Siesta Key is facing serious issues

 

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Issues Facing Siesta Key

The Siesta Key Condominium Council was formed in 1976 and its membership includes over 90 Siesta Key Condo Associations. Mission Statement: To provide member Condominium Associations, their owners, residents and renters current information applicable to condominium living through a series of meetings/speakers and to support efforts that promote safety, economic stability, environmentalism, and the beautification of Siesta Key.

Recent Flooding, the Comprehensive Plan and Hi-density Hotels

Many sources have shown the severe flooding from Tropical Storm/ Hurricane Debbie. Articles have appeared in Sarasota News Leader, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Siesta Sand and the Observer, as well as national news and tv. Videos are abundant on the internet and social media. Officials stated the flooding on June 11 was a rare occurrence, yet Debbie followed two months later causing even greater flooding. The frequency of these events is increasing. There are two bridges for tropical storm and emergency evacuation on Siesta Key. During Debbie, the road to the north bridge was closed because of flooding for the second time in two months. The Stickney Point bridge is undergoing repair to extend its useful life.

There were numerous Sanitary sewer spills. One of the largest occurred at the Siesta Key Master Pump Station, next to the Grand Canal at 5200 Oakmont Place. That totaled 309,000 gallons, the Public Utilities staff reported to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. SKCC and other stakeholders have been warning that the infrastructure of Siesta Key cannot sustain proposed hi-density hotels. From the earliest hearings, traffic, stormwater and sewage have been questioned. Given recent events, the responses have not been credulous.


The Comprehensive Plan and the 1989 restrictions on increasing density and intensity were designed to protect residents of the Key. Those protections continue to be challenged despite state Administrative and Circuit Court rulings upholding them. Residents should remain vigilant and express their opinions as hearings arise on Comprehensive Plan Amendments during the summer months when so many residents are away or on vacation.


Board of County Commission Hearing Scheduled 9/11 at 5:00pm

Despite an 8-0 recommendation to reject at the Planning Commission Hearing, the issue of Siesta Key Voluntary Demolition/ Rebuild, Comprehensive Plan Amendment 2022-D and UDC Text Amendment 55 is scheduled to appear before the Commission on Wednesday 9/11. The official notice is supposed to appear on the County Commission website and calendar Wednesday, August 21. Please look for it. After its release, SKCC plans to publish more information on Friday, August 23.


If you sustained damage from Tropical Storm Debbie, Click HERE to complete the County survey.

If you sustained damage from Tropical Storm Debbie, Click HERE for FEMA information.

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