The owner of the Club at Hammock Beach has grand plans for a small corner of beachfront property in Flagler County.
The 14-year-old “lodge” building will be replaced by a two-wing hotel with 197 rooms and convention space, managed by Salamander Resorts and Hotels.
But the $72 million project almost didn't happen.
With one commissioner out due to illness, the board voted 2-2 after more than seven hours of presentations and public comment, and the plan failed to pass.
Facing the denial, Salamander's president offered one last deal -- $500,000 would be used to purchase additional beach access, along with approximately an acre of land to expand Old Salt Park, which sits next to the resort. In fact, a large chunk of the park is now part of the resort's golf course.
That was good enough for commission Chairman Frank Meeker to switch his vote.
Michael Chiumento represents approximately 300 Hammock Beach property owners fighting the plan.
It was one of the strangest things he's seen in 20 years of practicing law, saying “lots of times county commissions, local governments get into a position where they ask for concessions, mitigation but rarely, if ever have I seen that happen after a denial vote and particularly at 2:30 in the morning.”
We spoke to many property owners throughout the day who said the toughest part was having to fight against neighbors and friends.
It's something Chiumento has seen during this battle too.
“I'm hopeful, knowing many of the people on both sides that after they've had an opportunity to vet their opinion that they are all respectful to each other and it'll go away and the community will get back together,” Chiumento said.
Yet he is not ruling out an appeal.
The resort's owner is now on the clock. The agreement states construction must begin in the next four years.