SRIA Ignores Locals Concerns About High Density Development

Ah the memories. Pensacola Beach, a comfortable and quiet place to live or visit.

Or at least it used to be.

That cozy and comfortable small town feel could soon change now that the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) on Wednesday, November 9th 2005 approved a zoning change for the owners of Clarion Suites Resort and Convention Center. The zoning change will allow Clarion to build a hotel on land that was previously zoned for medium density, with a high density development. What this means is that Clarion will build more units per acre than was previously allowed.

But there may be one more chance that it won't happen. The zoning change request still has to be approved by the Escambia County Commission.

The SRIA apparently didn't listen to the 800 + people who either signed a petition or emailed in concerns against the zoning change. Let's hope the Escambia County Commission is much wiser. After all they do work for us, the people. The same people that voted them in office can just as easily vote them out.

Pensacola Beach at one time had a seaside small town feel to it, but I guess that is about to change. Want to see what Pensacola Beach is about to become? Just take a look at Destin or Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for glimpse of the future.