The City Commission’s latest meeting stretched from morning proclamations to a brisk evening of quasi-judicial hearings, development approvals, and legal debate — marking the first appearance of newly hired City Attorney Mayanne Downs, who joined the dais following her contract approval last month. The meeting also saw Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover attend via Zoom after an extended medical absence, heading off a potential move to remove her from office under the City Charter’s attendance rule.
Morning Session: Calls for Transparency, Reform, and EV Investment
Residents opened the day with public comments urging greater transparency and sustainability.
City Commission candidate Harry Russell called for converting the city’s vehicle fleet to electric to offset the $507,000 spent annually on fuel, while Joe Walsh pushed for public comment to occur during, not before, agenda discussions.
John Flaherty denounced ongoing fallout from the “Bubba Bozo” corruption scandal, accusing City Hall of stifling public speech.
Chamber leaders Kerry Baker and Amber Shafer thanked the city for backing key tourism drivers like Fantasy Fest and Race World Offshore, which they said were vital for small businesses recovering from “a really tough 2025.”
Mayor Denise Henriquez issued multiple proclamations, including College of the Florida Keys Month, Tourism Appreciation Day, Veterans Day, and Glenwood Lopez Day, honoring a half-century of civic service.
The meeting also included employee service awards and a risk management briefing from Laura Bringle, who outlined the city’s $288 million in insured assets,
Finance Director Mike Turner proposed a non-ad valorem fire assessment to stabilize emergency funding. City Manager Brian Barroso provided updates on projects including the Higgs Beach transfer, Diesel Plant redevelopment, and Bayview Park improvements.
Evening Session: Tropic Cinema, Ibis Bay Redevelopment, and Legal Clarifications
After a brief break, commissioners reconvened for quasi-judicial hearings. The first item approved a revocable license for six family-friendly film screenings outside the Tropic Cinema — continuing a four-year partnership with the city. The vote was unanimous.
The commission next approved a major development plan and landscape waiver for the Ibis Bay redevelopment at 3101 North Roosevelt Boulevard on a 7–0 vote. The project will convert the aging 81-room hotel into an 80-unit transient condominium complex with reduced restaurant seating, expanded green space, and improved traffic flow.
Attorney Greg Orpeza, representing the developers, described the project as “a more minimalist, eco-friendly rebuild.” Planning staff confirmed no variances were sought and praised the design for adding 15,000 square feet of pervious surface. Commissioners Sam Kaufman and Lissette Carey supported the plan, while urging the city and FDOT to address congestion near Sigsbee Road during school drop-off hours.
Ordinance Debate: Grand Jury Language and City Attorney Authority
Commissioners then debated an amendment to Chapter 90 of the Land Development Regulations concerning enforcement authority and the role of the city attorney.
Resident, planning board member and District IV candidate Sarah Compton warned that language allowing the city attorney to give written consent on planning interpretations could perpetuate “the culture of intimidation” described in the Monroe County Grand Jury’s 2025 report.
Downs, addressing the issue directly, said the clause was consistent with Florida law and intended to ensure coordination between planning and legal staff — not to give unilateral control. “The lawyer who signs this has his or her license at stake,” Downs said, emphasizing that accountability already exists through state oversight and the Florida Bar.
Growth Management Director Patrick Wright confirmed that the ordinance had been reviewed multiple times by the Planning Board and modified to reflect both the grand jury’s recommendations and staff concerns. Commissioners unanimously approved the change 7–0.
Tattoo Parlor Regulations Tightened
Commissioners also voted unanimously to amend zoning rules for tattoo establishments, refining separation requirements that determine where new parlors can operate.
The revised ordinance — a second reading of changes to Section 122-1543 of the Land Development Regulations — clarifies that tattoo studios must maintain minimum distances from schools, churches, and other tattoo businesses. The update aligns city code with modern land-use standards while maintaining Key West’s intent to prevent over-concentration of parlors in the historic district and tourist corridors.
Planning staff said the changes streamline permitting and provide clearer guidance for new applicants seeking to open or relocate tattoo studios in commercial zones.
Late Items: Redevelopment Boards and Appeals
After approving the tattoo ordinance, the commission postponed one zoning item to Dec. 2 and reconvened as several subsidiary boards — including the Caroline Street/Bahama Village CRA, Naval Properties Redevelopment Authority, and Board of Adjustment — each approving consent agendas with no dissent.
During the Board of Adjustment session, the long-running Herrera family appeal over transient rental licenses at 902 Truman Avenue resurfaced. Planner Ben Gagnon argued against reinstatement, citing a 2001 affidavit relinquishing the licenses and 24 years of non-transient receipts.
Attorney Van Fisher and planner Owen Trepanier countered that the licenses were historically transient and sought reinstatement under a proposed compromise to deed-restrict one unit for workforce housing. Downs advised that the commission’s authority in an appeal is limited to the existing record. The matter was recessed for further discussion.
The commission will next meet on Thursday, Dec. 11 at City Hall.
