Marco Island City Council members will have a lot to consider in the next couple of months when it comes to growth with controversial expansion proposals from Rose Marina and the Hilton Marco Island Resort and Spa heading their way.
The city’s planning board is sending both proposals to council with recommendations for approval, but neither was unanimous, and the Hilton’s proposal comes with a rare recommendation from city staff to deny it.
The planning board spent about three and a half hours on July 31 on the Hilton’s request for a rezoning to planned unit development (PUD) from residential tourist. The proposal is to more than double the number of Hilton’s beachfront rooms to 626 from 310 with a second tower, a parking garage and a second restaurant on its approximately 10.5 acres. The board voted 3-2 to send the matter to Marco Island City Council with an approval recommendation…