ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — After months of tense deliberations, city commissioners and the mayor approved the expansion of the Sirata Beach Resort's property in a 3-2 vote.
The project would update the resort's hotel and pool and build two new hotels; a 10-story, 290-room JW Marriot hotel and an 8-story, 130-room Hampton Inn will be built on the resort's property with conditions.
Here is when the decision came down to approve the expansion:
The original vote set for Feb. 21 was postponed at the end of last week's 10-hour meeting. If it didn't pass, Columbia Sussex, the hotel management company based out of Kentucky, had a plan B ready to go.
After deliberation last week, an attorney representing the developer told commissioners if the plan doesn’t get approved they will move forward with a mixed-use development under the 'Live Local Act'. That wouldn’t require rezoning or hearings with the city commission.
Despite that, the plan was approved tonight after several conditions were approved for Columbia Sussex to follow during the construction of the plan.
In contrast to previous meetings, the vote finally came down nearly six hours in, preventing the commission from having to deliberate into the midnight hours. No public comment regarding the Sirata's proposal was taken, but neighbors still found ways to voice their opinion about redevelopment in St. Pete Beach during public comment. None of them could be considered by the commission during their deliberation before voting.
Residents expressed their concerns about traffic and safety with an increase in tourism and an impact on the environment. They said the expansion would change the character of the beachfront community that has been quaint for years.
The commissioners who made the decision were appointed after four of five city commission members resigned following a new state law that would require them to disclose their financial information was put in place.