Commissioners vote against development
 

BY TIMOTHY O'HARA Citizen Stafftohara@keysnews.com

The Key West City Commission on Tuesday night unanimously voted against developing Wisteria Island.

The decision came after more than an hour of comments from local residents, the majority of them opposing the project, including former Mayor Sheila Mullins.

"There are no benefits to changing the county comprehensive plan and other land use rules," Mullins said of what a proffered development proposal would require. "It will set a bad precedent. I can't believe this proposal has gotten this far with this many flaws."

The Bernsteins and the owners of the neighboring Sunset Key have partnered on a project that could bring as many as 35 homes, 35 transient rental units with 85 bedrooms and a series of shops and restaurants on the island. A mooring field also is proposed as a benefit to the area.

Monroe County has the ultimate say, as the island is under its jurisdiction, but it is Key West that would have to supply utilities and other city services to the island less than five miles offshore. Zoning currently limits development on the island to two buildings; the owner and developers are asking the county to change its land use plans to allow the additional development.

The city commissioners themselves spoke very little on the proposal.

Island owner Roger Bernstein and his representatives had asked the City and the County commissions to delay voting on the project until they could provide both entities with more information.

"There will be many more county and city meetings that delve deeper into the technical aspects of the project," said land planner Owen Trepanier, who is representing Bernstein.

The County Commission is scheduled to vote on the project today at its meeting, which will start at 9 a.m. at the Harvey Government Center in Key West.

In other business:

• Also on Tuesday night, the City Commission agreed to ask voters in November whether the city should spend up to $500,000 to buy 4.75 acres of land on Flagler Avenue in New Town to be used as a park.

Chabad Jewish Center of the Florida Keys and Key West owns the property; Rabbi Jacob Zucker previously planned to build a synagogue there. The temple bought the property in 2004 for $675,000, according to the Appraisal Co. of Key West Inc.

The ballot referendum was proposed by City Commissioner Barry Gibson, who said he already has received pledges from local architect Bill Horn to design the park, Charlie Toppino and Sons construction company to clear the property and Waste Management to haul away the debris for free.

But Commissioners Teri Johnston and Mark Rossi, who voted against the referendum, voiced ongoing concerns about maintenance and construction costs for the park.

"It takes a lot of money to build a park and a lot of money to maintain a park," Rossi said.

tohara@keysnews.com