SCANNING Sarasota PLANNING

The Jan. 21, 2025 workshop with public input on the stormwater and flooding issues impacting Sarasota County from Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton: Link to the video. Debby carried an exceptional amount of rain - 84 homes in Laurel Meadows were flooded along with homes on Phillippi Creek in the summer of 2024. Water engineer Steve Suau presented his recommendations: His talk begins about the 50-minute mark, after Public Works Director Spencer Anderson outlined the history and development of the county's stormwater protection systems. Suau's talk offered slide detailing 10 specific recommendations - here's one: You'll find all his recommendations both in this video and a text version can be found here.

Giant Texas-based builder DR Horton has been plagued with stormwater violations that have damaged communities near homes it has built in Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, and South Carolina, according to recent reports. A drainage pond created by DR Horton which the owner says has caused flooding and mold in her home. Photo from   TC Palm   In Sarasota, Horton proposes to build 170 homes on land that will require a stormwater pond and fill - which if not done properly could endanger surrounding communities. This issue is in addition to many other concerns raised by the proximity of this proposed development to the nesting area of an internationally renowned area of the Celery Fields ,which draws tourists from the world over. Does Sarasota County wish to risk a $70 million investment of our tax dollars to allow this developer to build on this land? Wouldn't it be preferable to find a benign, environmentally beneficial use for the property? Pensacola: D.R. Horton agrees to pay...