News Leader: What's Left - A report on approved future developments

 Sarasota News Leader:

Since October 2000, County Commission has approved 31,814 North County dwelling units to be developed in accord with Sarasota 2050 Plan guidelines

Staff provides detailed report about history of 2050 Plan and remaining options for land it governs

This graphic shows the North County developments. Image courtesy Sarasota County

Since October 2000, the Sarasota County Commission has approved 31,814 dwelling units for development in 16 communities located east of Interstate 75, in accord with the establishment of the Sarasota 2050 Plan guidelines, county staff recently reported.

In South County, 4,491 dwelling units have won board approval, as shown in a graphic shown to the commissioners on June 5.

Another 11,236 potentially could be built in North County, the graphic said.
The data was part of a presentation to the commissioners during their regular meeting on June 5. It came in response to inclusion in the board’s 2024 Strategic Action Plan of a request for an analysis of “What’s Left” for the 2050 Plan.

On April 5, the county’s Planning and Development Services Department completed the formal written report for the commissioners. The June 5 agenda item was scheduled subsequent to that, Matt Osterhoudt, director of Planning and Development, noted during his presentation.

This graphic shows the South County developments. mage courtesy Sarasota County

READ THE WHOLE THING: https://sarasotanewsleader.com/since-october-2000-county-commission-has-approved-31814-north-county-dwelling-units-to-be-developed-in-accord-with-sarasota-2050-plan-guidelines/

The Sarasota Citizen Action Network

We have a logo for SCAN: the Sarasota Citizen Action Network:

For the time being, the Citizens Blog will be tracking the County effort to pave our irreplaceable places. Here are some relevant links:

Social Media

Siesta Key Community - Lourdes - https://www.siestakeycommunity.com/

No Mega Hotels (FB) https://www.facebook.com/groups/397612861644456

Sarasota Audubon - Jeanne, Kathryn, Rob - https://www.sarasotaaudubon.org/

Sarasota Audubon (FB)    

https://www.facebook.com/SarasotaAudubonSociety

Keep the Country Country - Mike, Susan - https://sarasotacountry.net/

Keep the Country Country (FB)

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1177136249516071

Citizens for Sarasota County - Tom - https://sarasotavision2050.blogspot.com/

Three Sarasota Icons

        Celery Fields Advisory Panel (FB) 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/celeryfieldsadvisorypanel/

Three Sarasota Icons at a Breaking Point

A version of this story originally appeared in WSLR's Critical Times, Jan. 2024, page 11.

Sarasota is in the grip of a growth machine that threatens to render three of its most iconic places unrecognizable.

US News & World Report recently tagged Sarasota County as the second fastest growing region in the United States. That “success” has had consequences: Between 2013-23, housing prices shot up by 148% here -- way above the national average.

While local boosters point with optimistic glee to the prosperity new residents and tourists bring, residents have pinpointed growth as their #1 concern four years in a row, citing failing roads, development incompatibilities, and the exodus of working people unable to buy or rent. As gated communities and strip malls crop up, developers ask for -- and often receive -- maximum densities.

As we move into 2024, exorbitant developer proposals threaten three unique places beloved by the public. Could these assets be at a breaking point? 

1. Siesta Key: With its walkable village and famed beach, Siesta has long been the number one tourist feature in the county. Developers want high-rise hotels that would far exceed the current density limit of 26 units per acre; residents have lined up to oppose them. 

"Siesta Key has the most intensive residential development in Sarasota County,” says Lourdes Ramirez (left), a resident who took the county to court for violating its Comp Plan, and succeeded in blocking the County Commission’s efforts to bypass those limits.

Benderson Development Inc. now wishes to change county policy to allow hotels with virtually no unit limit. After more than a dozen community leaders offered cogent reasons why that would disrupt the character of their neighborhood, they watched the Commission direct staff to process Benderson’s proposal. 

“Increasing density for mega-size hotels on a hurricane prone barrier island will put residents and visitors at increased risk,” says Ramirez. Will the Board listen? An online workshop about the project is scheduled for Jan. 8, at 6 p.m. A public Zoom link to the workshop has not yet been shared.

