20171110-10 Nov 2017


Design of roundabout FDOT plans for U.S. 41 and Gulfstream Avenue needs to be reconsidered on basis of latest traffic counts, Longboat town manager says

Conceptual design for roundabout completed prior to collection of vehicle data in late winter, Dave Bullock tells County Commission

The Town of Longboat Key has asked the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to review the latest traffic counts for the area — completed in April — as state staff proceeds with planning for a roundabout at the intersection of Gulfstream Avenue and U.S. 41 in downtown Sarasota. FDOT’s conceptual design for the roundabout was finished before the most recent data was obtained, Town Manager Dave Bullock told the Sarasota County Commission during a joint meeting of that board and the Town Commission, held Nov. 1. (Read more »)


Replacement wall at the Sandcastle Resort wins Sarasota City Commission approval on 3-1 vote

State environmental protection staff suggested that one section be moved out 68 feet, to prevent potential for worse property damage from storm surge

Sarasota Vice Mayor Liz Alpert cast the deciding vote this week as the City Commission approved a special permit for the replacement of a “beach protection device” — or wall — to replace an aging structure at the Sandcastle Resort at Lido Key. (Read more »)


Proposed zoning text amendment would give County Commission final say on street setbacks for new commercial structures on Siesta Key

Planning Commission expected to address the issue on Dec. 7

On behalf of the owners of Clayton’s Siesta Grille, Charles D. Bailey III of the Williams Parker law firm has filed a proposed Sarasota County zoning text amendment that would give the County Commission final say over how far certain new commercial structures would have to be set back from the road on Siesta Key. (Read more »)


Since 2013 fiscal year, only 16 jobs have been created by companies that received Sarasota County economic development incentives, commissioner says

Michael Moran continues quest to ensure taxpayers receive sufficient return on the county’s investment in the program

From the beginning of the 2013 fiscal year through late October, only 16 jobs had been created in Sarasota County as a result of economic development incentives provided to companies, according to figures Commissioner Michael Moran pulled from a recent report by the county’s Office of Business and Economic Development. (Read more »)


City’s Tree Advisory Committee members finally seated

City Commission spends biggest part of discussion in effort to appoint neighborhood representatives

It took slightly less than 25 minutes on Nov. 6 — with most of the voting related to neighborhood representatives — for the Sarasota City Commission to appoint members to its new Tree Advisory Committee. That group has been charged with advising the City Commission on tweaks to the city’s Tree Ordinance, which has generated numerous complaints from residents and developers. (Read more »)


Sarasota County and Longboat commissions agree to ask West Coast Inland Navigation District board if that organization can take on beach management role

Longboat town manager makes the case that increasing competition and litigation over sand underscores need for change in handling of renourishment projects

Given both the increasing cost of beach renourishment projects and the heightened level of competition for sand sources, the Sarasota County Commission and the Longboat Town Commission have agreed that it would be beneficial for one entity to handle beach management for Southwest Florida. (Read more »)


City of Sarasota working with Governor’s Office in pursuit of short-term, emergency renourishment of Lido Beach

City Commission also agrees to advisory board request to make stabilization of Lido shoreline a top priority

City of Sarasota staff is working with Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s staff to determine whether the city can pursue an emergency renourishment of Lido Key’s critically eroded beach, City Manager Tom Barwin told the City Commission this week. (Read more »)


FDOT allocates $7.5 million for Legacy Trail’s North Extension in its latest five-year work program

Legislature has to approve the funding, but neither it nor the governor can delete line items from the program, county staff says

Although The Legacy Trail lost out on one source of state funding last year, it has a new chance for state support through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Sarasota County staff has announced. (Read more »)


Siesta Seen

Fiber optic cable project to start Nov. 13; mosquito swarms necessitate county action; parking, traffic and trespassing questions aired during SKA meeting; and Siesta Village getting new amenities

The manager of the MCI fiber optic cable project planned on the Key has coordinated with Sarasota County staff and the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce to begin work on Monday, Nov. 13, Lisa Cece, the county’s special district coordinator, announced in a Nov. 6 email. (Read more »)


Credit card skimming devices found at Quik store on Fruitville Road in Sarasota

Sarasota Police Department urging customers to check their bank statements

On Monday, Nov. 6, seven “skimming” devices were discovered on gas pumps at Quik (formally known as the Dodge Store), located at 3580 Fruitville Road in Sarasota, the Sarasota Police Department announced on Nov. 7. The store is at the Beneva Road intersection. (Read more »)


Sand sculptures to transform Siesta Key Beach during eighth Crystal Classic international festival

Event will open on Friday, Nov. 10, and conclude on Nov. 13

Twelve teams of sand sculptors from around the world will compete during the eighth annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic International Sand Sculpting Festival, which will take place on Siesta Public Beach Nov. 10-13. Sculptors will begin designing their massive works on Friday, Nov. 10, with the winning sculptures to be announced during an awards ceremony at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, a news release notes. (Read more »)


Baltimore Orioles once again a partner with Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program for Thanksgiving

Donations of non-perishable food items being collected at Ed Smith Stadium; volunteers needed to help sort the donations on Nov. 17

The Baltimore Orioles and the Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program are teaming up again this year to collect and distribute food to help people in need in Sarasota, the Major League Baseball team has announced. As of Nov. 6, the Orioles have begun collecting non-perishable food items at Ed Smith Stadium. (Read more »)


Health officials warning the public to take precautions against mosquito-borne illnesses

West Nile virus detected in sentinel chicken flock

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) advised residents on Nov. 3 that it had detected an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in areas of Sarasota County. (Read more »)


Roads to be closed in downtown Sarasota in preparation for Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11

Police Department advising the public that towing will be enforced for violations

The City of Sarasota, in conjunction with the Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee, will co-host the annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. in downtown Sarasota, the city has announced. (Read more »)


Fitch and S&P give AA+ rating to Sarasota County bonds being issued for Atlanta Braves’ stadium funding

Bonds to be repaid by Tourist Development Tax revenue

Both Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings have given an AA+ rating to the approximately $21.5-million capital improvement revenue bonds Sarasota County will issue later this month to finance its portion of the Atlanta Braves Spring Training stadium complex, the county has announced. (Read more »)


Sarasota County seeking public comments on draft concept plan for new dog park in Osprey

Workshop to be held on Nov. 16 at Historic Spanish Point

On Nov. 16, Sarasota County staff will host a community workshop especially geared toward dog owners, the county has announced. The purpose of the event is to gather public comments on the draft concept plan for an enclosed, off-leash dog park at the 19-acre Bay Street Park, located at 300 E. Bay St., near U.S. 41 in Osprey. (Read more »)


Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office reaccredited

Department also honored with top state accreditation award for the third time

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has been re-accredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA), Sheriff Tom Knight has announced. The agency received its official notification at the Commission’s general meeting last week, a news release notes. Assessors conducted a three-day on-site visit in August to examine policies, management, operations and support services. (Read more »)