20161216-16 Dec 2016

Siesta Promenade studies to be discussed at Dec. 19 workshop

Event planned to focus solely on analyses people want to see the county require as part of Benderson Development’s application for a Critical Area Plan

At 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19, Sarasota County staff will host a neighborhood workshop at Pine Shores Presbyterian Church that has been designed to focus solely on the scope of work to be required of Benderson Development for its Siesta Promenade proposal, the county has announced. (Read more »)


Contract authorized to lay groundwork for Community Youth Plan

County commissioners raise questions about funding and necessity of the data collection, though, before their vote

The spokeswoman for advocates of development of a Community Youth Plan indicated this week that she had expected quick passage of a contract for the groundwork research. After all, the item was placed on the Sarasota County Commission’s Dec. 13 Consent Agenda of routine business matters. (Read more »)


New residential structure at 6100 Midnight Pass Road to be landward of the county’s Gulf Beach Setback Line

County Commission wins agreement from the property owner to alter the proposed site plan

At the suggestion of Sarasota County Commission Chair Alan Maio, the owner of property at 6100 Midnight Pass Road on Siesta Key agreed this week to move a new structure with eight dwelling units completely landward of the county’s Gulf Beach Setback Line (GBSL). (Read more »)


Two Siesta organizations plead for County Commission to continue to seek intensive environmental analysis of Lido renourishment project

Lido residents and Sarasota’s city manager argue again for the need for FDEP to issue the permit

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce and the Siesta Key Association this week called for the Sarasota County Commission to press the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to undertake an Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed Lido Renourishment Project. (Read more »)


With costs whittled down, County Commission preparing to move forward on three major facilities projects

Bid process for designs of a new South County courthouse and Anderson Administration Center renovations, a new Sheriff’s Office Fleet Maintenance Facility and a new Central Energy Plant expected to start early next year

With Sarasota County Commission consensus this week, staff will move forward with adding three high-priority projects to the county’s Capital Improvement Project (CIP) program — and at roughly a third of the total original cost estimate for them. (Read more »)


Rezoning of site for new Sheriff’s Fleet Maintenance Facility wins unanimous County Commission approval

Nokomis residents object to the site, calling it the gateway to Venice that should have a more appropriate use

Almost exactly four years ago, Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight and members of his staff sat before the County Commission to discuss a desperate need for a new fleet maintenance facility. During that Jan. 8, 2013 meeting, Knight talked about how his office’s command post, bomb truck fuel tanker and the SWAT “Bearcat” could be wiped out in a major hurricane. “We have virtually nowhere to store them,” he said. (Read more »)


New commissioner argues against suing Airbnb over lost revenue

County staff to continue to work on means to collect ‘bed taxes’ generated by users of the internet-based service

Sarasota County Commissioner Nancy Detert made it clear to her colleagues this week that she does not believe the county should bring suit against Airbnb over Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenue owed to the county by individuals who rent accommodations through the internet service. (Read more »)


Kevin Cooper reappointed to county Planning Commission

No other person nominated

It took only a couple of minutes this week for the Sarasota County Commission to reappoint Kevin Cooper, president and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, to the county’s Planning Commission. (Read more »)


Siesta Seen

Questions arise about notice of county workshops; resident launches petition drive against new hotel plans; Cosentino petition drive in stall mode; businesses asked to remove Reopen Beach Road signage; SKVA celebrates its accomplishments; SKA offers new help to bicyclists; and a county employee well known on the Key marks a big anniversary

As people trickled in for the Dec. 7 neighborhood workshop on a proposal that could lead to a new hotel on the Key, talk turned to how the meeting had been advertised. (Read more »)


Nature still works its magic

Changes are afoot, but so much remains to be savored

Last Jan. 1, I walked Lower Lake Road at Myakka River State Park. A mild sunny afternoon: Flocks of robins were feeding in the dried grasses of the prairie and towards sundown they roosted in the oaks. A beautiful way to welcome in the new year. (Read more »)


Fifth Annual Christmas in the Park planned for the homeless

Donations and volunteers sought for Dec. 25 event in Sarasota

The Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness is inviting members of the community to participate in the Fifth Annual Christmas in the Park celebration for people experiencing homelessness. (Read more »)


Field crews for Lift Station 87 project working on buried utility line verifications

Five-week undertaking began Dec. 13

Surveyors have completed locating and marking existing utilities for the Lift Station 87 project, the City of Sarasota has announced. (Read more »)


Miracle Swimming clears first level of MacArthur Foundation’s ‘100 & Change’ worldwide competition

Sarasota nonprofit among 800 organizations vying for $100-million grant

Miracle Swimming for Adults (MSA) of Sarasota has cleared the first level of screening in the MacArthur Foundation’s competition 100 & Change, which offers the winner $100 million to solve a world problem, the foundation has announced. (Read more »)


Caragiulo elected new chair of the Sarasota County Commission

Detert to serve as vice chair

The Sarasota County Commission has selected Paul Caragiulo of District 2 as chair and Nancy C. Detert of District 3 as vice chair for 2017, the county has announced. (Read more »)