The planning commission meeting today was eventful. We had a good show of support and presented the petition with a total of 224 signatures to the planning counselors. The Planning & Development Services Staff was also reluctant and unsure, due to a large amount of information left out of the proposed plans. Of course, Mr. Maloney's developers were eager in their resistance.

At the end of the meeting, Counselman Heap made a motion to DENY the plans. Unfortunately, one of Mr. Maloney's developers was allowed to return for comment AFTER his orderly timeframe was concluded. In this additional time, he merely told the counsel that they really wanted to not have their plans denied and having them denied would be "the worst thing for us today."

Unfortunately, Chairman Conerly then prompted Counselman Heap to withdraw his motion due to the additional commentary, though we are unsure what this commentary added. While the plans were NOT approved, they also were not denied yet. The Planning Commission decided to extend the hearing to a yet undetermined date so Mr. Maloney and his developers can produce more information.

The good news is that this is not a failure. Instead, this is an opportunity for us to continue gathering support and spreading the word. Mr. Maloney's developers describe this plan as "visionary," stating that it's "easy to be against something, and hard to be a visionary." However, we disagree. It's hard to take a stand against something you know is wrong. Yet still, you all have taken this step, and we are grateful. You all are visionaries for knowing what your community should be and fighting for it.

This proposed construction is NOT visionary. Visionary is not copying Sarasota beachfront structures found on every corner. Visionary is not trying to turn our community into another New York. The term "visionary" requires innovation while building upon the culture you are in, not forcing them into something you want to profit from.

We will be back at the next planning commission meeting. Help us be prepared to stop this proposal by continuing to share this petition and call Manatee County's Building & Development Services with your complaint! Additionally, we encourage residents unhappy with the break in procedure during the meeting (allowing Mr. Maloney's developer to add more commentary despite his time being expired) to contact the Planning Commission and request accountability at the next meeting.

Thank you all for your support. We're still in the game.