The Flagler Beach City Commission Thursday evening is scheduled to consider annexing Veranda Bay, the 900-acre development along John Anderson Highway that would double the city’s population when built out in a few decades. It would be one of the most defining decisions in the commission’s history.
It’s been a struggle for both Veranda Bay and the city to get to this point, though a year ago both sides were eager to get here, especially the City Commission. Residents in and outside the city raised sharp objections to the number of housing units Veranda Bay wanted to build–more than 2,700. That turned into a significant obstacle until developer Ken Belshe agreed to lower the total to 2,400 units. That appeared to seal the deal for a majority of commissioners.
Now there’s a new wrinkle, if not an outright threat of a lawsuit that could derail Thursday’s action…