Elements of the Sarasota County Planning Process
The local planning process in Florida used to be subject to review by Regional Planners and the State's former Dept. of Community Affairs. Rick Scott began dismantling this regulatory structure in 2010. Now the local County (or city) Commissions are the primary deciders of developer petitions. The basic steps any development proposal must take: Neighborhood Workshops - Provide an overview of a newly proposed development to the people living near where the project would be built. Notification issues. Formerly always in person, now on Zoom. DRC - Development Review Coordination : Various County Departments inform the developer of what the county will require for the Petition to meet minimal standards of completeness. Planning Commission (PC) - After the DRC, the vetted proposal is presented to the PC, an appointed board of Realtors, builders, marketeers, and other industry insiders. The PC can vote to recommend approval or denial of a proposal, but its decision is advisory, and...