NSB board turns down proposal for hotel

Published: Monday, December 1, 2014 at 10:58 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, December 1, 2014 at 10:58 p.m.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH With a roomful of residents watching Monday night, the citys Planning and Zoning Board unanimously denied a key request by developers of a proposed new beachfront hotel.

The developers of the planned 146-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott, planned on about a 1.5-acre site just north of the Breakers Restaurant and Lounge, had asked that the citys coastal construction setback line be moved an average of 75.5 feet to the east to allow for the construction of the hotel building, a swimming pool and a deck.

The City Commission will have the ultimate say on the request.

The request was one of three associated with the hotel and considered by the board in front of at least 200 people at the Brannon Center, with the majority attending being residents opposed to the project. Many were associated with the fast-growing New Smyrna Beach Citizens for Smart Growth, wearing red to show their solidarity and some carrying signs with the words High Density Hotel crossed out, while also declaring Stop the Madness.

Its just too big, too close and too wrong, Lillian Conrad, one of the members of the citizens group, said of the hotel.

City Planning Manager Gail Henrikson, who recommended against relocating the coastal construction setback line, said construction of habitable portions of any buildings have been prohibited east of the line since it was established in 1985.

Glenn Storch, an attorney representing the developers of the hotel, said the citys coastal construction setback line is flawed.

Taking someones rights to use their property based on a faulty line without scientific basis is arbitrary and capricious, and what that does is open yourself up to all kinds of problems, he told the board.

Henrikson said if the City Commission votes against the request to relocate the coastal construction setback line it would force developers to scale back the intensity of their development.

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NSB board turns down proposal for hotel