Increased Density for Transient LodgingThe Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce supports the increased density for transient lodging. At its Board of Directors meeting on January 8, it was requested that the mayoral candidates for the City of Clearwater be asked for their positions on this issue and that we inform our members. Below are their responses. This is candidate Rita Garvey's response: I can't and won't take a position on the increased density issue at this time as what little I know about it is from the newspaper. The Council has asked for more information, i.e. traffic. Until I am in office and receive more information about the impact, short term and long term, I won't prejudge the merits or lack of merits.
Rita This is incumbent Mayor Hibbard's response: My stance on increased hotel density is very clear, I am for it! We have had a conversion ratio for hotels to condos over the past years that is very detrimental to our tourist economy. I believe that this increase in density for hotels will preserve the over night accommodations we have and encourage other properties to redevelop as hotels. I am not merely stating this as my position but was the only elected official in the county that attended the board of county commissioners meeting to speak on behalf of the change. Our number one industry is tourism and I will continue to fight for its protection and improvement. Sincerely,
Frank V. Hibbard
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