Developers scale down proposed Bight project
BY TIMOTHY O'HARA
Citizen Staff Writer
KEY WEST — Developers of
a controversial waterfront condominium complex have again scaled back
the number of proposed units and reduced the floor area and height of
the buildings in an effort to appease neighbors and city planners.
The developers, who call
themselves the Caroline Street Partners, submitted new plans Monday. The
group has changed the project several times in recent months after
neighbors complained about the height and scale of the project, dubbed
Watermark.
The developers also have
reduced the height of the roof line to below 35 feet for sections of the
condominium complex that will have flat roofs, and below 40 feet for
sections that have pitched roofs. They also have reduced the roof line
to 33 feet along Lazy Way, City Planner Ty Symroski said.
The four main buildings
would keep the original architectural designs that some in the community
say doesn't fit with the character of Key West.
"The layout isn't going
to change overly dramatically," Symroski said.
A group of neighbors have
been fighting the project for months, calling it a monstrosity and
saying it will dwarf all other buildings in the neighborhood.
"I'm cautiously
optimistic about the changes," said Peacon Lane resident Sheila Rowan,
who had yet to see the new design plans. "It would have to be enormously
different, but I'm hopeful."
The Caroline Street
Partners plan to build Watermark at the site of the Jabour's Trailer
Court in Old Town, near Caroline and Elizabeth streets. The condominiums
could be leased as short-term rentals to vacationers.
The complex will be
comprised of 32 large two-bedroom, two-bathroom condominiums. It will
feature a day spa and other amenities that give guests a "decadent" and
"luxurious" experience, a Watermark sales brochure states.
The developers have been
slowly scaling back the project to appease residents and city officials.
As part of a lawsuit settlement, the city initially agreed to allow 101
units on the site, but two resident groups and the state Department of
Community Affairs challenged the agreement. The city then approved an
agreement that calls for 32 short-term rentals on the Jabour's site, and
the transfer of 48 development units elsewhere.
Developers will ask the
city planning board for a special meeting, said Jim Hendrick, attorney
for the Caroline Street Partners. They hope to bring the issue before
the City Commission at its Sept. 21 meeting. |
