Independent recommendations yield solid foundation for solving Anna Maria Island's challenges

The Urban Land Institute tackled a beast in its study of the issues that have bedeviled Anna Maria Island municipalities, residents and visitors for years. The elected leaders of Holmes Beach, Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach have for the most part been stymied in the search for solutions. But in delivering its recommendations on Friday, ULI panelists left a strong framework of ideas.

Among island challenges, traffic gridlock and parking nightmares stand front and center with giant vacation rental homes a close second, as is well known throughout Manatee County. Daytrippers and vacationers flood the seven-mile barrier island with vehicles, especially when the county population balloons during season. But, as the ULI found, most of AMI's workforce hails from the mainland.

AMI is the pivotal player in Manatee County's strong tourism industry, and islanders and mainlanders alike should unite in adopting strategies so paradise is not lost. AMI would be wise to engage mainland residents in the discussions -- to win buy-in and avoid the us-versus-them controversies of years past where cries of elitism rang out.

One ULI panelist addressed a key issue: "You might think it would be better if fewer people would like Anna Maria Island, but I want to submit that that's not a winning strategy," Klaus Philipsen, president of Baltimore-based ArchPlan Inc., told islanders and other stakeholders Friday.

The ULI, a nonprofit education and research organization, zeroed in on land use from a variety of angles. Addressing the island's inviting "Old Florida" vibe, Philipsen promoted the idea of place-making -- by preserving the good places and creating new good and memorable places, even with the island built out. This is the key strategy that Bradenton adopted several years ago, and after the creation of Riverwalk the city continues to work on other initiatives. Manatee County is also actively engaged in place-making.

As an "Old Florida" community with an existing identity, the key to additional AMI place-making is simple -- so island officials and residents can entice visitors into becoming good stewards by creating stronger attachments to the island. The inconsiderate lack of care or concern for the island by some visitors is one of the chief complaints from residents.

One ULI suggestion is a historical designation to preserve community character, described as "funky and eclectic -- part of your charm."

The ULI study, gleaned from dozens of interviews with stakeholders, did not separate the three municipalities into their own islands with their own recommendations for improvements. Panelists came up with broad approaches, especially on place-making.

Plus, wouldn't it be wise for the cities to join hands for a common approach that solves the problems instead of creating new ones? For example, Holmes Beach officials have been discussing a policy for a parking permit program for residents and property owners that allow vehicles with stickers to park along streets and rights of way. Might that not send more visitor cars into Anna Maria?

As the ULI presentation noted, "The community must collaborate to shape growth in their favor."

While one of the ULI panelists stated that free parking is not a right, it is most certainly a tradition on AMI -- one the county embraces. Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker attended a recent Anna Maria commission meeting to refute rumors that county commissioners have held a discussion about paid parking on AMI on county property, specifically at Manatee Public Beach. Coquina Beach at the southern tip of the island is also a major county-owned destination.

As the saying goes, the devil's in the details on paid parking.

On another transportation idea, the institute brought up free bus service from a free mainland parking lot. We'd like to see an impact study to ascertain viability.

While the ULI presentation is in the books, available online at www.amiuli, the full report of all recommendations won't be available for a few months. Then the tough work will begin.

This story was originally published March 5, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Independent recommendations yield solid foundation for solving Anna Maria Island's challenges ."