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Siesta Promenade wins BCC approval as designed
Commissioners Detert and Hines oppose plans for height of residential structures and density of project
With Chair Nancy Detert in the minority on all but one of the six votes on Dec. 12, the Sarasota County Commission approved Benderson Development’s plans for 414 condominiums/apartments, a 130-room hotel, 133,000 feet of commercial space and 7,000 feet of office space on approximately 24 acres at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road. (Read more »)
Staff recommendation on awarding contract for Sarasota County bus service to private firm expected after Feb. 8, 2019 presentations
Responses to Request for Proposals to be opened on Dec. 19
Responses to Sarasota County’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for the potential privatization of Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) operations are due on Dec. 19, Rob Lewis, the interim SCAT director, reported to the County Commission this week. (Read more »)
Private meeting likely in early January between county attorney’s staff and County Commission to discuss potential settlement of North Beach Road issues
Item on Dec. 11 Consent Agenda raises anew commission concerns about abiding with language in one County Charter amendment approved on Nov. 6
At the request of Sarasota County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh, the County Commission will hold a “shade” meeting, most likely in January 2019, to discuss how the board wants to proceed with ongoing litigation revolving around two County Charter amendments that won voter approval on Nov. 6. (Read more »)
County staff member rebuked for including information on transportation priority list denoting commission districts in which projects would be built
Commissioner Moran indicates that when he asked about district information, he meant for it to remain private
Since Sarasota County voters on Nov. 6 approved a County Charter amendment instituting single-member districts, commissioners from time to time have joked about looking out for their own constituents in the future. (Read more »)
115-acre North Sarasota site still has potential as location for affordable housing, Sarasota County staff report indicates
Property becomes focus of City Commission discussion regarding possible sites for such home construction
A March 13 Sarasota County Commission discussion has become one focal point for the Sarasota City Commission as it considers how to achieve the construction of more affordable-housing projects in the community. (Read more »)
Sarasota County staff leading by example and encouraging and educating the public about ways to mitigate red tide bloom
People encouraged to report violations of county’s fertilizer ordinance and other environmental regulations
Sarasota County staff members work to lead by example and to educate the public about measures that will reduce the amount of pollutants entering coastal waters, three county representatives told about 50 members of the Siesta Key Association on Dec. 6. (Read more »)
Cooper to leave Chamber position to take on newly created role with Mote Marine
He will serve as vice president for communications and strategic initiatives
The president and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce will be transitioning into a different community role come early 2019. Kevin Cooper is expected to begin his official duties with Mote “at some point during the 1st quarter of 2019,” a news release says, “following an appropriate transition period at the Chamber.” (Read more »)
Siesta Seen
Improved handicapped access planned for Beach Access 2; tweaks possible to county’s dead fish cleaning policy; paid beach parking workshop expected in January; 2018 General Election statistics show Maio winning all Siesta precincts; motorcyclist injured on Ocean Boulevard; and new Sheriff’s Office substation leader has easy time of it during first SKA solo appearance
Better beach access on Siesta Key for handicapped individuals is in the works, The Sarasota News Leader has learned. During the Nov. 27 County Commission meeting, Commissioner Charles Hines talked about the fact that only one handicapped parking space is designated at Beach Access 2, which is at the western end of Avenida Messina. Yet, handicapped people need easier access to the beach, Hines said. (Read more »)
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