2. At the opposite edge of the county, residents of northeast Sarasota oppose the eastward march of Lakewood Ranch. At risk are 4,123 acres of Old Miakka with 5,000 dwelling units removed from the county’s oldest rural community. Folks there believed they were protected by an “Old Miakka Neighborhood Plan” developed by the County 20 years ago. To their dismay they learned that the plan was never formally adopted by the County -- it was merely “accepted.” 

Old Miakka Schoolhouse

Founded 170 years ago -- before Sarasota was a county -- Old Miakka now fears for its very way of life. Leading the impetus to expand Lakewood Ranch to the east are two powerful developers, Rex Jensen and Pat Neal. Old Miakka has appealed a Comp Plan amendment approved by the Board, and a judge’s ruling could come in mid-December. If the ruling goes against them, their distinctive world will become part of Lakewood Ranch -- without the ranch, wood, or lake.

3. Midway between Siesta Key and Old Miakka sits the Celery Fields, which began in the late 90s as a stormwater management effort. The area now protects hundreds of homes on Phillippi Creek that earlier had been ravaged by a fierce 1992 flood.

From that project rose an unexpected dividend -- actually, two: First, more than 250 species of native and migratory birds discovered a serene wetland haven where they can rest and nest. Soon after, “Mt. Celery,” the elevated plateau created from muck, began to attract Sarasotans to a unique recreational space where, after a gentle climb, they see birds in flight below.

Firefighter training at Mt. Celery

These days residents and tourists who love to hike, walk their dogs, work out with their track and athletic teams, or just watch the birds and the sunset, gravitate to the Celery Fields. At night, a “Dark Skies” policy mutes the streetlights, and amateur astronomers often bring huge scopes to explore the heavens.

The public investment in creating this Trifecta approaches $50 million, a success story that has captured the hearts of the people. When a developer sought to build a dump next to it, the overwhelming public reaction was fiercely articulate and unambiguous. He lost.

After Sarasota Audubon built a Nature Center at the Celery Fields at a cost of $1 million, the County granted them an easement on 27 acres west of the Celery Fields. Along with the Conservation Foundation, Audubon plans to buffer and diversify the habitat through a $5 million “Re-Wilding” of the Quad parcels.

Now, however,Texas builder DR Horton proposes to build 171 homes on farmland immediately east of the nesting wetlands on Raymond Road. This intense cluster will impact wildlife, traffic, runoff, the dark skies and more. 

“The effort and funding going into the Quad parcels to buffer the western edge of the Celery Fields will be adversely affected by this development planned for the southeastern edge," says Jeanne Dubi, president of Sarasota Audubon, adding, “A lose-lose all round.” A petition circulating by a concerned citizen is closing in on 6,000 signatures opposing Horton’s plan. 

Siesta Key, Old Miakka and the Celery Fields contribute immensely to Sarasota's diversity, charm, and quality of life for all. Each is a beloved and iconic public asset. At coming hearings, each could be sacrificed for the sake of private profit.

• Old Miakka will soon learn if its challenge to the Neal/Jensen project holds up in court. 

• The public hearing for DR Horton’s proposal at the Celery Fields is expected in March.

• A workshop about Benderson’s mega-hotel proposal is set for Jan. 8.

Imagine Sarasota County without modest Siesta Village, or once-peaceful evenings at the Celery Fields with a Horton neighborhood next door. Picture the rural legacy of Old Miakka paved into oblivion by an extra subdivision of Lakewood Ranch. 

Sarasota could lose its genius loci -- the unique aura that makes it Sarasota. All three of these irreplaceable communities will need widespread community support if they are to keep the places they love intact.

                                                                                            -- Tom Matrullo

160 Homes Proposed next to Celery Fields Wetlands

A developer's proposal to build 160 single family homes on Raymond Road opposite the Celery Fields will be presented on Tuesday, May 23, beginning at 6 pm. The workshop will be online only. Concerned residents must use this Zoom link to attend:

Zoom link:  https://kimley-horn.zoom.us/s/98962380195

The land immediately south of Palmer Boulevard and across from the nesting area of the Celery Fields wetland has been mostly empty except for a few cows for many years. The property appraiser lists it here. 

