• While I am not in favor of the County relocating the Downtown Central Library and have informed the County Commissioners of this, in the event a sale transpires, I request that you do not rezone the property.
• A large commercial building on this site would impact vehicular traffic and foot traffic in an area that already struggles to handle the amount of traffic it currently has. How will the Planning be changed to handle this traffic.
• We already have a projected building being built at the end of 1st Avenue W (Westminster). This will bring additional traffic to the area.
• While financially, rezoning may make sense from a developer’s standpoint, the developer is not the one living in the area and will not be the one who will have to deal with the consequences of such a building.
• Will the Planning Commission take into consideration the impact of a large commercial building on this property? Not only from a traffic perspective but from providing services such as sewer, water, etc.
• The City has always considered what a high rise would look like from the Bradenton’s waterfront perspective and has limited other buildings in the same area to no more than 8 or 9 stories. Why the sudden change?
• Most people I talk to say the reason they came to Bradenton is because it does not have high rise buildings and some have actually moved away from Sarasota to Bradenton because of this.
• Rezoning this property would allow a building of up to 20 stories to be built next to residential buildings. Residents close to the Library property will have to endure construction noise and dust for years during a major new construction. Possible damage to buildings in close proximity is another issue due to drilling of pilings that would be required for this type of construction. What are the plans to reimburse/ repair damages to surrounding buildings from this type of construction?
• The Planning Commission is relied upon to determine what is best for our community. I don’t want Bradenton to become a Sarasota, just because that’s what other Cities are doing. We have a beautiful Riverwalk and family oriented downtown. Please encourage the City to maintain that aspect.
• In close proximity, the Library and Bishop Museum provide an excellent hub for educational programs for students. Bishop Museum and the Library have the potential to become powerful partners for STEM/ Entrepreneurship educational programs. Currently, both are within easy walking distance from hundreds of apartments east of the Green bridge. STEM/Entrepreneurship programs will have a lasting long-term impact on growth and vitality of Bradenton's economy -- much more than yet another hotel or a few more restaurants in this area will. This is another reason to encourage the County Commissioners to leave the library where it is.
• In terms of overall plan, the Central Library provides a good transition buffer between the quiet residential community west of Spring Hill Suites and the noisy commercial area east of Spring Hill Suites. Locating a large commercial building close to residences is inconsiderate and unconscionable. If the sale does transpire, I would hope the City could have some type of control over the type of building that is placed on the property, which would also be a reason to leave the zoning at a T-5.