Lourdes Ramirez's New Year's Resolution

 Protecting our Comprehensive Plan


Sarasota's first Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1972, and since then, it has included policies to protect the barrier islands, including Siesta Key. It was an award-winning plan about fifteen years ago, but since then, it has suffered a slow "death by a thousand cuts." Over the years, developers have stripped the Comprehensive Plan of many of its protections including wetland and open space requirements. We believe that the causes of flooding, unbearable traffic, and the loss of green space in our county can be attributed to the numerous amendments to the Comprehensive Plan.






Among the few goals, objectives, and policies that have remained intact over the years are those protecting the barrier islands. The main reason these protections have persisted is the safeguarding of human life. As stated clearly in the county’s 1981 Comprehensive Plan, “Any increase in population on barrier islands increases the threat to human life from hurricanes and requires additional time and effort to carry out evacuations.”


Now, we face threats to that protection. Our New Year’s resolution for 2025 is to prevent the County from changing even a single word in the Comprehensive Plan goals, objectives, and policies that protect our lives.


We will oppose Benderson Development’s proposed plan to alter the Comprehensive Plan policies currently in place for Siesta Key. At present, the staff is waiting for the developer to revise some of their proposed changes or provide additional information. No schedule has been set for public hearings on these proposed changes.


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