Here's what to know about a proposal to revitalize part of Casey Key Resorts

Earle Kimel, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Updated ·2 min read
This rendering shows the four proposed hotel suites that would be built on the bay side of 221 Casey Key Road, replacing six rooms that are not used for guests.
This rendering shows the four proposed hotel suites that would be built on the bay side of 221 Casey Key Road, replacing six rooms that are not used for guests.

Clarification: This neighborhood workshop was postponed because of a scheduling mishap. Once a new date is established it will be legally advertised again.

CASEY KEY – The owner of Casey Key Resorts is looking to replace a dilapidated six-unit portion of the hotel located on the bay side of the resort at 221 Casey Key Road with four hotel room suites.

Neighbors can weigh in at 6 p.m. Tuesday at a neighborhood workshop hosted by Vision Planning & Design.

Why is the workshop needed?

The existing hotel structure was built in 1949, when the surrounding zoning allowed for hotels. The current zoning is for residential single-family housing and the hotel is allowed as a non-conforming use. The owners are seeking a special exception to technically eliminate the non-conforming use classification and allow the owner –  Bradenton-based Coconut Beach Resorts LLC – to replace the older units with new ones.

“Here’s an opportunity to replace six dilapidated structures with four new, modern structures that meet FEMA codes and are going to look nice,” said Brian Lichterman, owner of Vision Planning & Design.

This rendering shows the four proposed hotel suites that would be built on the bay side of 221 Casey Key Road, replacing six rooms that are not used for guests.
This rendering shows the four proposed hotel suites that would be built on the bay side of 221 Casey Key Road, replacing six rooms that are not used for guests.

The hotel is on a quarter-mile strip of Casey Key Road that is home to smaller hotels.

What is Casey Key Resorts?

Overall, Casey Key Resorts consists of an 11-unite hotel on the Gulf of Mexico and the under-used bayfront property. It was purchased by the current owners from On the Beach Casey Key LLC in the same March 2021 transaction in which it purchased the former Ramada Inn at 1660 S. Tamiami Trail from Osprey Hotel Properties LLC for $15.4 million.

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The 145-room hotel in Osprey is operated as Casey Key Resorts Mainland and features Chef Rolf’s Continental Kitchen.

When is the neighborhood workshop?

The workshop on the proposed Vasey Key Resorts Revitalization Plan Special Exception Petition will be conducted at 6 p.m. Feb. 13 on Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9336201982?pwd=VHA0dFZ3dVRmNS91UUJQeU1qemdLUT09&omn=89837312152, Meeting ID: 933 620 982, Password: 123456 and Call in Phone Number 1-646-876-9923.

For more information, contact Lichterman at 941-780-4166.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Neighborhood Workshop to highlight Casey Key Resorts revitalization