The Town Commission and especially the community should be wary of two changes to Longboat Key’s building and zoning codes that threaten to undermine the integrity of the island.

Will this contribute to the beauty of the town and its eventual prosperity and quality of life? It would be foolhardy to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Both controversial code changes were approved by the LBK Planning and Zoning Board. Commision to debate on Tuesday

The Longbeach Village Association has advocated for resident-only permit parking along the public roadways of the Village.

The conflict arrives in the form of hundreds, if not thousands, of diners who descend on two of the island’s most popular eateries – The Mar Vista and The Shore. The nexus of the conflict is born from the fact that the two restaurants are surrounded by the otherwise quiet residential Village.

To allow a restaurant to be leased and open late into the evening is simply cramming a commercial operation that has little to do with Selby other than serving as financial fuel.

It is the parking garage and restaurant that has drawn criticism primarily from neighbors to the east and south who believe they will be impacted by an increase in activity at the site

Selby contends the expansion is wise from a land-use standpoint. Neighbors disagree, citing the plan’s height, rooftop restaurant and commensurate traffic.

“A constitutional ordinance has to have some boundaries and discretion in how it’s applied. It cannot allow you all to have a roving set of beliefs imposed on a project.”

City Attorney says park deed may not preclude symphony hall as allowable use.