It is pretty discouraging to be in this yo-yo game of now we will and now we won't. It is no wonder that the Perdido Key residents, owners, investors are disgusted with the local leaders who can't seem to get a handle on what it will take to move forward. We are stuck in place no matter what side of the issue you are on. Here is the article that ran in the PNJ this morning.
Perdido building caps may remain
County would have to widen road to support development
Escambia County likely will call off its pursuit to remove building caps on Perdido Key — for now.
"I believe we have the legal basis for our claim. The caps should be removed," said Commission Chairman Gene Valentino, who represents the district that includes the Key. "But I think there are certain factual findings that we can not substantiate effectively. We have to sharpen our pencil further on our case to DCA."
The votes are there to support his move to back off for now. Commissioners Mike Whitehead and Grover Robinson IV have said they'll support it.
The DCA's concerns remain the same, claiming the county hasn't identified a funding source to pay for widening Perdido Key Drive, demonstrated adequate sewer capabilities for added development or proved the Perdido Key beach mouse will be protected.
Perdido Key resident Dan Henderson, 68, has the same concerns and is glad to hear the board may call off cap removal. They don't have the infrastructure to support it," he said. "It isn't that we are against growth. We are for controlled growth on Perdido Key." Henderson said he isn't convinced the narrow barrier island needs a wider road.
On the other side of the issue are residents like Alison Davenport, a real estate broker specializing in Perdido Key. " The caps should be removed and let concurrency be the driving force for development, as it has been everywhere else in Florida," Davenport said. "But I agree the road should be widened, regardless ... to make it safer."
Whitehead said DCA likely will want to see road contracts in place before it will support removing the cap, and that could mean two to three years before the county submits a new DCA request. Valentino thinks it will be much sooner. "It will be months. It better not be years. Otherwise the economic consequences to our citizens will be graver," Valentino said.
A maximum of 7,150 dwelling units — houses or condominiums — and 1,000 hotel or motel rooms are allowed on Perdido Key. The county's proposal would have increased it to 12,000 dwelling units and 2,500 lodging units.
One of the primary issues that has stymied its DCA request is a Florida Supreme Court ruling last year. The ruling initially put the brakes on the county's intent to issue $135 million in bonds for the widening of Perdido Key Drive, Theo Baars Bridge, and Sorrento Road from Blue Angel Parkway to U.S. 98. The court since reversed its decision, allowing property tax for such projects paid for through tax-increment financing to proceed without voter approval. Gregory Strand, who filed the 2006 lawsuit, has asked the court to reconsider, making the TIF unavailable until it's resolved.
Want to go?
- WHAT: Escambia County commissioners' public hearing to consider not pursuing removal of building caps on Perdido Key for now.
- WHEN: 5:33 p.m. Thursday.
- WHERE: Commission chambers in the Escambia County Governmental Complex, 221 Palafox Place, downtown Pensacola.
My Comments:I think the majority in any case are in favor of the four lane Perdido Key Dr as a step towards safer roads, safer biking and walking. The speeders and weavers I see every morning on my walk that encompasses only a short portion of Perdido Key Dr (from Palacio to Johnson Beach Rd) are reason enough to get the 4 lane done ASAP with walking and biking trails up on curbs. With school bus routes running down Perdido Key Dr I am shocked that the Sheriff's are not camped in the shoulders. I invite Gene Valentino and the Escambia Sheriff's Department out to the Key any weekday morning to see the dangerous situation with drivers along the curve leading to the bridge.
Your comments??????
