Embassy Suites Hotel "Phase II" Rears Its Ugly Head -- City of St. Augustine Beach Avoids and Evades Answers

The St. Augustine Record Sunday, May 13, 2018 reported the monstrous, obnoxious Embassy Suites will have 212 beachfront rooms, not the 175 approved by the City in the Final Development Order.

So I asked the City of St. Augustine Beach for documents.  

Before it replied, a pro-developer Record reporter wrote me, claiming it was a mistake, based on "old information," with reporter STUART KORFHAGE, Newsroom Lead and Supercilious Developer Fanboy, blaming the photographer for the bylined article's cutline.  

That dawg won't hunt, STEWIE:

-----Original Message-----

From: Korfhage, Stuart
To: Ed Slavin
Sent: Mon, May 14, 2018 2:11 pm
Subject: Re: Request No. 2018-121: Embassy Suites Code Enforcement investigation re: 212 room hotel, when only 175 rooms were approved by St. Augustine Beach PZB

Mr. Slavin, my apologies. There was some old information consulted when our photographer wrote this cutline. The hotel is 175 rooms. There should be a correction online and one in print tomorrow. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

-------------

Hint: while sometimes photographers write cutlines, editors and reporters are responsible for content.  Record photographer Peter Willott does excellent work.  I doubt the feeble explanation of Chief Developer Fanboy STUART KORFHAGE, notoriously known as a fawning amanuensis for developers: if STEWIE wrote it, the developer said it.  

Yet, Without any reporting or proper explanation, the Record tried to conceal Phase II with a "correction" on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, sans "explanation," viz:

  

After the cockeyed correction, controversial St. Augustine Beach City "Manager" BRUCE MAX ROYLE admitted additional rooms would be part of "Phase II," which will involve public hearings and consideration by PZB and Commission.   See below 

Does EMBASSY SUITES covet the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Park for Lebensraum, expansion and phony putative P3 ("Public Private Partnership)?

Stay tuned.  

The thick plotten 

Something's rotten.  

In St. Augustine Beach, 

where developers make City Hall their beach,

where our government is their trampoline.  

City "Manager" BRUCE MAX  refuses to answer questions or disclose documents about "Phase II." 

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, PZB rejected one part of "Phase II," an ugly 48 foot tall, 4000 square foot outdoor water slide park not in the Final Development Order.  PZB rejected it, unanimously.   The issue now goes to Commission for a possible vote.

It's getting curiouser and curiouser at St. Augustine Beach 

Last year, then-PZB member DAVID ASHLEE BRADFIELD told Rose Bailey that KEY INTERNATIONAL planned to invest $60 million in the County Pier Park property, which it does not own.  

No details have ever been released on meetings between two successive City mayors, County Administrator, City Manager and KEY INTERNATIONAL owners. 

FBI take note: Looks like another possible RICO case.

Who's running for St. Augustine Beach City Commissioner?  How about encouraging ethical people of good will, who lack conflicts of interest or biased blinders.

-----Original Message-----

From: Ed Slavin
To: jpwilson ; thomas.ingram ; mroyle ; niesen.kasdin ; braddatz ; blaw ; hardwickra ; pzjwest ; pzesloan ; pzdthomas ; pzjholleran ; pzrodom ; pzsmitherz ; pzhlongstreet ; pzkkincaid ; pzcpranis ; jane ; comugeorge ; commkostka ; comdsamora ; comrobrien ; commengland
Sent: Wed, May 16, 2018 5:33 pm
Subject: Re: Request No. 2018-121: Embmssy Suites Code Enforcement investigation re: 212 room hotel, when only 175 rooms were approved by St. Augustine Beach PZB

Mr. Royle wrote about it.  Where are the records?

With kindest regards, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

904-377-4998

www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

www.edslavin.com

-----Original Message-----

From: Jim Wilson <jpwilson@cityofsab.org

To: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com

Sent: Wed, May 16, 2018 4:58 pm

Subject: Re: Request No. 2018-121: Embmssy Suites Code Enforcement investigation re: 212 room hotel, when only 175 rooms were approved by St. Augustine Beach PZB

Mr. Slavin:

There are no documents responsive to your request. There has been no application for Phase II of that development. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin
To: thomas.ingram ; mroyle ; niesen.kasdin ; braddatz ; blaw ; jpwilson ; hardwickra ; pzjwest ; pzesloan ; pzdthomas ; pzjholleran ; pzrodom ; pzsmitherz ; pzhlongstreet ; pzkkincaid ; pzcpranis ; jane ; comugeorge ; commkostka ; comdsamora ; comrobrien ; commengland
Sent: Wed, May 16, 2018 4:32 pm
Subject: Re: Request No. 2018-121: Embassy Suites Code Enforcement investigation re: 212 room hotel, when only 175 rooms were approved by St. Augustine Beach PZB

Good afternoon:
1. Please provide today all of the information Mr. Royle has on "Phase II." 

2. As James Madison said:

"A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."

Thank you.

