Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/143399
Sarasota News Leader July 12, 2013 Page 68 sands of dollars in fees" the businesses oth- Safety also is a key concern, she noted, beerwise would have to pay if they pursued the cause, for example, pedestrians are not the only ones who use the Village sidewalks; bicyspecial exception process. clists are common, too, and they have to steer PRIMARY CONSIDERATIONS around people on foot. People with disabilAlthough he, like Smith, had not heard the ities who use the sidewalks are yet another County Commission discussion on July 9, consideration, she added. Cooper told the News Leader he and Gaddie Further, the discussions need to produce clear already had talked about the proposed SKOD answers about what the business owners bechange with Luckner, the SKA president. "We lieve would be most helpful to them, Luckwere waiting to see what happened [during ner said. The property owners also have to be the commission session]," he continued, and involved; many proprietors do not own their that action meant the associations needed to storefronts, she pointed out. proceed with seeking the best solution for everyone. Additionally, Luckner said, business owners as well as County Code Enforcement staff "Ideally," he said, "we would have a unified should easily understand any changes. voice" in approaching the County Commission with a proposal. During the July 2 SKVA meeting, board member Jeff Madden, owner of Beach Bites, raised Cooper continued, "I understand the compelling business reason … for outdoor displays." the point that a Code Enforcement staff memHowever, he added, "We don't want [the Vil- ber already had weighed in, wondering whethlage] to be a place that is uninviting. … We er the business owners even could find conhave to maintain the character of Siesta Key sensus to proceed with proposed changes to the SKOD. as it stands." Still, Cooper said, he had visited other com- "I have not heard any objection from anybody munities that had "found ways to [provide out- at all," Gaddie told Madden. door displays] tastefully." Past SKVA President Russell Matthes emphaHe added, "We want to do our due diligence," sized that the island associations would work so no one would find unwelcome surprises in together on the project. "That's what we've the future, if the SKOD was amended. "I think always done," he said. The objective, Matthes there needs to be a lot of explanation and dis- added, was not to let outdoor displays spoil the Village atmosphere. Nonetheless, he pointcussion about it." ed out, "We're supporting the businesses. We Luckner told the News Leader the most im- want you guys to be successful." portant focus of the discussions should be a resolve that any change to the SKOD "does not As co-owner of the Daiquiri Deck and the Daiincrease the intensity or density of use" in Si- quiri Deck Raw Bar, Matthes added, "I'd love esta Village. "It's about being good neighbors." to be able to display stuff outside." %