On Nov. 18, Treasure Island Commission started the process for a master plan, received a petition, and talked about the Thunderbird.
Photo by Gabriele Huffman
The Nov. 18 Treasure Island Commission meeting was full of surprises.
The Commission refused to let an applicant table their own issue, started the process for a master plan, and received a petition representing more than 10% of the Treasure Island population.
A Request
For the second meeting in a row, a resident looking to build along the beach asked the Commission to grant a variance that would allow them to build based on imminent updates to the erosion line and directly up to the current line. The Commission repeated their decision from the previous session to table the issue and not set any precedent by granting a variance when the new erosion line will make the point irrelevant.
Thunderbird Delays
The Thunderbird Beach Resort reconstruction was the first major agenda item of the night.
Despite a request by the Thunderbird to table the issue, District 4 Commissioner Arden Dickey said, “Our residents have spent months coming to meetings, sending emails, putting up signs in yards… they want this thing to come to a head and have a vote on this.”
The Commission voted 4-1 to hear the issue, with Mayor John Doctor as the lone vote in support of the Thunderbird’s request to delay.
Lauren Reubenstein, representing the Thunderbird, gave a presentation at the Nov. 18 Treasure Island Commission meeting.
Photo courtesy of the Thunderbird Beach Resort
Lauren Reubenstein, representing the Thunderbird, gave a presentation in favor of a pair of ordinances that would allow the City to approve increases in height and density for hotels and motels on a project-by-project basis.
The Thunderbird also gave an additional presentation promising the reconstruction had benefits for the community. These included bike racks and beach parking spaces, an ADA compliant path to the beach, and public access to the Tiki bar and restaurant at the Thunderbird.
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During public comment, resident Grant Smith questioned if “bike racks, beach access, and $12 piña coladas” were worth the exchange for an increase in height and density.
Additionally, resident Barbara Driscoll thought the community might be giving a bit too much favor to the Thunderbird.
“The Thunderbird hotel and location are iconic,” Driscoll said. “But the family that owned the Thunderbird for five decades sold it before the hurricane.”
Additionally, resident Derry Smith presented the Commission with a petition signed by 750 residents against an increase in height and density restrictions. Residents repeatedly criticized the Commission for not having a master plan for reconstruction of properties damaged by Hurricane Helene.
Resident Mark Hoey addressed concerns he had regarding Vice Mayor Tammy Vasquez at the Nov. 18 meeting.
Photo by Hailey Rank Changing the Commission’s Direction
Resident Mark Hoey had an issue with inconsistent messaging from Vice Mayor Tammy Vasquez. Hoey claimed that Vasquez had originally submitted a resolution “declaring the matter of the master plan closed and direct[ing] staff to expedite the development of planned development zoning.”
While Hoey finished his comment, Vasquez shook her head and claimed that was not what the resolution said. Loud whispers broke out around the room and the occasional calls of “liar!” rang out.
Vasquez addressed a public comment she believed was about her relationship with a developer in Madeira Beach.
“If I was trying to hide who my friends were, I would not post pictures at events with who my friends are,” said Vasquez. “I have lived in this community my whole life. I have friends in every possible aspect of every business. If I didn’t vote on something because I know somebody, I would barely vote on anything.”
Vasquez said that she was not opposed to a master plan and made a motion to take in quotes for a master planner. The motion passed 4-1 with Commissioner Arthur Czyszczon as the only vote against and the room broke into thunderous applause.
In a related vote, the Commission voted against the land use ordinances advocated by the Thunderbird in favor of a master plan. Mayor Doctor was the sole vote in favor of the amendments, resulting in an audible gasp from residents.
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