SCANNING Sarasota PLANNING

Below are some common terms used in Sarasota planning, compiled by longtime activist Becky Ayech. Becky is chair of the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida (ECOSWF), and is currently working to protect Old Miakka from being overrun by the expansion of Lakewood Ranch to the East. QUASI-JUDICIAL              In the 1980’s, there was a court decision that said rezones and special exceptions are concerned to be quasi-judicial. This meant it is like a court but not as stringent. The decision stated that “facts” not “numbers of people” were what the commissioners would base their decision. (Note: Attorney Richard Grosso will be speaking to ECOSWF about the nature of Quasi-Judicial testimony on January 19, 2025.)    COMP PLAN Sarasota’s Comprehensive Plan is the vision for the future.  It draws upon the core principles of each chapter to help ensure that growth is directed in a manner that is sus...

Source: Sarasota News Leader, 12.6.24 Next week, the District One staff of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will conduct both in-person and virtual presentations on the department’s draft Tentative Five-Year Work Program — which includes improvements scheduled for Sarasota County — for fiscal years 2025-26 through 2029-30, FDOT has announced. In addition to changes at both the Sarasota and Venice airports, the program for Sarasota County includes changes to major roads (Clark, Bee Ridge) and to the Siesta Key bridge: Among the projects planned for Sarasota county: Addition of lanes at the Bee Ridge Road interchange with Interstate 75. Addition of lanes at the State Road 681 interchange with I-75. Addition of lanes at the Fruitville Road interchange with I-75. The replacement of the Little Ringling Bridge between Bird Key Drive and Sarasota Harbor West at an expense of close to $67.2 million in the 2028 fiscal year. Modification of the median on Clark Road between the Sw...