A round of enthusiastic applause met the unanimous vote by the County Commission to approve the final set of zoning variances on the Vilano Beach Town Center’s development project.
"The only question I have is when are they going to start [building]," said Commissioner Ken Bryan.
The project, which has been in the works since the mid-1990s, has gone through a number of different design changes, the most recent of which was presented to the commission in January.
"We did unanimously approve the architectural design, non-zoning [variances] and site plan," said Irene Kaufman. "Not just because we all want a grocery store. We are excited about the project."
The planning division found the requests for non-zoning variances met the requirements of the county’s comprehensive plan and land development plan and recommended approval pending three conditions. The conditions included that the granting of the non-zoning variances is based on the approval of a grocery store on the site, the variances shall remain valid for two years and non-substanstive changes to the plan do not require another hearing before the board.
Karen Taylor, representative of the developer, Land Design South, said the plan in front of the commission had also been approved by the grocer.
Vivian Browning, Vilano Beach relator and member of the Vilano Beach Main Street Association, said the process has been a community effort.
"A grocery store was our goal," she said. "But we hope this will spur private economic development. We feel very positive about it."
Sasha Martin, North Shores Improvement Association board member said this has been a dream since 1997.
"We are so fortunate today to be very much closer to that dream fulfillment," she said.
Commissioner Bryan, who made the motion to approve the variances, said he was anxious to see other businesses in the area.
"[This] may be the turning point," he said. "Lets hope that this is the beginning of the race."
sarakaufman@pontevedrarecorder.com
(904)285-8831 ext. 16
July 23rd 2010 - 9:04PM