The Town has a month to respond. Plan to redevelop Colony at stake.

It was contentious. It was harrowing. But after two days of deliberations, Unicorp’s application to build a St. Regis Hotel and Residences received a 5-2 vote of approval for the first of two readings by the Longboat Key Town Commission last week.

Without an epidural and with numerous suitors claiming ownership rights to the offspring, Unicorp President Chuck Whittall, his attorneys and the members of the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board came together this past week and consummated the first signs of new life at the decrepit 17.6-acre site.

Politicians are a lot like babies: they must be changed often and for the same reason.

What are the three biggest challenges facing the Town Commission and how would you address these issues?

Unicorp submits revised site plan minus 24 units after contentious meeting. Final site plan heading to P&Z for review.

I find it hard to get on bandwagons. I do not wave flags for developers, but at the same time I see the rallying cry of Preserve Longboat Key as short sighted. Both are right and wrong.

The developer will lose 26 units if the change is not approved. He calls it a “penalty,” opponents say, “Keep the Code.”

The proposed legislation from Steube would nullify any existing local regulations of vacation rental homes.

Commission to decide on project, courts to decide on ownership interests.