Letter to the editor: Cassia Cay

via Herald Tribune

Another development on US 41

The proposed Siesta Promenade at Stickney Point Road and US 41 will create terrible traffic problems, but it is not alone!

Cassia Cay, a proposed development with approximately 200 housing units and 170,000 square feet of commercial space, is proposed a mere two miles south on Tamiami Trail, just north of the intersection of Beneva and Vamo roads.

The 32 acres are on pristine land along Little Sarasota Bay, adjoining a county preserve with an active eagle's nest. In addition to the environmental degradation this will cause and the question of overbuilding shopping centers, the traffic situation on Tamiami will be horrific.

The proposed traffic light will be only about a half-mile from the existing one at the corner of Vamo. Even without the additional traffic, if Siesta Promenade is approved, congestion on South Tamiami Trail, which is an evacuation route, will pose a serious threat to public safety.

Why does Sarasota County keep approving developments without regard to traffic congestion? We already have empty storefronts in the Landings and the former Albertson's shopping plaza across from Publix. Do we keep building more shopping centers and let existing ones die? And what happens with the next downturn of the economy?

I urge every concerned citizen to appear at the county Planning Commission hearing concerning Cassia Cay on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and tell them what you think. Our voices must be heard!

Ruth Brandwein, Sarasota

Same Old Story

Stickney Point:

Benderson Marching Ahead - Wants More Density

SARASOTA COUNTY — Despite concerns from neighborhood residents and the state transportation agency, a Manatee County developer is marching ahead with plans for a mixed-use project at the busy U.S. 41-Stickney Point Road intersection. 

Benderson Development Co. filed a formal application Aug. 26 to rezone a former mobile home park to allow construction of 501 condo and apartment units, a 150-room hotel and 140,000 square feet of retail space. 

The company also filed for a "Critical Area Plan," or CAP, designation for the proposed "Siesta Promenade," which would allow the requested increase in density. 

The Sarasota County Commission has scheduled a public hearing on Oct. 11 to consider the CAP boundary.

Pat Neal Wants More Density

The proposed policy includes locational criteria where a "Village Enclave" could be located and development standards for the "Village Enclave", such as the following: 1. allowing a reduction of open space,  2. allowing a reduction of Greenbelt Buffer widths,  3. excluding the affordable housing requirement, and  4. acquiring density without the use of the transfer of development rights from off-site sources, as well as  5. other standards found in Village development such as walkable neighborhoods. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing for this privately-initiated Comprehensive Plan Amendment to discuss the standards and criteria on September 15 at 6:30 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible. The hearing will be held in the County Administration Center, Commission Chamber, 1660 Ringling Blvd. First Floor, Sarasota, Florida.

Pat Neal

Developers Want Last Site on Sarasota Bay

The Cassia Cay development comprises two adjoining parcels--18.27 acres is zoned Commercial General and they are proposing mixed used development, but they are asking for certain waivers and exceptions--one to increase the minimum height of at least one of the buildings and another to allow only apartments, instead of mixed use in another building. The second parcel of 13 acres is along the Bay and is zoned high density residential with 98 units, for a total a total of 158 residential units.

Whole Foods to destroy wetland

 . . . critics said that decision violated the county's comprehensive plan, which calls for the preservation of wetlands. 

The wetland sits at the northwest corner of Honore Avenue and University Parkway, in the middle of the site where developers want to place their commercial shopping center. The center will feature the grocery store, some restaurants, and a Wawa gas station/convenience store.

Developers want last site on Sarasota Bay

Core Development and Naples-based Apogee Realty Advisors LLC are seeking to develop the last open space on Sarasota Bay, according to the Business Observer.

Sarasota resident Ruth Brandwein provides information about this pending development, known as Cassia Cay.

The proposed site is on South Tamiami Trail, north of Vamo Rd., abutting the Presbyterian Church and the County's Bayonne Preserve; it runs to the west borders of Little Sarasota Bay.

I chaired the Pelican Cove Government and Neighborhood Liaison Committee that was charged with exploring this development that is only 1/2 mile from our property. Our board ultimately wrote a letter to the county expressing concerns about traffic, but did not take a position on the actual development. Now I and others who had been on the committee are acting as individuals, not official representatives. 

This is the last undeveloped piece of land on the Bay and the Bayonne Preserve has an active eagles' nest. The preserve is also the site of Indian Mounds. 

Tamiami Trail is an evacuation route, and you are probably aware of the proposed large Benderson development just about two miles north at Tamiami and Stickney Point Rd. Together, these two developments would exacerbate the already congested traffic situation, especially during the winter months. 

The Cassia Cay development comprises two adjoining parcels--18.27 acres is zoned Commercial General and they are proposing mixed used development, but they are asking for certain waivers and exceptions--one to increase the minimum height of at least one of the buildings and another to allow only apartments, instead of mixed use in another building. The second parcel of 13 acres is along the Bay and is zoned high density residential with 98 units, for a total a total of 158 residential units. More details can be found in this pdf.

Update: The County Planning Commission hearing that was scheduled for Aug. 18 has been canceled. As of now, we have no information when the hearing will be held. We will inform you and strongly encourage all residents who are concerned about traffic, the danger of congestion of a hurricane evacuation route and the loss of natural habitat on Little Sarasota Bay should plan to attend. Numbers matter!

Artist's rendering courtesy of the Herald Tribune

More here and here.