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Key Biscayne's Sonesta Hotel debate
by: Candy
May 24, 2006
While growth and revitalization abounds all over South Florida, the voices of the current residents are being heard loud and clear. Many are standing stead-fast in their vision of how and what their communities should be. The impending vote tonight could settle the debate over Key Biscayne's Sonesta Hotel. The debate centers over whether the Sonesta Hotel and Resort on Key Biscayne should redevelop its waterfront property to include six towers. Plans for the complex -- which include 277 units in six 15-story buildings -- have already drawn widespread opposition in Key Biscayne. In total, there would be 277 units -- 240 hotel and 37 condo. That's 15 fewer than currently in the Sonesta building, though some residents fear the new complex would generate more traffic and visits because the units are larger and some are condos.
Tuesday's vote centers on a zoning issue. Council members will be asked to evaluate whether the village should weigh plans for ''planned unit developments'' that are five acres or more.
The village already has some such developments -- the Grand Bay, Key Colony and the Ocean Club -- which were granted permits by Miami-Dade County before the village incorporated in 1991. But Key Biscayne currently doesn't have the criteria in its zoning code to evaluate those types of projects -- like the one the Sonesta is proposing -- because it didn't expect anymore when it incorporated, said Jud Kurlancheek, the village's building, zoning and planning director.
While Key Biscayne residents recognize that the Sonesta's redevelopment is a sensitive subject and that people are passionate about it, the demand for units is strong and will effect neighboring property values positively. The major concern though is maintaining the spirit of Key Biscayne which is one of tranquility and not one of sprawl and traffic which residents fear will be the result of the current proposal.
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