The paperwork submitted by the planning firm calls for 160 homes to be built by D.R. Horton on the 49-acre site, but also suggests the number could be higher. 

Kimley Horn will present the Workshop, which will have no in-person gathering.

Although the Celery Fields is a publicly owned asset, the Planning Department only advertised the Workshop to homes within about 750 feet of the property.

About Neighborhood Workshops:

Neighborhood Workshops are a preliminary step in the planning process -- it gives the developer an opportunity to present a proposed project to the public, and receive public comment. 

With the arrival of Covid-19 in 2020, many public meetings moved online, including these workshops. This has led to a degradation of the value of this step in the process, for a few reasons:

1. Online, the presenters have made very brief presentations, leaving out important context. A complex plan for a Benderson project was presented in less than 10 minutes.

2. The public has no chance to view the maps and other data first hand. 

3. Some residents are not familiar with Zoom, or Microsoft Teams. In a recent meeting that utilized Teams, all that could be seen were small, blurry images, while the sound cut in and out. About half the meeting was inaudible. 

4. The online meeting is under the control of the planning firm hired by the developer. Some agents allow time for questions and follow-ups, but others end the meeting before attendees have all their questions answered. More on this here.

5. Advocates for fair land use planning have been asking the County Commission to return to live Workshops, but this one is still online only. The Zoom link should be live at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23.

             Zoom link:  https://kimley-horn.zoom.us/s/98962380195 

If you oppose paving over Rural Sarasota, be online Monday, March 27, 6 pm

 ALERT: THIS MONDAY, 6 pm, online:

Neighborhood Workshop for proposed Lakewood Ranch Rezone  -  March 27, 2023 at 6pm (Online only)

NOTE: As of now, the Comp Plan chapter penned by Rex Jensen and Pat Neal has not yet taken effect. Yet Rex and Pat wish to power along their expansionary plans for thousands more "dwelling units" in East Sarasota.

Pat Neal

Rex Jensen

Do the developers simply assume the County will crater to their wishes? They're probably right. The public has a chance to weigh in on Monday - the workshop is online only - no chance to meet in person, see plans, talk directly to the players.

Lakewood Ranch wants to rezone from rural to RSF-2/PUD to develop 1,718 dwelling units and related buildings. This is just the first part of the 4,000 acres in the comprehensive plan amendment that has been legally challenged and is not in effect.  The land in this rezone petition goes from the end of University Parkway at the north down to the entire north boundary of Bern Creek Ranches.  LWR doesn't care that this rezone is not legally authorized because of the pending challenge. 

 

Please participate in the online workshop and voice your concerns.  This rezone is incompatible with adjacent rural homesteads and agriculture. We need maintain our opposition to this development and to the breaking of all the promises the County made to us about protecting rural life.

 

The sign in for the online workshop is: https://bit.ly/LWRSEREZONE

     -- Or call in at 833-436-6264, Conf ID: 419 985 011#

From Becky Ayech, one of the Old Miakka leaders opposing the change to a higher density:

Lakewood Ranch Southeast is holding a virtual Neighborhood Workshop on March 27 at 6pm.

Below is the information from the county's webpage.  The link at the bottom will take you to the file on record.  It shows a map.  They say part of the land is OUA, but on their previous request that is being challenged, they said all the land was OUE, OUR and Hamlet.  Interesting.

Neighborhood Workshop: Lakewood Ranch Southeast Project Areas 1, 6, & 7

Date: 03/27/2023 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM  
Contact: Katie LaBarr, AICP (941) 907-6900

Link to Monday's meeting: https://bit.ly/LWRSEREZONE

One way to get growth under control

 Elect leaders who favor controlled growth

Letter to the Editor, Herald Tribune, 6.28.22

Are you concerned that the rapid population growth and unrestricted development in Sarasota County will cause this region to become just another congested, sprawling urban area? If so, there are two things you can do.

