Allan Oakley
04-07-2007, 09:27 PM
Many of you may be familiar with Castaway Key bar at the entrance to the Lindfields estate. It was purchased one year ago by a British couple named Wendy and Frank Gibbons. They are in their second year of an L-1 Visa .The county has decided to close them down to the public tonight. How is this possible ?The last owners failed to tell them the zoning on this place said it was to serve the food and beverage needs of the Mango Key townhouses only. A disgruntled neighbor, from the rear of Lindfields ,discovered this and filed a petition with the county code enforcer saying they are serving the general public. That was true as the hundreds of Lindfields homes and hundreds more Island Club condo’s are within walking distance. While there last night we discovered young children playing in the pool, adults playing cards in the lounge and the Gibbons with a brave face in spite of their dilemma. This truly was a family style pub and it was a truly pleasant evening that impacted none of the immediate neighbors with noise or inconvenience. They serve beer and wine only along with very light meals. They have been told they can stay open but they can’t serve anyone that does not reside at Mango Key. They are meeting on Monday to discuss what to do with county officials .The irony here is the code enforcer renewed their liquor license only a few weeks back and then he came back informing them of the new restrictions. Living here I know that means a rezoning application which can take months.
What can you do ? The code enforcer will have to defer this to the county commissioners for discussion.
Go to this website: http://www.osceola.org
The county commissioner for western Osceola is Paul Owens.
His email is powen@osceola.org
I believe if people email or fax him he will listen. Testimonials of your experiences and why this would be a loss to the area. The Gibbons bought the lounge in good faith and they deserve some help. I know the 75 or more patrons last night will be writing or calling the county on Tuesday. Sure there are plenty of family style restaurants out there but not too many you can walk to.
Here is my email if you want to copy it:
Commissioner Paul Owen:
We request you assist Wendy and Frank Gibbons to keep their friendly, family style bar open pending county commission discussion regarding the zoning of this establishment. We really enjoy the relaxed setting and clean family fun that you can find here. Restricting we neighbors and friends from enjoying this pub will certainly result in a loss of our enjoyment of Osceola County.
Include : Your name, the location of your villa and where you live if not in Florida.
Please email and pass this on to a friend. We have loads of British friends and there is nothing I hate more then to see someones dreams dashed over a fine points in the law. You'd think the police were there and the noise was keeping neighbors awake.We were there last night and when we parked we thought the place was closed.Inside were about 75 patrons , low level music and children splashing in the out doors pool. I told my wife how regreshing it was to enjoy a place where we could talk with friends and have a good laugh.Where I could bring my grandson and he'd feel at home.
As for the disgruntled neighbor ? He lives way in the back of Lindfields and we are told has his house up for sale. Now there is justice.Wreck someones livelihood, sell your place and move on.
What a shame to see this place closed up.
Mind you that is just my opinion.
__________________
What can you do ? The code enforcer will have to defer this to the county commissioners for discussion.
Go to this website: http://www.osceola.org
The county commissioner for western Osceola is Paul Owens.
His email is powen@osceola.org
I believe if people email or fax him he will listen. Testimonials of your experiences and why this would be a loss to the area. The Gibbons bought the lounge in good faith and they deserve some help. I know the 75 or more patrons last night will be writing or calling the county on Tuesday. Sure there are plenty of family style restaurants out there but not too many you can walk to.
Here is my email if you want to copy it:
Commissioner Paul Owen:
We request you assist Wendy and Frank Gibbons to keep their friendly, family style bar open pending county commission discussion regarding the zoning of this establishment. We really enjoy the relaxed setting and clean family fun that you can find here. Restricting we neighbors and friends from enjoying this pub will certainly result in a loss of our enjoyment of Osceola County.
Include : Your name, the location of your villa and where you live if not in Florida.
Please email and pass this on to a friend. We have loads of British friends and there is nothing I hate more then to see someones dreams dashed over a fine points in the law. You'd think the police were there and the noise was keeping neighbors awake.We were there last night and when we parked we thought the place was closed.Inside were about 75 patrons , low level music and children splashing in the out doors pool. I told my wife how regreshing it was to enjoy a place where we could talk with friends and have a good laugh.Where I could bring my grandson and he'd feel at home.
As for the disgruntled neighbor ? He lives way in the back of Lindfields and we are told has his house up for sale. Now there is justice.Wreck someones livelihood, sell your place and move on.
What a shame to see this place closed up.
Mind you that is just my opinion.
__________________