Public Workshops on County Planning Updates

The senseless proposal for an industrial waste facility at the Celery Fields revealed some disturbing facts about  how planning has been failing the people of Sarasota County.

E.g., Sarasota's land use map is out of date, its multiple codes do not mesh, and County planners apparently are not required to consult the community, or notify anyone of major changes to, or sales of, public lands.

The County is working on updating - and will have public meetings beginning Sept. 20th. 

Lots of info and a survey here.

All three public "workshops" are in Nokomis:

Public Workshops

Location:

Nokomis Community Center, Main Hall

234 Nippino Trail 

Nokomis, FL 34275

Dates:

September 20th – Public Workshop No. 1
October 18th – Public Workshop No. 2
November 7th – Public Workshop No. 3

Time:
6:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as possible.

Public Trust Compromised

"Our concern is ethical in nature"

Benderson Facility near Tallevast similar to one planned for Fruitville

From the Sarasota HT:

From Dearborn Street, to the North Trail, to Myakka City, neighborhoods across Sarasota County are regularly invited to county-sponsored workshops. The premise of these gatherings is to hear from the citizens and discover what their hopes and needs are in their corner of the world. Our concern is ethical in nature, as these conversations form the bond of public trust. If the leaders in our county can be enticed from the commitments of a multi-year, million-dollar conversation in Fruitville, what will they do with your neighborhood dialogue?  More here.

Guest editorial from G.S. Heffner, chairman of the Fruitville 210 Community Alliance board of directors.