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www.amisun.com
THE SUN
JULY 21, 2021
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
FDEP is expected to rule this week as to whether the vacant lot seaward of the Jordans’ beachfront home can be developed.
HOMEOWNERS: Launch Preserve AMI FROM PAGE 11
a final order granting respondent Campbell’s application for a CCCL permit to construct a singlefamily residence and associated structures seaward of the CCCL,” Ffolkes stated in her written recommended order. On June 29, Wendy Jordan sent a lengthy email to Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy and all five city commissioners in which she stated, “We learned before closing that our property was involved in litigation between several contiguous waterfront neighbors. We gladly joined the fight. We first offered the lot owner $2 million for her lot. She asked for $2 million and we met to set the closing and then she turned it down.” Regarding Ffolkes’ recommended order, Jordan’s email noted petitioners had 15 days to respond to what she referred to as “the unbelievable ruling.” Jordan’s email also said, “For those who immediately say, ‘You are only worried about your view,’ of course I am worried about my view. We paid for a view and it is in jeopardy of change that will ruin the wildlife.” When contacted on Thursday, July 15, an assistant in Ffolkes’ office who wished to remain anonymous said FDEP can follow, modify or discard the judge’s recommended order, and she wasn’t aware of a final order being issued. On Friday, July 16, The Sun received an email response from FDEP Press Secretary Alexandra Kuchta that said, “The department will issue a final order in this case on or before July 22.”
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Elm Avenue ends near the Jordans’ driveway and does not currently provide direct access to 105 Elm.
CITY PERMITS ALSO NEEDED
If permitted by FDEP, the development of 105 Elm would also require building permits issued by the city of Anna Maria. On July 6, Anna Maria Building Official Luke Curtis sent an email to Murphy regarding that property. Curtis’ email referenced a determination of buildable area report for 105 Elm that the Environmental, Consulting & Technology (ECT) firm provided the city in February 2018, before the current dispute ensued. His email noted the ECT report said, “This buildable area determination should only be considered a preliminary determination to ensure consistency with the city’s zoning regulations, but the extent of development on this lot will ultimately be decided by FDEP.” Curtis’ email noted the ECT report said, “The parcel was previously situated much closer to the Gulf of Mexico relative to its current position. The significant tran-
sition in the beach profile is due to beach renourishment projects that were initiated in 2002 in an effort to remediate major erosion along the shoreline. FDEP will need to evaluate whether the lot would be considered primary dunes which are subject to more restrictions.” Curtis’ email states the buildable area determinations provided by ECT – and a separate report provided by the ECO consulting group in 2017 – both confirm 105 Elm is a buildable lot per city code. Elm Avenue currently ends near the Jordans’ driveway and does not provide direct access to 105 Elm Ave. “Prior to any building permit being accepted by the building department, a development permit, along with a site plan – including but not limited to access to the property, sewer, water and electric utilities – will need to be considered and approved by the city commission,” Curtis noted in his email.
