SRIA still ponders Hotel definition
BY LISA NEWELL Gulf Breeze News lisa@gulfbreezenews.com

As Northwest Florida marks the third year after Hurricane Ivan hit on September 16, 2004, Island Authority officials have yet to decide how to define a hotel on Pensacola Beach.

After the Island Authority deliberated for months to settle on a definition, Escambia County commissioners came u p with their own, more lax definition, and now Santa Rosa Island Authority Board members wonder whether they can further restrict the county's rules.

Island resident Gary Smith said "this is a mixed use beach, separated from Navarre and Perdido Key," which he stated are "condo canyons."

Smith told the SRIA to use the three basic tools afforded to them: building caps, lease restrictions and policies they set to ensure that hotels remain a part of the development mix on the island.

"The BCC sold out to developers," Smith said. "It's a blatant end run around the building cap" which will kill hotels, bars and restaurants, he added.

Many who are in favor of restricting condo development on the beach say that condominiums will attract more long term residents, who are more likely to dine in, and not support the tourist attractions on the island.

However, developers make more money by selling condominiums than hotels.

"This is a watershed moment on this beach," Smith said.

Former SRIA board member Kelly Robertson, who was removed by the commissioner who appointed him, told the board to stand up for what is right and not be tempted to parrot the same line as the commissioner who appointed him or her. He urged the board to act in the best interest of Pensacola Beach.

Additionally, board members discussed how bed taxes would be collected if an owner occupies the unit for an extended period of time.

Buck Lee, whose title was changed to Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Island Authority, pointed out that "the owner can't stay free, or we'll be out of funds," referring to the SRIA.

And, Lee said that when a hotel is torn down to rebuild another hotel, the fees generated will come to a stop unless an arrangement is worked out to collect the same amount of fees during the construction phase, which will be credited upon reopening the new hotel, which theoretically will collect higher fees.

Robert Rinke, one of the developers of Portofino and a staunch opponent to adding more condos to the beach, said he would be one of the first to apply for 366 additional "unlimited size" hotel leases if they become available. He is in the planning process for the final phase of Portofino Resort.

The issue will be discussed again at the committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 5 p.m.

At the September board meeting, the SRIA board voted to:

Lengthen the no wake zone in Little Sabine Bay

Allow Paddy O'Leary's to sublease unit 49A to Florida Pizza Kitchen

Approve a request by Herbie T's owner to sublease to Island Realty.

Additionally, the majority voted to grant $20,000 to the Mardi Gras festivities, with member John Peacock objecting.