| More Issues of Concern Heard on the Neighborhood Circuit |
Key West Citizen Editorial 7/22/08
Despite the spin, 'it's about building a hotel'
For months we have observed the razzle-dazzle public relations effort by the
representatives of New Stock Island Properties, the developer of a proposed Safe Harbor
project known as Old Island Harbor.
The developer is seeking special consideration from the county and state for a variance to
use 22 acres of submerged bay bottom to calculate density, a variance from the 35-foot
county height restriction, and a grant of 300 "free" building allocations in order to build a
luxury hotel that could also serve as a hurricane recovery center.
This well-organized public relations team is spearheaded by local attorney David Paul
Horan and includes Ty Symroski, former Key West and Monroe County planning director,
development consultant Owen Trepanier, Michael Eveleth, general manager Old Island
Harbor, and Jim Hendrick, former Monroe County attorney. They also employed the
services of Burson-Marsteller, a global public relations firm, headed by legendary spin-
doctor Mark Penn, who was chief strategist for Hillary Clinton's campaign.
This team's PR spin began in earnest by outlining positive benefits of the project:
Preserving the working waterfront, providing a refuge of last resort for emergency
personnel and recovery workers, preserving commercial and recreational boating, and
stimulating the economy. The spin included "improving the quality of life of local
fisherman, tradesmen and artisans."
While we agree that these are admirable goals we wonder why very little mention was
made of their true agenda: development of a luxury resort hotel for mega-yacht owners,
who typically fly-in and need luxury accommodations.
Apparently the density and height variances and the Rate Of Growth Ordinance exemption
for 300 units are necessary to make this hotel financially feasible. It is estimated that
purchasing the needed ROGO allocations on the open market could cost between $30
million and $40 million. The developers have also disregarded the Navy's concern that this
hotel would be in a high-noise zone, in the flight path of military training flights. That
makes it a very noisy luxury hotel.
This spin wobbled to a stop when the state Department of Community Affairs rejected the
County Commission's new amendments to its comprehensive land-use plan —
amendments that included everything the developer requested. The DCA stated that the
amendments are not "in compliance" with Florida Statutes, and the county did "not
adequately address potential encroachment issues with the naval air station."
Undaunted by the DCA ruling, Horan reactivated the spin machine in Tallahassee, now
staffed with high-powered lobbyist and former state attorney general Jim Smith and former
DCA attorney Sherry Spies, in an attempt to persuade DCA Secretary Tom Pelham on the
value of their hotel. This apparent attempt to influence the DCA process generated
controversy and a sharp rebuke from Richard Shine, DCA's assistant general counsel.
During Thursday's settlement negotiations, the DCA responded by reaffirming its
opposition to the ROGO exemption and the use of submerged bay bottom to calculate
density for the hotel. We concur.
State Emergency Management Division Director Craig Fugate recently demonstrated the
ability to decode the spin machine when he said: "It's not about building a public safety
building. It's about building a hotel."
Director Fugate, we couldn't have said it better ourselves.
— The Citizen
Despite the spin, 'it's about building a hotel'
For months we have observed the razzle-dazzle public relations effort by the
representatives of New Stock Island Properties, the developer of a proposed Safe Harbor
project known as Old Island Harbor.
The developer is seeking special consideration from the county and state for a variance to
use 22 acres of submerged bay bottom to calculate density, a variance from the 35-foot
county height restriction, and a grant of 300 "free" building allocations in order to build a
luxury hotel that could also serve as a hurricane recovery center.
This well-organized public relations team is spearheaded by local attorney David Paul
Horan and includes Ty Symroski, former Key West and Monroe County planning director,
development consultant Owen Trepanier, Michael Eveleth, general manager Old Island
Harbor, and Jim Hendrick, former Monroe County attorney. They also employed the
services of Burson-Marsteller, a global public relations firm, headed by legendary spin-
doctor Mark Penn, who was chief strategist for Hillary Clinton's campaign.
This team's PR spin began in earnest by outlining positive benefits of the project:
Preserving the working waterfront, providing a refuge of last resort for emergency
personnel and recovery workers, preserving commercial and recreational boating, and
stimulating the economy. The spin included "improving the quality of life of local
fisherman, tradesmen and artisans."
While we agree that these are admirable goals we wonder why very little mention was
made of their true agenda: development of a luxury resort hotel for mega-yacht owners,
who typically fly-in and need luxury accommodations.
Apparently the density and height variances and the Rate Of Growth Ordinance exemption
for 300 units are necessary to make this hotel financially feasible. It is estimated that
purchasing the needed ROGO allocations on the open market could cost between $30
million and $40 million. The developers have also disregarded the Navy's concern that this
hotel would be in a high-noise zone, in the flight path of military training flights. That
makes it a very noisy luxury hotel.
This spin wobbled to a stop when the state Department of Community Affairs rejected the
County Commission's new amendments to its comprehensive land-use plan —
amendments that included everything the developer requested. The DCA stated that the
amendments are not "in compliance" with Florida Statutes, and the county did "not
adequately address potential encroachment issues with the naval air station."
Undaunted by the DCA ruling, Horan reactivated the spin machine in Tallahassee, now
staffed with high-powered lobbyist and former state attorney general Jim Smith and former
DCA attorney Sherry Spies, in an attempt to persuade DCA Secretary Tom Pelham on the
value of their hotel. This apparent attempt to influence the DCA process generated
controversy and a sharp rebuke from Richard Shine, DCA's assistant general counsel.
During Thursday's settlement negotiations, the DCA responded by reaffirming its
opposition to the ROGO exemption and the use of submerged bay bottom to calculate
density for the hotel. We concur.
State Emergency Management Division Director Craig Fugate recently demonstrated the
ability to decode the spin machine when he said: "It's not about building a public safety
building. It's about building a hotel."
Director Fugate, we couldn't have said it better ourselves.
— The Citizen
| Once in a while, even th' paper gits it right! |
| But, oh what a remarkable dramatis personae, so to speak. Or is that a case of res ipsa loquitur? |
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