TREASURE ISLAND – City commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 17 to approve a pair of variances that opens the door for The Club at Treasure Island to add a second building.
The first variance allows for an additional 10 feet in height while the other eliminates 113 parking spaces that would normally be necessary under RM-15 residential medium zoning.
Bill Edwards, owner of the club, 400 Treasure Island Causeway, said he plans to spend between $7 million and $8 million on the two-story, 34,745-square-foot building that will face east and immediately north and west of the current building.
Plans call for the elimination of 10 tennis courts and additional parking under the new building.
“The proposal calls for 162 parking spaces on-site in addition to the current 188,” said Paula Cohen, a senior planner for the city. “There will be 54 spaces under the new building, the elimination of 10 (of 14) tennis courts and a reconfiguring of the current parking.”
Commissioner Gail Caldwell wondered if the number of parking paces would be enough for two banquet facilities.
“What concerns me is the lack of parking we have when we have an event,” said Caldwell. “Now we’re going to have a larger building to draw more people. I’m concerned we’re not going to have enough parking.”
Edwards explained that there would be only one banquet facility and it would be in the new building. The current building, he said, would be reconfigured with three bowling lanes and a movie theater.
Parking will not be an issue, he said.
“Seventy-five percent of our members walk to our club,” Edwards said. “Those that do drive, come with a friend or three or four in a car.”
During the quasi-judicial public hearing on the variances, eight residents spoke. Six were in favor of the project and two against it.
“This is another element and jewel to our city,” said Patricia Hubbard. “It would be a good investment in our city, especially during this time of tough economic times.”
Some aired concern over whether sound would stay inside the building during concerts.
“The sound will stay inside,” said Edwards. “I’m willing to pay to make this work out because this is an absolute good thing for the city of Treasure Island. It takes the pressure off the main building and it’s something that’s needed.”
Commissioner Alan Bildz asked project agent Kevin Dunn if soundproofing would be necessary. Dunn said he didn’t anticipate any sound issues outside the building.
Bildz also asked Dunn if additional insulation would be added to which Dunn said yes.
The original 22,900-square-foot clubhouse on the property was built in 1973 at Treasure Island Yacht and Tennis Club.
In 2005, the club was granted variances for 15 feet in height and a reduction of 162 off-street parking spaces. As a result of the variance granted, the site was required to have 188 parking spaces.
The clubhouse was demolished and in 2007 a new 27,561-square-foot building was completed, allowing for the necessary parking spaces.
The new building, when complete will house up to 600 people for banquets and up to 700 for concerts.
In other action, commissioners:
• Delayed a vote until Feb. 7 on a resolution allowing a beach sand-sculpting event during the Republican National Convention in Tampa. The delay was necessary to finalize costs for hiring additional law enforcement personnel for security. The event is proposed by the Treasure Island Chamber of Commerce, which would incur all expenses.
• Passed a resolution allowing Brent Palmer of Oceanus Slides to add a Rock Climbing Wall and Mobile Air Jumper Combo on the beach behind Treasure Island Gulf Front Park. Terms of the 3-year contract allow the business to operate year-round, seven days a week, 11 a.m. to sunset.
• Passed a resolution to spend $11,990 from the police forfeiture fund to investigate traffic homicides.
• Approved $50,540 for two new 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles from Bartow Ford. The city will receive $18,500 in trade-in value on two 2007 Ford Expeditions.