One, elect local leaders who prioritize preserving the unique character of our local environment and who aim to safeguard our precious natural resources.

And two, do not vote for candidates who receive much of their funding from developers and those who stand to gain from runaway growth.

Now is a good time for voters to research the priorities and funding of the candidates running for city or county commissioner in August.

For example, early research shows that city commission candidate Dan Lobeck, president of Control Growth Now, has for decades fought developers’ big-money influence. That's why he has my support.

Meanwhile, county commission candidate Lourdes Ramirez also fights for growth law protection and strategic infrastructure planning – so she also has my support.

In contrast, county commission candidate Joseph Neunder – according to the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections website – received tens of thousands of dollars in contributions from developers* and real estate-related firms. I will not be voting for Neunder.

Nick T., Sarasota

*Citizens for Sarasota Editor's note: More about the huge inflow of developer money to Neunder here.

Also:

Ramirez is running against Fredd Atkins, Hagen Brody, Mike Cosentino, and Mark Smith. District 2 Incumbent Christian Ziegler is not running again for the seat. 

Paving Pat Neal wants more paving

From Northeast Sarasota County citizens:  

Northeast Sarasota target area of Paving Pat Neal

Hi Everyone,

We need you to write to the County Commissioners about what Pat Neal is planning to do. He has now asked to increase the density to 2 houses per acre and bring another 5000 homes east on Fruitville. This can not go through or we will say goodbye to the future of rural Sarasota.

Please write a simple note to the Commissioners that says:

Keep the country...country for now and future generations to live on, learn from and love the land.

PLEASE HELP! TELL COMMISSIONERS TO VOTE “NO” ON CPA 2022-B

Email County Commissioners

Mike Moran mmoran@scgov.net

Al Maio amaio@scgov.net

Ron Cutsinger rcutsinger@scgov.net

Christian Ziegler cziegler@scgov.net

Nancy Detert ncdetert@scgov.net

 Below is from Becky Ayech, President of the Miakka Community Club.

“Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment 20222-B is an attempt by Paving Pat Neal to change the allowable densities on 4,000 acres along and north of Fruitville Road.

Currently the existing zoning of 300 acres zoned at OUE-1 (60 homes), 2,570 acres zoned OUR (257 homes) and 1,030 acres zoned as Hamlet (400) houses totals 717 houses.

The total traffic generated under the existing zoning is** 5,722 daily trips**.

If the 4,000 acres were developed as Hamlets, the number of houses could be as little as 200 houses and as many as 1,600. If the land were developed at the highest density of 1,600 houses then that would mean 12,768 daily trips.

What Paving Pat Neal is proposing is 5,000 houses. This would be 39,900 daily trips.

Paving Pat Neal is also proposing a reduction of the 500' buffer to only 50'.

Paving Pat Neal is also proposing to limit the Open Space requirement to as little as 43%.

The 4,000 is within the boundaries as defined in the Old Miakka Neighborhood Plan. These are historic rural and agricultural lands.

And don't be fooled, while the density request for 2 units an acre as a transitional zone to 1 unit per 5 acres is the narrative. the units do not have to be developed on 1/2 acre lots. the lots can be any size. How is that compatible with 5 acre homesteads?

CPA 2022-B is urban sprawl. Calling it a Village Transitional Zone (VTZ) doesn't change the fact it is urban sprawl. It is like putting lipstick on a pig, it still is a pig.

Detailed analysis here

Comprehensive Plan Amendment proposed by Paving Pat Neal

[Editor's note: The County Commission was delighted when Rex Jensen and Pat Neal offered to rewrite the Sarasota County 2050 Comp Plan.]

PLEASE HELP! TELL COMMISSIONERS TO VOTE “NO” ON CPA 2022-B”

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION ON ALL YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA.

THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING IS JULY 21.

Mike Moran mmoran@scgov.net

Al Maio amaio@scgov.net

Ron Cutsinger rcutsinger@scgov.net

Christian Ziegler cziegler@scgov.net

Nancy Detert ncdetert@scgov.net