With kindest regards, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

904-377-4998

www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

www.edslavin.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Beverly Raddatz <braddatz@cityofsab.org>
To: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
Sent: Wed, May 16, 2018 3:24 pm
Subject: RE: Request No. 2018-121: Embassy Suites Code Enforcement investigation re: 212 room hotel, when only 175 rooms were approved by St. Augustine Beach PZB

Mr. Slavin:

You have received all the documentation on Embassy Suites we have.

Sincerely,

Beverly Raddatz, MMC

City Clerk

City of St. Augustine Beach

2200 A1A South

St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080

(904) 471-2122  FAX (904) 471-4108

Confidentiality Notice: This Email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited, and that you have received this E-Mail and any accompanying files in error. You should notify the City of St. Augustine Beach immediately by replying to this message and deleting them from your system. City of St. Augustine Beach does not accept responsibility for changes to E-Mails that occur after they have been sent.

-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
To: thomas.ingram <thomas.ingram@akerman.com>; mroyle <mroyle@cityofsab.org>; niesen.kasdin <niesen.kasdin@akerman.com>; braddatz <braddatz@cityofsab.org
Sent: Wed, May 16, 2018 12:09 pm
Subject: Re: Request No. 2018-121: Embassy Suites Code Enforcement investigation re: 212 room hotel, when only 175 rooms were approved by St. Augustine Beach PZB

Good afternoon:

Please send me the documents on Embassy Suites "Phase II."  
Thank you.

With kindest regards, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

904-377-4998

www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

www.edslavin.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
To: mroyle <mroyle@cityofsab.org>; braddatz <braddatz@cityofsab.org>; blaw <blaw@aug.com>; jpwilson <jpwilson@cityofsab.org>; hardwickra <hardwickra@sabpd.org>; pzjwest <pzjwest@cityofsab.org>; pzesloan <pzesloan@cityofsab.org>; pzdthomas <pzdthomas@cityofsab.org>; pzjholleran <pzjholleran@cityofsab.org>; pzrodom <pzrodom@cityofsab.org>; pzsmitherz <pzsmitherz@cityofsab.org>; pzhlongstreet <pzhlongstreet@cityofsab.org>; pzkkincaid <pzkkincaid@cityofsab.org>; pzcpranis <pzcpranis@cityofsab.org>; jane <jane@janewestlaw.com>; comugeorge <comugeorge@cityofsab.org>; commkostka <commkostka@cityofsab.org>; comdsamora <comdsamora@cityofsab.org>; comrobrien <comrobrien@cityofsab.org>; commengland <commengland@cityofsab.org>
Sent: Tue, May 15, 2018 1:13 pm
Subject: Re: Request No. 2018-121: Embassy Suites Code Enforcement investigation re: 212 room hotel, when only 175 rooms were approved by St. Augustine Beach PZB

Dear Mayor George, Vice Mayor England, Commissioners, Chair West, PZB members, and Messrs. Royle, Law, Wilson & Hardwick:
1. Please provide me today with all responsive documents on your investigation and actions in response to Request No. 2018-121.

2. Who examined the current plans to count the number of guest rooms?

3. Who counted the rooms that have been built on site?

4. Where would Embassy Suites "Phase II" be built -- on our beach volleyball courts, part of the county's St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier Park property?  

5. What other demands is Embassy Suites making in secret meetings with the city and county?  

6. Please explain, as Mr. Royle's cryptic e-mail raises more questions than it answers.

7. Please place this matter on tonight's PZB agenda, where Embassy Suites already has an item scheduled for discussion on a variance:

NEW BUSINESS

VII A. Final Development File No. FD 2018-02, for amendment to Final Development Order File No. FD 2015-01 for a spray playground with a maximum height of the uppermost splash equipment at approximately 28.5 feet on the northeast corner of the Embassy Suites site in a commercial land use district at 300 A1A Beach Boulevard, Thomas O. Ingram, Akerman LLP, Agent for Key Beach North LLC, Applicant.

Thank you.

With kindest regards, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

904-377-4998

www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

www.edslavin.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Max Royle <mroyle@cityofsab.org>
To: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>; Beverly Raddatz <braddatz@cityofsab.org>; blaw <blaw@aug.com>; Jim Wilson <jpwilson@cityofsab.org>; Robert Hardwick <hardwickra@sabpd.org>; Jane West <pzjwest@cityofsab.org>; Elise Sloan <pzesloan@cityofsab.org>; Zachary Thomas <pzdthomas@cityofsab.org>; Jeffrey Holleran <pzjholleran@cityofsab.org>; Roberta Odom <pzrodom@cityofsab.org>; Steve Mitherz <pzsmitherz@cityofsab.org>; Hester Longstreet <pzhlongstreet@cityofsab.org>; Kevin Kincaid <pzkkincaid@cityofsab.org>; Chris Pranis <pzcpranis@cityofsab.org>; jane <jane@janewestlaw.com>; Comm George <comugeorge@cityofsab.org>; Comm Kostka <commkostka@cityofsab.org>; Comm Samora <comdsamora@cityofsab.org>; Comm O'Brien <comrobrien@cityofsab.org>; Comm England <commengland@cityofsab.org>
Sent: Mon, May 14, 2018 3:20 pm
Subject: RE: Request No. 2018-121: Embassy Suites Code Enforcement investigation re: 212 room hotel, when only 175 rooms were approved by St. Augustine Beach PZB

The recent newspaper article that the Planning Board approved a final development plan of 212 rooms for the Embassy Suites isn’t correct. The Planning Board approved 175 rooms. The additional rooms could be proposed as Phase II of the development, if the owners decide to proceed with Phase II. If they do, their application will first go to the Planning Board for a recommendation to the City Commission. The Commission will then hold a public hearing to decide whether to approve Phase II and the additional rooms. At this time, with Phase I not yet completed, there is no proposal from the Embassy Suites owners for Phase II.

