SCANNING Sarasota PLANNING

This article from the 2011 Florida Times-Union explains why Rick Scott's destruction of regional and state-level planning was a very bad idea. The Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council - the one Sarasota County participated in, is nearly unfunded - Sarasota and its other supporting counties, with one exception, have stopped supporting it. Apparently other councils around the state are still funded by at least some of their member counties. Growth management in Florida back under local control Developers say it will create jobs; foes say it hurts growth planning. Kevin Turner The responsibility for managing growth is once again in the hands of local government. The Florida Legislature's sweeping change to the state's 1985 Growth Management Act in the 2011 session was signed by Gov. Rick Scott last Thursday. It weakens the centralized system that gave a state agency, the Department of Community Affairs, the power to halt developments deemed incompatible with the growt...

  A public workshop to divulge what Rex Jensen has in mind for 1,399 dwelling units on 1,746 acres of Northeast Sarasota County. Tuesday October 1, 6 pm, online - link below. https://bit.ly/LWRSE167-NHW2 Conference ID: 240 788 602# Planner: Katie LaBarr AICP Katie.LaBarr@stantec.com | (941) 907-6900

  Text of Tom Matrullo's presentation of 9.21.24 Image from Cathy Antunes' Local Dark Money online book   Susan Schoettle Speaking about County Planning Practices Susan's talk is not in a text form. The video will be posted soon.

Read and weep - Dan Lobeck describes the unethical destruction of planning rules that had been controlling growth for some time in Sarasota - Here's one telling example: Deletes the current prohibition of development in a 100 year floodplain which would adversely affect the function of the floodplains and degrade water body quality, by allowing that development so long as it is “mitigated”, a very loose and weak standard.  [Policy 1.2.4(B)] Here's another: Deletes the policy which states, “Establish a system to measure new developments and determine whether the developments employ smart growth principles to help promote a sustainable community.” (Former Policy 4.1.2, was previously proposed a Policy 3.2.6 but is now proposed to be deleted) https://citizensforsarasota.blogspot.com/2016/10/sarasota-at-risk-lobeck-on-final-oct.html#more #planning #weaknesses #dumbingdown #developercontrol

Two founders of SCAN - Sarasota Citizen Action Network - have been invited to speak to a gathering of  Suncoast Environmental Leaders on September 21.  Organized by WSLR-Fogartyville, Generating Earth Connections, and the Unitarian Universalist Environmental Justice Committee, the annual event honors the work of   more than 120 Gulf Coast organizations that strive to preserve and protect our living ecosystems.     Susan Schoettle and Tom Matrullo will share some of what they've learned from our group's past year of meetings with neighborhoods around the county. Those who have participated in SCAN's presentations, conversations, and sharing of experiences are invited to enjoy a vegetarian breakfast with a variety of environmentalists.  All are welcome, but please RSVP to Mary Anne Bowie at  BowieFAICP@gmail.com . Schoettle and Matrullo both spoke at the 8.27 County Commission meeting which began with several accounts of the floo...

  For Immediate Release Mary Anne Bowie, Environmental Justice, Unitarian Universalists Sarasota 3975 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, Fl 34232 BowieFAICP@gmail.com   941-321-0424                                                 SUNCOAST ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS THANK-YOU BRUNCH SEPTEMBER 21  WSLR-Fogartyville, Generating Earth Connections , and the Unitarian Universalist Environmental Justice Committee (Green Team) of Sarasota Florida are bringing together Suncoast environmental area organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship. Some of the organizations have been active for more than 50 years; some are brand new. Organizations in Sarasota, Charlotte and Manatee Counties are at the core of those invited. Invitees inc...