Development interests have their eyes on our parks.
Both Warm Mineral Springs in North Port and The Bay Park in Sarasota are at risk. Unfortunately, some in both City governments are supportive of plans to convert public lands to private gain.
Most immediately, on Monday March 20, the Sarasota City Commission will consider measures to facilitate opening up the 53 acres of City-owned bayfront known as The Bay to extensive private development.
The City Planning Commission voted 4 to 1 to recommend denial. The City Commission should do the same.
However, the private interests behind the Bay Park Conservancy, represented by Bill Merrill and Phil DiMaria, an attorney and planner respectively for developers including Benderson, are seeking changes that would open the door to extensive commercial and other private development in The Bay Park moving forward.
At present, most of The Bay Park is limited under the City’s Comprehensive Plan to “Recreation, Entertainment, Museum, and Cultural Facilities - (Civic Center Complex).” That is exactly what is planned there now, in the City’s Master Plan for The Bay Park.
The north end, now called Centennial Park, is instead designated “Open Space-Recreation-Conservation.” Only “minimal” development for “food, beverage, and entertainment uses” is allowed, but “the type and scale of activities which have been associated with the ‘Marina Jack’ facility” are prohibited. Again, this is consistent with the present Bay Park Master Plan, which includes only one modest “food and beverage” building in that area.
All of this would be replaced by the Comprehensive Plan amendments up for public hearing and approval Monday morning.
The new wording provides broadly for a “flexible mixed-used district” for all 53 acres. Without any limits, the following would be allowed (emphasis added): “uses including but not limited to parks and open space, government uses, restaurants, performing arts centers, museums and cultural facilities, galleries, retail, and mixed-use development with a maximum residential allowance for 10 live/work units within (The Bay Park).”
At present, the City Charter requires a supermajority vote of the City Commission (at least 4 to 1) to loosen the present restrictions on development in The Bay Park, as a Comprehensive Plan amendment. If the amendments up on Monday are approved (by that supermajority vote) then any limits will only require a regular 3 to 2 vote, in the Zoning Code.
This is the same move in which development interests and their supporters in City government failed (by one vote short of a Commission supermajority) to move limits on downtown building heights from the Comp Plan to the Zoning Code. It is the same as what they tried and succeeded (4 to 1) for density increases in much of the City.
Already, the Bay Park Conservancy has proposed massive restaurant development on the north end of The Bay Park, far more than in presently allowed by the Comprehensive Plan. In a Powerpoint to the City Commission, they presented plans for three-level restaurant buildings on all three sides of the boat basin, totaling 26,000 square feet of rooftop dining and 14,750 square feet of indoor dining, for a total of 40,750 square feet. Compare for example, the large Selva Grill restaurant in the UTC Town Center, at 5,000 square feet.
Who knows what other commercial development they have planned in our public park?
The amendments would also eliminate public hearings and votes of the Planning Board and City Commission for Bay Park site plans and replace them with backroom administrative approval by supportive City staff.
Although those site plans would have to be consistent with a one-page graphic which is the “Master Plan” adopted by the City Commission, already the Bay Park Conservancy shows how they can depart from that if they get administrative approval. Amazingly, they contend that their extensive restaurant plan is consistent with the Master Plan when clearly it is not.
BPC leaders have also said that the Master Plan is “outdated” and should be changed in ways they do not disclose.
A requirement for a “public community workshop” prior to administrative approval “for structures of less than 10,000 square feet” was added. That’s an obvious typo in that “less” should be “more.” Not only is that meaningless due to that size (none of the BPC’s restaurant buildings are over 10,000 square feet) but a workshop is no substitute for public hearings and Commission votes.
City Commissioners should vote NO on Monday.
Dan Lobeck, Esq.
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Control Growth Now Annual Potluck Picnic
Saturday, March 25
11:30 am – 2 pm
Colonial Oaks Park, 5300 Colonial Oaks Blvd, Sarasota, FL
Please register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Free and Open to the Public! Come to Control Growth Now's Annual Meeting and Potluck Picnic at beautiful Colonial Oaks Park Saturday, March 25 from 11:30 am to 2 pm.
Please register for yourself and anyone you are bringing with you. Enjoy our grilled burgers, hotdogs, veggie burgers and drinks -- bring a side dish or dessert to share if you like -- in the good company of people who care about the future of our community.
At a short meeting in the clubhouse we will honor Valerie Buchand as our Citizen of the Year for her good work in bettering the quality of life in the Newtown Community and throughout Sarasota. Join Control Growth Now if you like, or renew your membership for 2023-24 (annual dues $20 – an option on the Eventbrite registration) or just be our very welcome guest!
-- Dan Lobeck
