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Hopeful Update on Siesta Key Issues from Lourdes Ramirez

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 From Lourdes Ramirez, good news:   November 10, 2025 Newsletter Update Amazing Week for Siesta Key! Benderson Hotel Project withdrawn!  We were notified late yesterday by Sarasota County staff that Benderson Development’s petition to amend the Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code — a proposal that would have allowed mega-size hotels on Siesta Key — was officially closed as of November 18, 2025. Under County rules, once an application is filed to change the Comp Plan or UDC, the applicant must continue to take action to keep the petition active. Back in April, staff informed Benderson’s representatives that the application had been inactive for six months. The developer then requested — and received — a one-time extension. That extension expired on November 16, 2025. Because no further activity occurred by that deadline, the application is now officially considered withdrawn. We do not yet know whether Benderson will choose to file a brand-new application in the futur...
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Pat Neal, Wellen Park, and Status of East Manasota Beach Road

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The letter below from a resident of Manasota Key presents the argument as to why people there are persuaeded that Pat Neal's desire to open their area to 50,000 Wellen Park residents is not allowed under the current private status of the road. Opening the road would, they fear, destroy wildlife and the area's entire quality of life. Dear Mr. Moye, Mr. Anderson, and Commissioners I am requesting clarification regarding Sarasota County’s current representation that the corridor along East Manasota Beach Road constitutes a public right-of-way. The recorded title documents and associated surveys for my property at  1687 East Manasota Beach Road , together with those for the adjoining parcel at  1611 East Manasota Beach Road , do not support that conclusion.  Recorded Title and Easement References According to the  First American Title Insurance Policy  issued for my property at  1687 East Manasota Beach Road , and the  Stewart Title Guaranty Company Owner...
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A very bad law: SB 180

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  The Florida Legislature may reconsider next year a very bad law that prohibits approval of any measure by a local government that developers deem “burdensome or restrictive”.   Your help is needed to make it happen.   The law is known by its 2025 Senate bill number, SB 180 .  It was slipped by developer lobbyists into a bill for hurricane damage relief. Legislators were falsely told that it only protects the right to rebuild property damaged by a hurricane.    Instead, the new law , s. 252.422(2), Florida Statutes,  prohibits any county or city for one year after being within 100 miles of a hurricane path, from adopting   “a more restrictive or burdensome amendment to its comprehensive plan or land development regulations” or development approval procedure.   Restore good wetland protections?  Nope.  Rein in urban sprawl?  Nope.  Increase building setbacks or limit heights?  Nope.  Not even a little.  Our ...
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SEERD, Audubon, Phillippi Creek Coalition feature at SCAN Oct. 28

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Unity of Sarasota       Community News The following is from Miles Toder, Misty Creek resident and President of  Sarasota East Enders for Responsible Development (SEERD): The Sarasota Citizen Action Network (SCAN) concerned about overdevelopment and the need for better growth management with adequate infrastructure, public services and greater citizen involvement will hold its next meeting at Fellowship Hall, Unity of Sarasota, 3023 Proctor Road at 5:30 on Tuesday October 28th.  We have invited speakers from Audubon Society to speak about the County Commission's 5-0 vote yesterday once again turning down DR Horton's latest application for a zoning change at the Smith Farm adjacent to the Celery Fields; Phillippi Creek Coalition's effort to protect their neighborhood from flooding, and SEERD's ongoing battle with Sarasota County over its impacts in the Bee Ridge neighborhood.  Of strong concern to all are newly amended state laws that pre-empt local jurisdiction over ...
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DR Horton Denied - and SCAN meets Oct. 28

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The County Commission allowed everyone who wished to speak at Open to the Public today - the public input lasted about 90 minutes, with not a soul speaking in favor of DR Horton building at the Celery Fields. Some of the input offered by residents was extraordinary. Charlie Bailey Around 3:30 pm, the Horton agenda item came up - and was quickly denied, 5-0, with virtually no discussion. The mediated proposal is dead, but outside the Admin building Horton's attorney, Charlie Bailey, said -- in response to a question from SCAN -- that he would advise his client to sue the County. SCAN will hold its next meeting next Tuesday, Oct. 28. Come hear from three neighborhood groups - the problem each faced, how they mobilized, and what happened as a result. We will meet in Fellowship Hall at  Unity of Sarasota , 3023 Proctor Road. The hall open at 5 pm, with the meeting beginning at 5:30. You'll hear from folks who did some very fine work. More to come.
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Relaunching CONA to Empower Residents

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    CONA Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations October 2025 Community Newsletter CONA Relaunches with New Leadership and Renewed Commitment to Civic Engagement The Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) is proud to announce a new chapter in our long history of neighborhood advocacy and civic involvement. Since 1961, CONA has served as a unifying voice for homeowner, condominium, and civic associations across Sarasota County. Today, we’re renewing that legacy with new leadership and a fresh focus on empowering residents to engage constructively in local government. New Leadership Following the retirement of longtime president Kafi Benz, we have a new Board of Directors representing neighborhoods throughout Sarasota County: President: Lourdes Ramirez , affiliated with Protect Siesta Key Vice President: Melanie Goddard,  affiliated with Marquee en Ville Condominium Association Treasurer: Ron Kashden , affiliated with Laurel Park Neighborhood As...
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