SCANNING Sarasota PLANNING

  From Lourdes Ramirez and Protect Siesta Key    According to this new video, Benderson Development Inc. could seek to build four eight-story hotels in Siesta Key Village. As one resident says, this would destroy the charm and sense of place that has appealed to generations of visitors. And other developers could add three more such hotels. The people of Siesta Key urge us all to write to the Board - these five men are the ultimate deciders of land use. Also: Three seats are in play in the upcoming election -- Moran in District 1 is termed out, Rainford (District 3) and Cutsinger (District 5) are running for new terms. Alexandra Coe and Teresa Mast are seeking  Moran's seat. Tom Knight and Shari Thornton are running to replace Rainford (a DeSantis appointee). Cutsinger has no opponent.

Here's the latest update from Protect Siesta Key , the new group led by Lourdes Ramirez and Rob Sax opposing the developer-led interest  in super sizing hotels on Siesta Key:     Monthly News & Updates   April 2024   Benderson Mega-hotel proposal Changing the Comprehensive Plan is a process. Benderson Development has submitted the 'final' application for their mega-hotel on Siesta Key to County Staff. After staff reviews the application, they will write a report and schedule a hearing before the Planning Commission (Advisory Board). Dates for public hearings have not been scheduled yet. Use the following link for a list of Comprehensive Plan process steps. List of Comp Plan Process steps     County Commission denies hotel proposal in Venice area We were surprised that the Sarasota County Commission at their April 9th public hearing denied a developer's proposal to build two hotels off Laurel Road in Venice ( Item #31 on the agenda ). The BCC vote to deny the applica...

Protect Siesta Key . See also this update on Gary Kompothecras's mega-hotel to be presented March 20 at a Neighborhood Workshop .    Two Important meetings in March!   Proposed Mega-Hotel for Old Stickney Point Road Workshop A developer is reintroducing a proposal for a mega-hotel on Old Stickney Point Road. The project was originally approved in 2021 but was later rejected by the circuit court. The developer is now seeking a special exception for the hotel, which would comprise 120 units and reach a height of no more than 83 feet. The hotel proposal is contingent upon the County Commissioners approving changes to Siesta Key's protective laws, as proposed by Benderson earlier this year. Meanwhile, the developer is moving forward with the request for the mega-hotel while the County reviews the proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan. A public workshop on the mega-hotel for Old Stickney Point Road has been scheduled, and the details can be found below. Weds., March 20 starting...

  A new Proposal to add 1,200 condo units to the former Sarasota Square Mall has nothing to say about affordable housing:  Ramon Lobez reports from WSLR. The News Leader reports that  Gary Kompothecras  is back with his  proposal for a seven-story hotel at the Stickney Point bridge  on the key.  Zoom in at 6 pm on March 20  to hear his plan.  Lourdes Ramirez  will talk about the new Kompo plan on  Thursday, March 21, at St. Boniface. What will this  Hurricane Season Forecast event on April 4  tell us about building mega-hotels on Siesta Key?  Does Sarasota County's Planning Methodology give a damn about affordable housing, environmental issues, or climate change? Or are we still stuck in Rick Scott's aggressive ignorance  imposed on Florida with his 2011 Community Planning Act? Find out more about our  Planning Predicament this Thursday, March 21, 7 pm at the Audubon Nature Center ,  when we'll hav...