Planning issues coming before the Sarasota County Commission

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SCAN ZOOM Jan 12, 2025 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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A lineup of some important matters coming before the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners:


Jan. 15th: 

(1) Discussion Item #33 (either send emails opposing this privately initiated amendment or appear at open to the public at 9 am in Venice): Planning staff asking for authorization to amend the UDC to have density increase as a primary purpose of "conservation subdivisions" - as adopted back when 2050 was adopted, Conservation Subdivisions were intended to allow clustering of low density in rural areas to maximize preservation of natural features):

Action: Please write to commissioners to deny this request, there is no need for grants of additional density in conservation subdivisions.




(2) Public Hearing Item #52 - Special Exception 1894 - to allow outdoor dining and music at significantly late hours (as late as 2 am for outdoor music on weekends and holidays), the property involved is located in Lakewood Ranch but we should support the residents living in this area and not allow this intrusive use.

Action: Please write to commissioners stating your opposition to SE 1894.


Jan. 21st: 


Board special session on the flooding after Hurricanes Debby, Helene, Milton.









Jan. 28th: 

(1) Lakewood Ranch SE multiple rezones (RZ 23-21 and RZ 24-08) which comprise most of the area called LWR SE. These rezones will cause significant increases in traffic on Fruitville Rd which is a dangerous road to drive already. There are no adopted plans or funding for improvements to Fruitville other than widening from Sarasota Center Blvd/Debrecen to Lorraine, so the existing traffic safety issues on Fruitville will just get worse with approval of additional development. 

Action: Please email commissioners and ask them to deny RZ 23-21 and RZ 24-08. Keep the Country Country has been fighting this from the beginning - help us block this development. The legal challenge to this development is on appeal and has not been finally determined. 

(2) Special Exception 1904 - Fruitville Charter School (a for-profit charter school) wants to expand the number of students from the previous charter school that used the Faith Baptist property (Classical Academy -- now located on Bee Ridge) and build new buildings. State law now makes existing church facilities available for use by charter schools without any additional local government approvals. So this Special Exception doesn't just increase by a small amount the number of students (and associated dangerous traffic on Fruitville Rd) but would more than double it if new buildings and existing buildings are considered. 

Action: Please write the Commissioners and ask them to Deny SE 1904 and not make Fruitville Rd more dangerous. Even with reduced student numbers at the property over the past 6 months, traffic still backs up east to the fire station - a distance of approx. 2 miles. 


Feb. 12th: The Smith Farm Rezone (RZ 23-30) is scheduled for its final public hearing before the BCC. The proposed development of this land by DR Horton will cause significant and ongoing damage to the Celery Fields with impacts on nearby nesting areas as well as feeding areas. The significant public investment in and benefit from this world-class birding area and critical stormwater facility should not be damaged by adjacent development. 

Action: Please help our community and Sarasota Audubon and help fight this rezone. 


Smith Farm where Horton wishes to build 170 homes


(Editor's note: Much thanks to Susan Schoettle of SCAN for this compilation)

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