Cobb’s term effective through Aug. 31, 2029
During the March 24 regular meeting of the Sarasota County Commission, with three names having been put forth for an open seat on the Planning Commission, the very first person nominated — Veronica Cobb of Sarasota — ended up winning the seat on a 3-2 vote.
Commissioner Teresa Mast proposed Cobb for the appointment.
A memo provided to the board members in advance of the meeting explained that Planning Commissioner Shaun Libou had resigned, which left a vacancy on what is considered the County Commission’s most important advisory board. The Planning Commission conducts public hearings on land-use applications and proposed amendments to the county’s Comprehensive Plan, which guides growth in the community. At the conclusion of those hearings, the Planning Commission members vote on recommendations for how they believe the County Commission should proceed with the issues they had addressed.
County Commissioner Tom Knight nominated Libou to the Planning Commission on Aug. 27, 2025, as The Sarasota News Leader reported. Libou works in real estate and investment banking with Raymond James & Associates of St. Petersburg, his application said.
Cobb’s term will expire on Aug. 31, 2029, the March 24 staff memo noted. She was one of eight persons seeking a seat on the advisory board.
In her application, Cobb noted that she is the executive director of HarborChase, an assisted living facility with a memory care community that is located on Proctor Road in Sarasota.
In response to the application question about why she wanted to serve on the Planning Commission, Cobb wrote, “Having served in Bradenton and Lantana, I understand how decisions affect residents, businesses, and long-term community growth. I can contribute more effectively now because I am already familiar with the process, policies and responsibilities.”
She also pointed out that she had served as a planning commissioner in the past. Thus, she continued in the application, she has “had direct experience reviewing development proposals, zoning requests, conditional use permits, and site plans. In addition,” she continued, with “my professional background in operations, budgeting, and oversight, I would bring a practical, data-informed perspective. I have worked collaboratively with city staff, elected officials, developers, and residents.”
Commissioner Joe Neunder nominated Arturo D. Lopez of Sarasota, leader of the Sarasota office of Wannemacher Jensen Architects LLC, the firm’s website explains. Lopez noted in his application that he wanted to serve on the Planning Commission because he is “[u]nhappy with the amount of housing development approved in Sarasota County.”
Commissioner Knight nominated Thomas J. Fitch of Venice, a retiree who wrote the following in his application: “I’d like to help align and advise County leadership as to projects’ compliance with technical planning standards, then provide ranking of qualifying projects based on the County’s Comprehensive Plan. I’d also like to recommend revisions, if needed, to the existing Comprehensive Plan. I served in this capacity in Mecklenburg County, N.C.”
Charlotte is located in Mecklenburg County.
Chair Ron Cutsinger joined Commissioners Mast and Mark Smith in supporting Cobb’s nomination.
The county staff memo included in the March 24 agenda packet explained, “Applications [for Planning Commission seats] were accepted throughout the year to expedite filling future vacancies. Prospective Candidates were able to apply and submit applications for the Planning Commission Applicant Pool to be made available to the [County Commission] for all future vacancies. Whenever a vacancy occurs on the Planning Commission, the [County Commission] may first consider applicants from the Planning Commission Applicant Pool without further recruitment efforts. If the Board determines that no suitable candidates exist within the Planning Commission Applicant Pool, they may decide to advertise the vacancy.”
The rest of the applicants
The other applicants for the open seat on the Planning Commission were as follows:
- Rick Eaton of Venice, a retiree. He noted in his application that he is interested in holding a Planning Commission seat “[t]o help prevent future floods and to help make Sarasota County a model for others to follow on the topics of clean water, nature, wildlife and quality of life. Our current development culture is a trainwreck and [it’s] been proven deadly. A serious [re-evaluation] has to occur with serious concern by all parties involved.”
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Benjamin Elliott. Photo from his LinkedIn account Benjamin Elliott of Sarasota, the construction project manager for Power Design of St. Petersburg. He wrote in his application that he wanted to serve on the Planning Commission “because I care deeply about Sarasota County and believe [in] thoughtful, disciplined planning matters over the long term. Serving on the Planning Commission would allow me to contribute careful judgment, respect for adopted policy, and a balanced perspective to decisions that shape the community’s future.”
- David Stershic of Sarasota, a retired member of the Sarasota County Fire Department who is a part-time superintendent for the Willis Smith Construction firm in Sarasota. He is interested in serving on the Planning Commission, he wrote in his application, so he can “participate in and hopefully affect the processes, procedures, codes, etc. to ensure Sarasota has and is adhering to prudent, comprehensive practices.”
- Randy D. Boyd of Sarasota, who is self-employed with the Boyd Investigative Group/Boyd Security Group. “As a fourth generation resident of Sarasota,” he wrote in his application, “I believe it is my responsibility to help Sarasota move forward with planning and development in a productive, common sense manner.”
- Thomas Arthur of Sarasota, a real estate agent with Michael Saunders & Co. in Lakewood Ranch. In his application, he explained the following in regard to his desire to serve on the Planning Commission: “As a property rights advocate, and someone who is in the real estate business, I see both the importance of community service and understand the value in both residential and commercial presence within a thriving community.”