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City Commission asks for more details from staff before deciding on next steps in regard to paid parking program in downtown Sarasota and on St. Armands
Parking stations already scheduled to go into use on St. Armands Circle when parking garage completed in December
As City of Sarasota staff prepares to install parking pay stations on St. Armands Circle, merchants in the shopping district have voiced growing frustration over the fact that metered parking will not be returning to downtown Sarasota at the same time. (Read more »)
Siesta Promenade expected to generate 8,379 more vehicle trips per day, with 781 more vehicles on the road during peak afternoon drive time
Leader of opposition to proposed plans stresses concern about traffic on neighborhood roads and other issues
Sarasota County Transportation Planning staff expects the proposed Siesta Promenade mixed-use project at the northwest intersection of Stickney Point Road and U.S. 41 to generate 8,379 new vehicle trips per day. That information is part of a county Development Review Committee (DRC) report The Sarasota News Leader obtained this week from county Planning and Development Services Department staff. (Read more »)
Judge dismisses Siesta Key Association’s Big Pass case in 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Sarasota
Nonprofit plans to file an amended complaint as Sarasota city manager urges end to litigation
A 12th Judicial Circuit Court judge has dismissed a verified complaint the Siesta Key Association (SKA) filed against the City of Sarasota in early 2017, seeking to stop the dredging of Big Sarasota Pass to renourish about 1.6 miles of South Lido Key Beach. (Read more »)
Circuit Court judge rules that Cosentino Charter amendments can stay on Nov. 6 ballot
New complaint filed by different set of North Beach Road property owners, seeking to strike the amendments from ballot or a declaration they are unenforceable, if they pass
Following an expedited hearing on Oct. 12, a 12th Judicial Circuit Court judge has ruled that two proposed Sarasota County Charter amendments relating to North Beach Road can stay on the Nov. 6 General Election ballot. In an order signed on Oct. 15, Judge Frederick P. Mercurio wrote, “The Court finds no irregularities in the proposed amendment titles or ballot summaries.” (Read more »)
Voters urged to be prepared to mark their ballots if they plan to use early voting option or go to their precincts on Election Day
Marked sample ballots or personal ‘cheat sheets’ considered welcome assistance to citizens not voting by mail, supervisor of elections says
With Nov. 6 looming, Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner has one big worry. The General Election ballot is packed, so voters who enter a polling place unprepared for what they will see could end up taking a long time to make their decisions, Turner told The Sarasota News Leader in a recent telephone interview. (Read more »)
After wind rating concerns raised about 17th Street structure, city staff to conduct more research into storage options for its central records
Engineering consultant prompts City Commission to back away from deal that had been negotiated
It is back to the proverbial “Square One” for City of Sarasota Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini in her effort to find a more weather-tight and secure location for storage of the municipality’s central records. (Read more »)
Latest ‘bed tax’ revenue report shows impact of red tide on tourism in Sarasota County
Visit Sarasota County leaders tell Tourist Development Council members about strategies to combat negative publicity
Since red tide began making the national news in early August, Sarasota County leaders have expected the corresponding decline in visitors to be reflected in the county’s Tourist Development Tax — or “bed tax” — collections. (Read more »)
New contract for Homeless Outreach Team beds at Salvation Army wins City Commission approval
Agreement will maintain options for teams to reserve from 10 to 30 beds each day, depending on need
With no comment, the Sarasota City Commission this week unanimously approved a $316,250 contract with the Salvation Army, so the organization will maintain 20 beds for homeless individuals in conjunction with the work of the Sarasota Police Department’s Homeless Outreach Teams (HOT). (Read more »)
Property next to Vamo Drive Park to be purchased by county to increase public access to the water
County Commission approves $3,434,650 out of funds for land protection, with part of money going to improvements to the site
With widespread support from neighbors of the property, the Sarasota County Commission unanimously approved paying $2,725,000 for 2.79 acres at 1710/1700 Vamo Drive, including 226 linear feet of direct waterfront access on Little Sarasota Bay, for passive park purposes. (Read more »)
Siesta Seen
Cosentino appeals dismissal of North Beach Road case against county; Ramirez denied rehearing in civil suit; SKA vice president raises questions about county-owned spoil island in Big Pass; St. Boniface offering help to people struggling financially because of red tide; crash on Ocean Boulevard damages sign and fence; and SKA to raise membership dues
Siesta resident Mike Cosentino has appealed the 12th Judicial Circuit Court’s dismissal of his North Beach Road complaint against Sarasota County to the Second District Court of Appeal. The appeal court formally acknowledged the new case on Oct. 11. (Read more »)
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