SARASOTA OBSERVER
YourObserver.com
Last year, Selby Gardens shared conceptual renderings of the built-out master plan. Although elements have been adjusted, the overall scope remains largely the same.
Courtesy rendering
David Conway
Selby President and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki speaks at an Oct. 3 community workshop at City Hall.
plans to respect that feedback and those concerns to make this a project that is a good result for not only Selby, but for the community at large,” Cianfaglione said. The master plan calls for the construction of a parking garage, greenhouse complex, welcome center and a restaurant. The maximum height of the parking garage would be 75 feet, while the greenhouses would peak at 50 feet. Selby intends to close the segment of Palm Avenue that cuts through its property as part of the proposal. The organization estimates the project will cost $67 million. Cianfaglione highlighted ways in which Selby tried to address resident concerns. Drivers leaving the garage would be steered toward Mound Street, an effort to reduce the traffic on Orange Avenue. Selby is also working on making changes to the layout on Orange and Mound in hopes of minimizing the possibility of traffic backing up on both roads. Selby reduced the footprint of the parking garage and greenhouses, pushing the garage back from the street in the process. A chiller plant moved to the interior of the parking garage, designed to minimize sound traveling across the Hudson Bayou into nearby residential areas. With those changes in mind, Selby argued the scale of the project was a good fit for the site’s location — along Mound Street, just south of the edge of downtown. “It is really appropriate with the context of this corridor,” Cianfaglione said. BIG-PICTURE ISSUES
Some of the audience at the meeting offered appreciation for the work Selby has done in response
to resident feedback. The majority of speakers, however, said they were still worried about the proposal. Traffic, in particular, was a leading concern. The master plan includes two points of entry and exit: one on Mound Street and one on Orange Avenue. Cianfaglione said Selby would post a noright turn sign at the Orange Avenue exit, but those in attendance were skeptical drivers could be kept away from the neighboring residential areas. “I truly believe when your main entrance is on South Orange, that’s where they’re going to go,” said Robert Bernstein, president of the Bay Point Park Neighborhood Association. Some residents said the proposed capacity increase alone — the number of on-site parking spaces would double from 250 to 500 — will strain the road network in the area. “We already have traffic calming because of the problems, and we already have queuing issues right there,” Hudson Bayou resident Susan Chapman said. Bernstein said there seemed to be a fundamental gap between residents and Selby officials. Although Selby adjusted its plans in response to some neighborhood concerns, the continued presence of an entry and exit on Orange Avenue speaks to a larger issue: Many residents think the scope of the Selby renovations is not compatible with the surrounding area. “This is going to be more than a botanical garden,” Bernstein said. “This is now being turned into a commercial destination.” Cianfaglione said those involved with the master plan were confident residents’ traffic
ZONING CHANGES As part of the effort to renovate the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens campus, the organization is working with the city on crafting a brand-new zoning district tailored to the implementation of the master plan. The proposed MSBG district includes height and usage restrictions designed around the details of the master plan itself. The concept is designed to address resident concerns about the once-considered use of a downtown zoning district for the property. Allowed primary uses include botanical gardens operations, commercial parking, a restaurant and basic utilities. The zoning district would also allow accessory uses that are “consistent with similar cultural institutions,” including but not limited to event space, boat docks, gift shops and parking garages.
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018
fears would not become reality. He said Selby Gardens needed to balance neighborhood desires with other important factors, such as safety and a logical traffic flow — as well as the organization’s long-term financial health. “We’ve done significant work to make sure this site functions from a neighborhood traffic perspective,” Cianfaglione said. A representative for Selby’s closest residential neighbor reacted positively to the master plan itself, but he sought assurances the botanical garden would actually stick to the proposal. Robert Lincoln, an attorney for the Hudson Crossing condominium’s resident association, asked Selby to try to find ways to more strongly codify the specifics of the master plan with the city. That would make Hudson Crossing residents more comfortable with the plan, he said. “As this goes forward, anything we could take off the table that creates uncertainty is helpful,” Lincoln said. “If we can figure ways we can guarantee the plan you’re putting forward is the plan that’s getting built, I think the people from Hudson Crossings are going to be OK with this.” Other questions focused on building height, sound, lighting, security and more. As Selby continues through the development review process, the organization pledged to continue to communicate with residents — though without significant changes, it’s unclear how many can be won over in support of the plans. “All I’ll say at this point is there’s a groundswell of what we think is opposition,” Bernstein said. “We’re not going to sit idly by.”
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