SCANNING Sarasota PLANNING

Raymond Road Wetlands Celery Fields Sarasota County's Planning Commission - an appointed board made up largely of development industry insiders, Realtors and builders - voted to NOT RECOMMEND a plan by the US's biggest builder to construct 170 homes very near the prime birding area of the Celery Fields. The Public Hearing on Thursday, Nov. 21, ran to after 11 pm as many speakers stayed to have their say. The final vote of 4-3 to not endorse the proposal was cheered by those who worried about the manifold impacts of construction, cars, lights, noise, pool parties and more upon a wetlands area known for being both a nesting area and a respite for migrating birds. The Planning Commission vote broke down like this (two board members were absent):      To not recommend                                             To recommend DR Horton's proposal    ...

Sarasota News Leader Given crowd anticipated at Nov. 21 hearing on proposed 170-home development next to Celery Fields, county staff working to facilitate public engagement WABC ABC7: Local residents worried about new proposal for development near Celery Fields WABC ABC Action News Birdwatchers organize to protect beloved park from planned nearby development WSLR WSLR Cathy Antunes talks with Sarasota Audubon President Sara Reisinger and environmentalist Jono Miller Celery Fields is a stormwater management facility Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County to consider allowing 170-home development near popular Celery Fields WSLR - Ramon Lopez Sarasota hydrologist has an idea. And what to do next

At the 10/24/24 SCAN meeting , professional engineer and hydrologist Stephen Suau presented his independent study and preliminary findings following Tropical Storm Debby. He has now prepared and submitted constructive recommendations to the Sarasota County Stormwater Department which is provided below. If any of these recommendations ring true to you or your community, SCAN encourages to let your County Commissioners know that the County should consider if not embrace them at a minimum to protect existing and future residents from flood damage and improve stormwater service to its customers.           Teresa Mast     Mark Smith     Tom Knight     Joe Neunder   Ron Cutsinger                                                      District 1          District 2...