Gilligan’s desire for later music denied by county

Despite unanimous planning support, commissioners say no ... twice

It was quite an about-face for Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill, supported unanimously by planners one day, but denied by a 4-1 vote by commissioners the next. The business was seeking a special exception for live indoor and outdoor music to play as late as 2 a.m., when it stops serving at its Village location of 5253 Ocean Blvd. Currently, without such a permit, live music must end at 10 p.m.

On Jan. 31, the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners rejected that request. On Dec. 1, the Sarasota County Planning Commission had voted 5-0 in support of the new hours – in part because Gilligan’s had removed from its request the playing of live music in its rear parking lot, which faces a residential neighborhood. What seemed to cause the

By John Morton

commissioners their largest concern was the late hour being proposed.

Said Commissioner Joe Neunder, “2 o’clock – that’s pretty late in my book.”

Added Commissioner Nancy Detert, “The 2 o’clock is the dealbreaker, I think. The later time brings you a different clientele.”

Commissioner Mark Smith, a Siesta Key resident who held is election party at Gilligan’s, cast the only vote in favor of the late hours. However, when the attorney for Gilligan’s owner Scott Smith spoke of the establishment’s “20-year unblemished record of compliance,” Smith noted his research did find a citation for a noise violation in 2010.

Six residents spoke in opposition of the idea. Joseph Reagan was one of them, saying “It will be the Wild West” if such late-night hours are allowed.

“Can you sleep at 2 o’clock in the morning with a bad rendition of the Rolling Stones through your windows? No, you cannot,” he added. “How would anyone be expected to live in those conditions? You will turn Siesta Key into a honky-tonk. These people do not have the right to ruin the lives of the people who live there.”

Resident John Doherty said such a move would cause the county to be officiating what will seem like a fight. “You’ll have Gilligan’s in one corner, and the sleepless in another,” he said.

And Tim Haake, who said he hears music at his residence even

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Island Chatter

Beach Access 8 has new look Sarasota County employees have altered the pathway for Beach Access 8, and will do so for other access points in the coming months. A county press release on the matter:

“Earlier this year, the public pathway at Siesta Beach Access 8 was realigned to fall within the boundaries of public right-ofway and to stabilize and protect the vegetative dune habitat. With funding from the Tourist Development Tax, the beach access was surveyed, and the path was rerouted and lined with native plants. Visitors will notice new signage encouraging to stay on the new pathway which veers slightly to the right when heading to the Gulf of Mexico.

“Similar plans for Siesta Beach access points 3B, 9 and 10 are expected to begin later this year. While the pathways are being rerouted, they will be temporarily closed; however, all other public beach access points will remain open.”

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