What Clearwater's Saying: Changes Could Come to Beach by Design

Clearwater Patch readers shared their thoughts about how recent city council opposition to a developer's hotel plans could bring changes to the guidelines for Clearwater Beach development.

City council members opposed plans to develop a 150-foot-tall Hampton Inn and redevelop the Quality Inn, which would have meant using hotel rooms from a special density pool developed as part of Beach by Design.

Here is what some readers had to say:

Randy Watson: "This is exactly why it is so hard t have a business on Clearwater Beach. The City makes it impossible to get approved and change the rules all along the way. They say oh we aren't enforcing that right now and as soon as you do it they fine you and threaten to pull your license. No Signs except for resturants and boutiques. They are exactly the ones who don't need signs as their building are painted with their trademark identifiers.. Small businesses can only use 30% of a window which turns out to be so small you can't see it! This council is not looking out for Clearwater Beach, rather them on selves who live there. Start working on the Pier 60 2 weeks before Spring Break? Closing Mandalay 11 months staring now before Spring Break? Are they trying to put us all out of business? Who approves the timing for projects that so drastically effects the seasonal business we might have ? This is just not right. Like the people who put up all money to plan to build Hampton for nothing but to get shot down by the same old council members that live on the beach."

"The beach is already ruined. Might as well finish it off," Joe Key commented on the Clearwater Patch Facebook page.

InsiderMyself: "This is not about creativity. This is about "SIZE". The voters decided, and we have codes regarding what kind of beach we want. No one wants to follow the rules, and parting up parcels to qualify, was a nice try. Now, the developers are angry. That's too bad. It's about time the developers came here after reading and accepting our building codes. Just look at Sand Key! A two foot surge, overtook the sewar system and sand key polluted beaches down to Treasure Island! Enough! All this over a few rooms? Then leave.....I am happy about this vote!"

What do you think? Post a comment below and join the conversation.

Related coverage:

• Opposition to Hampton Inn Plans Could Bring Changes to Beach-by-Design
• Neighbor Group to Oppose 15-Story Hampton Inn Plans for South Clearwater Beach
• 15-Story Hampton Inn Coming to South Clearwater Beach?

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