Planning Board Takes Up Variances, Golf Cart Rentals — Raj Mahal Still Absent
Board agenda includes pool setback request, hotel golf carts and transient license transfer, while two controversial properties remain off the docket.
The Key West Planning Board is scheduled to meet Thursday to consider a limited slate of zoning variances, conditional-use requests and a transient license transfer, while two closely watched and controversial properties once again do not appear on the agenda.
The board will convene at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at City Hall, 1300 White St., according to the published meeting agenda. The meeting will be streamed live on the City website.
Among the items scheduled for review is a variance request for 1208 Virginia Street, where the applicant is seeking relief from minimum rear-yard and side-yard setback requirements, as well as open-space standards, to allow construction of a swimming pool at a property in the Historic Medium Density Residential zoning district. The application has been postponed multiple times since October and returns to the board following continued neighborhood input.
The board is also set to consider a conditional use permit for 2801 North Roosevelt Boulevard, (Parrot Key Resort) where an applicant is seeking approval to rent six golf carts at an existing hotel in the General Commercial zoning district. The request follows earlier discussion at the Development Review Committee and includes comments from utilities and transportation staff.
Another agenda item involves a request to transfer a transient rental unit and its associated license from 525 Simonton Street to 533 Whitehead Street, shifting the license from a Historic Neighborhood Commercial property to a Historic Residential Office property within the Appelrouth Business Corridor. The transfer would move the unit across zoning districts under the city’s transient licensing framework.
A proposed text amendment to the city’s land development regulations — which would have expanded staff-level authority over the approval of easements involving city-owned property — has been formally withdrawn and will not be considered by the board.
Notably absent from the agenda once again, also missing is any item related to the Harris Avenue property associated with former city building official Raj Ramsingh, despite ongoing scrutiny over permitting and enforcement issues tied to that site.
Public comment is scheduled before board discussion and adjournment, providing residents an opportunity to raise concerns not formally listed on the agenda.
The Planning Board serves in an advisory capacity to the City Commission, with its recommendations often shaping future decisions on zoning, development approvals and land-use policy across the city.