Nearly 100 new Charlotte County homes will have a private neighborhood boat ramp, but only one man was celebrating at Wednesday's Planning and Zoning Board meeting.

The board ruled in favor of Royal Palms Development LLC and its sole representative, attorney Robert Berntsson, to allow permitting for a boat ramp built before its use was approved.

The property, located at 13136 Windcrest Drive in Port Charlotte, was zoned residential single family, and Royal Palms requested to have the property act as a boat ramp for 98 neighboring lots.

Royal Palms originally owned the 98 lots, but who owns them now was a matter of dispute at Wednesday's meeting.

Berntsson told the board under oath that his client, Royal Palms Development, has not yet sold any of the 98 lots.

Helen Panaretos, an area real estate agent who was at Wednesday's meeting to fight the ramp, disputed Berntsson's claim. She said she has personally sold nine of the lots.

"Signed, sealed and delivered," she said.

She said that, in fact, "most" of the lots have already been sold, with terms promising the private boat ramp to members of the homeowners association.

Berntsson said Panaretos' claims were news to him. He said he knows of no properties being sold.

"If someone can prove me wrong, then I'm wrong, but I haven't seen any deeds," Berntsson said.

Residents who live in the area that are not included in the 98 properties, which will be required to be a part of the homeowners association, will have the ability to join separately.

The homeowners association will be responsible for the dock, which will have operating hours from 9 a.m. to dusk.

Also at Wednesday's meeting, the board rejected a special exception for a 75-foot-tall cross along Interstate 75.

Lutheran Church of the Cross requested the exception for its property at 2300 Luther Road in Port Charlotte. Representatives of the church said they wanted motorists on the interstate to see the cross as they passed.

http://www.sun-herald.com/Newsstory.cfm?pubdate=121506&story=ew17.htm&folder=NewsArchive2