Smooth sailing for Hyatt Regency Coconut Point water ride

A key Bonita Springs land-use board brushed aside objections from an environmental activist and recommended City Council approval of a proposed water slide attraction at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point hotel at Pelican Landing.

The Board of Land Use Adjustment and Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously to recommend the required change to the city’s land use ordinances. Environmental activist Barbara Craig urged the board to reject the recommendation because too little study had been done of the impact on endangered coastal species.

Executives with a Hyatt Hotels Corp. operating unit told the board that the new pool and water slide would include land currently designated as an overflow parking area. Brian Kramer, the hotel general manager, said the hotel doesn’t need the space for parking, and said spots have been freed up by reducing the number of spaces reserved for valet parking that have gone unused.

Jaqueline Genson, the city planning and zoning manager, said the agency recommended approval for the project, characterizing the project as one that is consistent with “outlying suburban” land use in the vicinity. The department made suggestions for visual barriers on the site that were accepted by Hyatt, she said.

Food trucks will also be allowed on the site, and will serve food to people at the attraction, which officials stressed is intended for guests only.

Kramer said the hotel is considering operating one of the food trucks itself, and leasing space for the second truck.

“Our intent is that if we want to to change up the menu we could have a different truck come in and serve a different type of fare,” Kramer said.

Craig, emeritus professor of government at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, noted the Hyatt Hotel Corp.’s public positions in support of sustainability, ranging from using environmentally conscious slogans on websites to urging guests to reuse towels and linens.

She said there needs to be studies of the impact on soil, vegetation as required, also with an assessment on the potential effect on surface water.

“It is not sufficient to state, without evidence, that this proposal will not adversely affect environmentally sensitive areas or natural resources,” she said. “I suggest that the most appropriate action for (Hyatt) in light of (its) trumped environmental stewardship ... is to withdraw the request.”

Approval was unanimous among the five board members, of seven appointees, who were present.

Kramer said after the meeting that the addition of a water slide is not a reflection in a change in the chain’s marketing of the Bonita property. He noted that the Hyatt regularly shuttles guests to the Lazy River attraction at its Coconut Plantation residence club.

The City Council will take up the proposed ordinance changes required for construction to begin, with a first reading of the proposal, but no action, scheduled for Aug. 5. A second session, required for a vote, will be held later this summer, on a date to be determined.