Update on Old Miakka from Mike Hutchinson and Eileen Fitzgerald

Mega-developers Pat Neal and Rex Jensen have proposed to extend Lakewood Ranch to the East. That is, in addition to the 18,000 homes already built, they propose to add 5,000 more homes on 4,100 acres east of Waterside.


This was land that was believed to be protected under a "rural heritage" designation that the county once considered for Old Miakka - a Northeast Sarasota rural community founded in the 1800's - but the county never approved an ordinance that would have settled the rural area once and for all.  

According to Sarasota Magazine, "Lakewood Ranch, all 33,000-plus acres of it, today is a thriving metropolis of almost 18,000 homes and nearly 43,000 residents—and growing. (A total of 39,968 homes is currently planned at build-out years from now.)"

From Mike and Eileen with Keep the Country Country:
Our appeal of the County's approval of Lakewood Ranch expansion continues. After a delay in getting the complete record transmitted from the Department of Commerce to the Second District Court of Appeal our attorneys were able to file our initial brief with the Court on June 21, 2024.

Next the County and LWR have 20 days to answer our brief. After that we will will file a short reply brief. Then the oral arguments will be scheduled.

Thanks!

Mike and Eileen



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