Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/190797
Sarasota News Leader October 11, 2013 Page 17 FINDING THE PROBLEM greater density [of patrons] and parking becomes a problem. You could put linear "People seem to want restaurants," said DID frontage limits [in place]." Chairman Ernie Ritz, himself a long-time bar and restaurant owner. "Restaurants gross $2 Rapport recommended a workshop with plan[million] to $4 million a year," he added. "A ning and zoning staff, the city attorney and dress shop might show maybe $600,000." the BID and DID boards "to identify problems Both Ritz and Rappaport kicked around vari- before we hire a planner." Connolly said that ous schemes. "There used to be a 500-foot rule was exactly the focus of the meeting under between bars," said Ritz. Connolly replied, way. "And that was based on studies to show the Tim Litchett, city director of development and adverse economic impact of the proliferation neighborhood services (which includes planof bars." ning and zoning), told the boards he believed "We could use the permitting process," sug- incentives rather than penalties were the key. gested Rappaport. "Restaurants have a much "I heard about four different communities Until its next-door neighbor, Napoli's, was razed this summer, the Daiquiri Deck in Siesta Village was in a line of several restaurants. It is right across the street from Gilligan's Island Bar & Grill and Lelu Coffee Lounge. Photo by Norman Schimmel