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Condo-hotel ordinance bad for
Perdido Key
by Dan Henderson
Published Pensacola News-Journal - Viewpoint: March, 31, 2007
I have just completed
reading the information Commissioner Grover Robinson sent out regarding
the proposed Escambia County condo-hotel ordinance, which would blur the
line between what is a hotel room and what is a condominium.
I'm troubled by his stance.
Why does he feel that a bad idea for Pensacola Beach, in his district, is
a great idea for Perdido Key, which is not in his district? Are our
interests so different that what is good for one is not good for the
other?
Essentially, the ordinance would allow a hotel room to be converted into a
hotel if the owner decides there's more money in it.
But is a lodging unit with no time or size restriction not a condominium
at Perdido Key just because you call it a hotel? And if this is the wrong
land use for Pensacola Beach, as condo units will not fit under the
current cap, why is it OK for Perdido Key, where the same restriction is
in place? Was not the cap on Perdido Key instituted to prevent just this
kind of action by previous commissions?
Is a "building where all of the units are sold individually to individual
owners, and those owners are then allowed to lease their properties
through a coordinated management group" not a condominium? If it is, then
it must fall under the density and cap restrictions, whether it is on
Pensacola Beach or Perdido Key.
If Commissioner Robinson is under the impression there is no opposition to
this ordinance on Perdido Key, then he has not polled the residents of
that island. Just last year, a similar ordinance was withdrawn because of
widespread opposition.
The "significant differences" between Perdido Key and Santa Rosa Island,
many of which are at the heart of the opposition to its implementation on
Santa Rosa Island, are not that apparent.
Property owners of Perdido Key can have hotel development, which will
bring in more people, tourists and development, without the need to skew
the cap numbers by allowing the hotel limits (1,000 lodging units under
current law) to be used by condo developers.
If no one from Perdido Key has expressed difficulty in allowing the
ordinance to go forward, perhaps Commissioner Robinson is closing an eye
to the residential population.
Was not the failed amendment to the comprehensive plan to eliminate the
current building caps, introduced last year, not a good enough message
that overdevelopment of Perdido Key is not in the best interests of the
quality of life issues there?
Santa Rosa Island's "unique mix of commercial (which includes retail,
hotel and condominium), single family residential and conservation" is not
unique. And we all agree that both islands need more hotel rooms.
However, for Robinson to say "the areas of focus are not the right areas
within this ordinance" is a blatant attempt to circumvent the density
restrictions for condo development by using hotel lodging units. It is
unfair. It is underhanded. It is dishonest in its approach.
Excluding Santa Rosa Island from this debate is no better an idea than
excluding Perdido Key. Both islands deserve utmost consideration, as what
is good for one applies to the other.
I agree with Robinson that "there is an opportunity available for us to
get this right." This ordinance is not it!
Dan Henderson is a
resident of Perdido Key and serves on the board of the Perdido Key
Association. |
