‘Wild’ reception. 10 AsTheWorldTerns welcome spring. 6
Luck of AMI. 22
Saving Mr. Chris. 23 MARCH 21, 2018 FREE
VOLUME 26, NO. 21
AM pier in state budget for $750K. 3 Another Bert Harris lawsuit, LSA takes off in HB, DOT’s Cortez Bridge decision due. 4
Meetings
On the government calendar. 4
Op-Ed
Islander editorial, reader letters. 6
10-20 YEARS AGO
Looking back. 7
PAC forms to pursue changes in Bradenton Beach. 8
Happenings
Community announcements, activities. 10-11 Make plans, save a date. 12-13 Ferry company pursues Holmes Beach port. 14 BB dismisses preservation ordinance. 18 AMI street map. 20-21 Churches make Holy Week plans. 24
Obituaries. 25 Streetlife. 26 For clean beaches, water, air. 29 Bins Be Clean cleans up in center games. 30 Cold fronts enhance sheepherding. 31
ISL BIZ
Longboat chamber awards honors. 32 AME happenings. 33 CLASSIFIEDS. 36
The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992
www.islander.org
Treehouse owners re-up city setback challenge
By Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter Just as the fate of the treehouse couldn’t seem bleaker — losing in the u.S. Supreme Court and facing an enforcement action to demolish the structure — its owners are back on the offensive, restoking a case dormant since 2013. “It’s a constitutional case now,” said Lynn Tran, who, with husband Richard Hazen, built the beachfront structure in 2011 in an Australian pine on the beachfront. Tran and Hazen reside at 103 29th St., Holmes Beach, where they also operate four short-term vacation rental units. The owners’ attorney, David Levin, of Icard Merrill of Sarasota, filed a motion for a summary judgment March 13, asking the 12th Circuit Court to declare a city ordinance on the setback “null and void in its entirety,” or to strike such portions that conflict with state law. The treehouse was built in the setback for the erosion control line on the beach, where, according to state law, no construction can occur. The motion argues the city overstepped its constitutional powers by imposing a 50-foot setback and enacting a local law with more than one subject. State laws governing beach and shoreline preservation, including activities seaward of the coastal construction control line not causing “measurable interference,” leave
Paul Hecht soaks in the sun March 13 on a bench near the treehouse on the beachfront at 103 29th St. in Holmes Beach. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell no room for Holmes Beach to regulate the treehouse, according to Levin’s motion. “The city of Holmes Beach Code clearly forbids structures which the Florida Legislature has authorized under section 161.053(11)(b),” he writes. In addition, Levin argues the ordinance improperly contains “four separate and distinct subjects,” running afoul of a state law limiting local laws to one subject. The ordinance contains a comprehensive amendment, including the setback regulation, and several changes in zoning for individual Firefighters Andrew Powers and Andrew PLEASE SEE tREEHOuSE PAGE 8 Lauricella on WMFR’s marine rescue boat. Islander Photo: Bianca Benedí
With ALS, WMFR extends coverage
By Bianca Benedí Islander Reporter West Manatee Fire Rescue firefighter Andrew Powers is giving a tour of the living area used by the crew at Station 3 in Holmes Beach around 10 a.m. March 7, when his cellphone starts beeping. Simultaneously, a green LED light flashes from the ceiling, indicating a medical dispatch is coming in. Overhead, speakers announce the call. “Eighty-second Street,” Powers reads aloud from his cellphone as he sprints into The sun rises March 13 over the anchorage adjacent to the Historic Bridge Street Pier in action. PLEASE SEE WMFR PAGE 2 Bradenton Beach. Story, see page 3. Islander Photo: ChrisAnn Silver Esformes