Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/264109
The County Commission on Jan. 9, 2013, turned down property owners Ronald and Sania Allen when they made a similar request for construction on the 162 Beach Road par- cel, along with a request for a variance to permit a residence on their 168 Beach Road lot. Commissioner Nora Patterson's recollections about the number of times she had seen those Beach Road lots flooded in the past were a key factor in the board's denial of the 2013 petitions. In a Feb. 7 letter to the County Commission, the SKA opposed the Allens' latest request in spite of changes in the design. The letter points out that the new proposal still involves a parcel "within a State of Florida defined area of Critical Beach Erosion (President Catherine Luckner's emphasis). While an accreted shoreline currently is noted [in the proposal], there is repeated history of rapid flooding and storm surge." DEBATING WHAT TO DO When Hines asked DeMarsh for clarification about how best to proceed after Merrill made his request, DeMarsh recommended Hines open the public hearing and then continue it to a time certain. Merrill explained that the latest date available among those he had received from staff was April 23. "We would be willing to go past that because it may take longer [to settle on a new plan]." Then Patterson said she had received a phone call from someone the previous evening ask- ing for confirmation about whether the public hearing would be continued. Patterson told Attorney William Merrill addresses the County Commission on Feb. 19. Photo by Rachel Hackney Sarasota News Leader February 21, 2014 Page 53