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Redington Shores OKs road race
By WAYNE AYERS
| Article published on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 |
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REDINGTON SHORES – Half of the Halfathon road races requested by promoters of the Gulf Beaches Marathon were approved by the Town Commission at its June 10 regular meeting.
Permission was granted for a new Halloween Halfathon, to be run the last weekend in October. The commission took no action on a requested restart of the Holiday Halfathon, scheduled for the second Sunday in December.
Mayor Bert Adams said omission of the December race was probably due to an error. That event will be a topic on next month’s agenda, Adams indicated.
The request to run the races generated some controversy at last month’s commission meeting. Business owners complained that prior races had adversely impacted their businesses, and a resident cited the inconvenience caused by a partial blockage of Gulf Boulevard.
Kenny Baldanza of Kenny’s Korner, who spoke at last month’s meeting, was back, urging the commission to consider the negative economic impact of the race on local businesses. In response to a request from Commissioner Casey Wojcik, Baldanza said that he would follow up with the commission after the race in October to let them know how his business was affected.
Race promoter Chris Lauber countered with testimonials from race participants, telling how they had spent extra time and money in the area during their stay.
Before granting their approval, the commissioners voiced concerns about the race and the contract requested.
How long will Gulf Boulevard be tied up with the runners, asked Commissioner Tom Kapper. Only the southbound curbside lane would be closed for about two hours in the morning, Lauber replied.
Commissioner Lee Holmes suggested the five-year contract requested by Lauber be replaced with a one-year deal.
“Take it a year at a time,” Holmes said.
Vice Mayor John Branch concurred, saying “We need to try the one (race) and see how it works.”
Commissioner Casey Wojcik said he was concerned with the difficulty of getting across Gulf Boulevard during the race.
A five-year approval for the Halloween race was granted only after Mayor Bert Adams gave assurances the race approval would be reviewed each year.
Town attorney James Denhardt said “if you decide it creates a substantial hardship, you can rescind the approval.”
Lauber’s request for an exclusive contract was denied.
Following a unanimous vote to approve the race, Branch warned Lauber, “It’s got to be good.”
Creative code fit found for ‘amusement arcade’
The commission responded favorably to a request for an amusement arcade consisting of video games for kids, located at 18117 Gulf Blvd.
Approval for the business was given, even though the use is not specified in the town zoning code.
Denhardt said that obstacle could be removed by either changing the list of permitted uses to permit amusement centers, a lengthy process, or finding the closest permitted use. He suggested the business could fit as a “novelty store” or a “sporting goods store.”
Denhardt cited a past case where a local tarot card and palm reading business was permitted as a “professional service.”
Owner Maria O’Hare said her planned business would “be totally focused toward youth” and contain “video games or whatever kids are playing these days.” She assured Adams the place would not become a hangout. No alcohol or food will be served and patrons from an adjacent bar will not be welcome, she said.
She herself or another adult over the age of 21 will be on site at all times during business hours.
A unanimous vote approved O’Hare’s amusement arcade as a novelty store. Wojcik termed the venture “an ideal business for a beach community.”
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Article published on Tuesday, June 23, 2009
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