UPDATE: DR Horton Mediation to Continue October 1

Update:

A proposed mediation agreement was put forward  - it will go to the Board Oct. 21 - the Board is not required to accept it. 

The proposed agreement - 86 homes, set behind water - is here.

==============

At the opening of the September 11 mediation of DR Horton's effort to reverse a 5-0 Board decision to deny its proposed 170-home project adjacent to the Celery Fields, Horton offered a revised plan: 122 homes, all behind a large retention pond:

DR Horton's revised proposal for Smith Farm

About 20 residents spoke at the hearing, run by a Magistrate, Mark Barnebey. None of the speakers supported the Horton proposal. The 50-acre Smith Farm is largely a floodplain - many who live in the area spoke of how tons of fill would be needed to elevate the homes - leading to potential flooding of surrounding neighborhoods.

Other speakers focused on the impacts to the birding and recreation area of the Celery Fields - how the traffic from so many homes on a narrow winding road, coupled with the noise, lights, and intensity of activity would negatively affect a prime bird nesting and feeding area on Raymond Road, where a birding platform is often busy with visitors from around the country and the world. 

To the Horton contention that the Comprehensive Plan virtually mandated development on the property, one speaker noted that the amount of approved homes Countywide, if all built, would double the number of homes already built. More new home construction is redundant and unnecessary.


Jeanne Dubi of Sarasota Audubon speaking to the Magistrate

After the speakers, the Magistrate spent a couple for hours shuttling back and forth between representatives of the parties - including Jacob Shumer of Winter Garden for Horton, and Assistant Sarasota County Attorney David M. Pearce.

At 1 pm Magistrate Barnebey called a halt -- the sides had not reached agreement, but agreed to take up the discussion in another hearing set for October 1 at the county commission chambers. A rumor circulated that Horton had dropped its number of housing units to 85 from the proposed 122 homes. No other concessions or proposed changes were made public.


The October 1 hearing will begin at 9 a.m. The magistrate said that as it will be a continuation -- it was not clear whether more public input will be taken.





  Sarasota Audubon's Statement on the hearing:

It is our belief that any development of the DR Horton/Smith Farm property beyond its current zoning would be irreparably disruptive to birds and wildlife of Celery Fields. Increased traffic, lights, and noise during and after development would negatively impact all those visiting Celery Fields as well as its resident and migratory wildlife. During the FLUEDRA hearing on Sept. 11, 2025, the Special Magistrate asked if acquisition of the property has been considered by the County. Although it is not clear if this option was discussed during the mediation on that day, Sarasota Audubon wholeheartedly supports acquisition of this land for pubic purposes such as a park or stormwater facility or a conservation easement that restricts use of the land in a manner that adequately protects and preserves the Celery Fields.

 

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