20181228-28 Dec 2018

Annual Year In Review, Part One


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January:

New City of Sarasota employee approved to assist with growing volume of building permits


New Sarasota red light camera contract approved, but without use of license plate reading technology


Parking requirements reduced for smaller housing units to spur development of affordable dwellings


Jonathan Lewis wins quick confirmation this week as the new Sarasota County administrator


Caragiulo chooses not to seek re-election


Proposed Pinecraft zoning regulations win plaudits during first public hearing before County Commission


February:

County libraries spared an extra day of closing but SCAT routes proposed for elimination as part of County Commission effort to balance 2019 fiscal year budget


Avoiding undue pressure to complete North Port facilities in time, Atlanta Braves extend Spring Training agreement with ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex


Medical marijuana dispensaries legalized in specific City of Sarasota zoning districts


Democrat Good takes Florida House 72 seat


New Central Energy Plant to be built on part of surface lot at county’s Ringling Boulevard parking garage


March:

Golf carts to be allowed to operate legally on certain Pinecraft streets but not on any Beneva Road and Bahia Vista Street sidewalks


Pointing to changes in the retail world, Neal Communities team wins County Commission approval of proposed change to 2050 Plan requirements


Water demand in Sarasota County expected to rise from current level of 19.4 million gallons per day to 29.38 million gallons per day by 2039


County’s biggest strengths in facing Hurricane Irma were emergency response team and united county approach to disaster, former FEMA administrator says


April:

Affordable housing project with units dedicated to homeless individuals cleared by City Commission


Splitting 3-2, County Commission agrees to amend Siesta Key zoning regulations to allow potential for shorter setbacks from the street


Class I Emergency Variance in Sarasota County to be good for three years, County Commission agrees


Benderson Development affiliate granted another delay in beginning construction of light warehouse project in Fruitville Initiative area


New mobility impact fee categories designed to encourage affordable housing developments


May:

FDOT says it would not perform traffic signal re-timing to accommodate Siesta Promenade project


More documentation sought on how proposed house fully west of the Gulf Beach Setback Line would not have negative impact on Siesta Key beach


Alpert wins mayor’s post on 3-2 vote


School Avenue to be closed through Sarasota High campus until 10 p.m. on school days


Road swap proposal wins formal County Commission approval, with letter going to FDOT


June:

Details debated for ‘half dwelling unit’ criteria in proposed county ordinance designed to foster creation of affordable housing projects


Data from the past 13 months show changes in handling community homelessness leading to positive results


Army Corps of Engineers announces allocation of funding for the long-term renourishment project planned on Lido Key


FDEP secretary grants permit for dredging of Big Sarasota Pass to renourish Lido Key Beach


Visit Sarasota County president faces barrage of County Commission questions about $675,000 payment to SANCA for Under 23s World Rowing Championships and comments about needing to ‘fill hotel rooms’