20160902-2 Sep 2016

Oct. 11 County Commission hearing scheduled on project area proposed for Siesta Promenade

Benderson Development application includes traffic analysis showing driveway proposals and anticipated increase in vehicle counts in Stickney Point Road/U.S. 41 vicinity

As outlined in a formal letter the project manager sent on Aug. 22 to Sarasota County Planning and Development Services Department staff, Benderson Development will seek approval of 140,000 square feet of commercial space and 150 hotel rooms in its proposed Siesta Promenade project at the intersection of Stickney Point Road and U.S. 41. (Read more »)


Parking meter plan to be back before City Commission on Sept. 6

Board will be asked to allow staff to proceed with issuing a Request for Proposals and then take an estimated 90 to 120 days to decide on the best equipment

It is listed as agenda item VI.3 for the Sarasota City Commission meeting scheduled for Sept. 6. And even though the board will be holding its first public hearings on the budget and millage rates that evening, item VI.3 is sure to garner considerable attention. (Read more »)


Deadline for FDEP response to latest Lido Renourishment Project materials pushed back to Oct. 1

Sarasota city manager and Lido residents continue criticism of County Commission’s call last week for a more thorough vetting of the proposed dredging of Big Sarasota Pass

At the request of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the City of Sarasota, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) may wait as late as Oct. 1 to decide whether the city and the federal agency have provided all the materials necessary for its staff to decide whether the permit application for the proposed $19-million Lido Renourishment Project is complete. (Read more »)


Neighbors of proposed Cassia Cay development awaiting Planning Commission hearing on the project

Revised plans for mixed-use commercial center and residences on property between U.S. 41 and Little Sarasota Bay has raised concerns about traffic and wildlife

Ruth Brandwein and a number of her Pelican Cove neighbors are especially protective of the last undeveloped, private piece of property on Little Sarasota Bay. It stands next to Sarasota County’s Bayonne Preserve, where bald eagles nest and gopher tortoises burrow into their homes. (Read more »)


Voter participation up slightly in Aug. 30 primary compared to 2014

Early voting total nearly doubles the count from 2012

Voter turnout was up just slightly for the primary this week compared to the August 2014 primary, Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office data show. But the numbers of early voters and mail-in ballots continued to climb. (Read more »)


Revised food truck ordinance to go before County Commission on Oct. 10

Requirements for site-specific operations to be replaced by zoning administrator’s approval of one-year decals that would allow businesses to operate on private property

The version of the revised Sarasota County food truck ordinance the County Commission is expected to address on Oct. 10 will have significant changes from the last draft that board saw — in October 2015 — thanks to a unanimous Planning Commission vote on Aug. 18. (Read more »)


Sarasota County School District has enrolled almost 500 fewer students thus far than expected

Enrollment higher overall for middle and high schools, but lower thus far for elementary grades and charter schools

Almost exactly a year ago, Sarasota County School Board members were voicing surprise at unexpected enrollment growth at a couple of the district’s regular high schools. (Read more »)


Siesta Seen

Capt. Styles’ home turned into rental property; restroom to be designed for Nora Patterson Bay Island Park; traffic crash damages island on Ocean Boulevard; concern continues over North Beach Road signs; and county staff investigates a complaint about stormwater

One of the property owners involved in the May 11 North Beach Road vacation petition — Christy Ramsey — has sold her house at 99 Beach Road for $3 million to Holderness Enterprises LLC, which lists a 7333 N. Tamiami Trail address in Sarasota. (Read more »)


County to try to recover $350,000 from failed Sanborn Studios agreement as it proceeds with legal case

Dissolution of the company has not stopped a deputy county attorney from his efforts to make Sanborn’s CEO show up for a deposition

One might see it as the script for a Hollywood tale all its own: A movie studio boss tells the Sarasota County Commission that with $650,000 in a grant upfront, he will be able to put the klieg lights on the community. Imagine it, he might have whispered: “Film and TV production work will make the West Coast of Florida a far bigger star than any incarnation of the Sarasota Film Festival ever has.” (Read more »)


Dona Bay restoration project proposed for next round of discussions for state RESTORE Act funding

The approximately $8-million undertaking fits criteria already espoused by the Gulf Consortium of counties affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon incident, county staff says

Sarasota County’s representatives working with a state group on initiatives proposed for funding from the BP Deepwater Horizon settlement will propose this month that the Dona Bay Environmental Restoration Project receive assistance. (Read more »)


Friends of Legacy Trail presents last of promised feasibility plan funding to Sarasota County Commission

Group provides check for $63,590

In 2013, members of The Friends of The Legacy Trail accepted a challenge: to raise $75,000 to fund a feasibility study with design options for the planned 7.5-mile North Extension of the Trail from Culverhouse Nature Park at Palmer Ranch to Payne Park in downtown Sarasota. (Read more »)


Resurfacing of U.S. 41 from Browning Street to 11th Street in Sarasota to be focus of public meeting

Session to be held on Sept. 8 in Geldbart Auditorium at Selby Library

Improvements to U.S. 41 from Browning Street to 11th Street in Sarasota — including resurfacing — will be the focus of a public meeting on Sept. 8 at Selby Library, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has announced. (Read more »)


Greater Sarasota’s sixth annual Eat Local Week set for Oct. 22-30

Award-winning author and director Douglas Gayeton to be the keynote speaker

The dates for greater Sarasota’s sixth annual Eat Local Week, “a popular celebration of the best of local food and farming in Sarasota and Manatee counties,” have been confirmed as Saturday, Oct. 22, through Sunday, Oct 30, organizers have announced. (Read more »)


St. Armands Pink Quadrant alley to be focus of resurfacing project from Aug. 29 through mid-October

No parking will be allowed in the alley, and all traffic will be prohibited during two phases of work

From 7 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 29 to Oct. 14, no parking will be allowed in the alley adjacent to the Wells Fargo Bank at 300 Madison Drive on St. Armands Circle, the City of Sarasota has announced. (Read more »)


Water stewards sought for new Sarasota County program starting this month

Seven sessions scheduled as part of training for volunteers

Members of the public are invited to help protect and preserve water resources by becoming water stewards in Sarasota County, the county has announced. (Read more »)


Gulfcoast Girl Scouts’ employee charged with stealing nearly $85,000

Woman arrested by Sheriff’s Office following investigation that began in May

A 42-year-old Sarasota woman was arrested by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 31 on charges that she allegedly stole nearly $85,000 from Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, the office has announced. (Read more »)


City and County of Sarasota announce Labor Day closings

Visitors to beaches asked to ‘pack out’ items they take with them to the shore and to use garbage and recycling receptacles

City of Sarasota administrative offices and most Sarasota County government offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5, in observation of Labor Day, city and county staff have announced. (Read more »)


Children First wins $10,000 grant to assist low-income families with early childhood education

Organization says that with the number of such families increasing, it continues to contend with a waiting list for assistance

Children First recently received a $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to provide tuition assistance to preschool-age children in low-income families for the 2016-2017 school year, Children First has announced. (Read more »)