Max

From: Ed Slavin [mailto:easlavin@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, May 14, 2018 1:36 PM
To: Beverly Raddatz <braddatz@cityofsab.org>; Max Royle <mroyle@cityofsab.org>; blaw@aug.com; Jim Wilson <jpwilson@cityofsab.org>; Robert Hardwick <hardwickra@sabpd.org>; Jane West <pzjwest@cityofsab.org>; Elise Sloan <pzesloan@cityofsab.org>; Zachary Thomas <pzdthomas@cityofsab.org>; Jeffrey Holleran <pzjholleran@cityofsab.org>; Roberta Odom <pzrodom@cityofsab.org>; Steve Mitherz <pzsmitherz@cityofsab.org>; Hester Longstreet <pzhlongstreet@cityofsab.org>; Kevin Kincaid <pzkkincaid@cityofsab.org>; Chris Pranis <pzcpranis@cityofsab.org>; jane@janewestlaw.com; Comm George <comugeorge@cityofsab.org>; Comm Kostka <commkostka@cityofsab.org>; Comm Samora <comdsamora@cityofsab.org>; Comm O'Brien <comrobrien@cityofsab.org>; Comm England <commengland@cityofsab.org>
Subject: Re: Request No. 2018-121: Embassy Suites Code Enforcement investigation re: 212 room hotel, when only 175 rooms were approved by St. Augustine Beach PZB

Dear Mayor George, Vice Mayor England, Ms. West, PZB members, Ms. Raddatz, and Messrs. Law, Hardwick, Wilson and Royle:
1. The City of St. Augustine Beach Planning and Zoning Board approved 175 guest rooms for Embassy Suites.

2. A front page photo caption-cutline with yesterday's (May 13, 2018) St. Augustine Record article, "BIG CHANGES AT THE BEACH," reported there would be 212 rooms. 

3. Is that correct?

4. Please initiate SAB City Commission, PZB, Code Enforcement, ethics and criminal investigations.

5. Please send me all documents associated with these investigations and legal recommendations.

6. Please place this urgent compliance item on the agenda for the May 15, 2018 PZB meeting, the May 16, 2018 Code Enforcement meeting, and the June 4, 2018 City Commission meeting.

7. Since the monstrous Embassy Suites structure may have been built illegally, will you please explore alternative legal remedies, including ordering it be torn down, as Florida precedents have provided since 1934?

Thank you.

With kindest regards, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

904-377-4998

www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

www.edslavin.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
To: braddatz <braddatz@cityofsab.org>
Sent: Mon, May 14, 2018 11:06 am
Subject: Re: Request No. 2018-121: Embassy Suites

Thank you.

With kindest regards, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

904-377-4998

www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

www.edslavin.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Beverly Raddatz <braddatz@cityofsab.org>
To: Ed Slavin <easlavin@aol.com>
Sent: Mon, May 14, 2018 9:34 am
Subject: RE: Request No. 2018-121: Embassy Suites

Mr. Slavin:

Attached are the documents requested.

Sincerely,

Beverly Raddatz, MMC

City Clerk

City of St. Augustine Beach 

2200 A1A South

St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080

(904) 471-2122  FAX (904) 471-4108

Confidentiality Notice: This Email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited, and that you have received this E-Mail and any accompanying files in error. You should notify the City of St. Augustine Beach immediately by replying to this message and deleting them from your system. City of St. Augustine Beach does not accept responsibility for changes to E-Mails that occur after they have been sent.

From: Ed Slavin [mailto:easlavin@aol.com]
Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2018 8:55 AM
To: blaw@aug.com; Beverly Raddatz <braddatz@cityofsab.org>
Cc: Comm Kostka <commkostka@cityofsab.org>; Comm George <comugeorge@cityofsab.org>; Comm Samora <comdsamora@cityofsab.org>; Comm England <commengland@cityofsab.org>; Comm O'Brien <comrobrien@cityofsab.org>; stuart.korfhage@staugustine.com; sheldon.gardner@staugustine.com; craig.richardson@staugustine.com; jim.sutton@staugustine.com
Subject: Request No. 2018-121: Embassy Suites

Good morning:

1. Please send me City of St. Augustine Beach PZB minutes, exhibits, packet materials and signed development order for Embassy Suites hotel. 

2. Please include the record on 212-room approval and associated required parking spaces or structures.
Thank you.

With kindest regards, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Ed Slavin

904-377-4998

www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com

www.edslavin.com