ANNUAL YEAR IN REVIEW – Pt. 2
July:
July 1 property value report shows increases for all local government bodies, compared to June 1 figures
Legacy Trail North Extension Segment 1 and part of Segment 2 open to the public
City Commission majority opposes outside investigation of Mayor Brody over March 29 tirade at City Hall
Annual 5% increases in county utility rates will need to continue through 2027 fiscal year to pay for upgrades to two other wastewater treatment plants
Following more stakeholder meetings, county staff implementing further changes to speed up permitting process for applicants
Siesta Key nonprofit contends county planning staff deferring to developers and failing to engage with residents in regard to proposals for four hotel projects
August:
In advance of Aug. 19 hearing on first of four Siesta Key projects, county staff says it agrees that hotels should be considered commercial uses, with residential density eliminated as a consideration
Sarasota Memorial Hospital staff seeing record numbers of COVID-19 patients
Traffic shifts implemented around Gulfstream Avenue roundabout project initially cause major back-ups, necessitating FDOT tweaks
Metered parking for all St. Armands street zones will rise to $1.50 per hour later this year, and meters will operate on Saturdays
Spitzer hired again to assist with analysis of Sarasota County Commission districts on basis of new Census data, with redistricting potential built into contract
September:
No increase in 2022 fiscal year millage rate after all, County Commission decides during budget workshop
County’s Solid Waste Department staff planning for new solicitation for bids before Waste Management garbage and recycling agreement ends on Sept. 30, 2024
Trends indicate COVID surge in county has peaked, Health Officer tells county commissioners
County administrator apologizes repeatedly during budget hearing in response to complaints about letter utility customers received indicating $233 jump in annual assessment
New park hours take effect on Oct. 1, with county’s beaches and beach accesses to close at 10 p.m.
October:
Population growth combined with new development proves top stressor for county residents as shown in 2021 Citizen Opinion Survey
Illegal spills from pond on site of county wastewater treatment plant linked to degradation of water quality in Roberts Bay
Tweaks to Sarasota County incidental sign ordinance approved to allow ‘private beach’ signs 50 feet apart and 8-foot-high flags
Following failure of negotiations over purchase price, Arts and Cultural Alliance and Artspace lose County Commission support for artists colony at 4644 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota
Diverging diamond project on Clark Road to get underway Oct. 15
Commissioner Maio breaks ties to approve 170-room, eight-story hotel on Calle Miramar on Siesta Key
November:
7-story hotel and 5-story parking garage on south Siesta Key win County Commission approval on 4-1 vote
After listening to residents’ pleas to modify design of roundabout under construction at Gulfstream Avenue and U.S 41, city commissioners vote 4-1 to wait and see how traffic flows after project completed
‘Bed tax’ revenue sets new record in 2021 fiscal year with more than $30 million in collections
Consultant’s redistricting map chosen for implementation in Sarasota County
New county Planning and Development Services facility planned on one of the ‘Quads’ next to the Celery Fields
December:
Siesta resident cites Calle Miramar hotel project’s numerous inconsistencies with county’s Comprehensive Plan in filing complaint to overturn County Commission’s vote of approval
Second lawsuit filed over Siesta Key hotels contends County Commission needed to amend section of Comprehensive Plan that restricts residential intensity on the barrier islands before approving the projects
With only 1 of 28 speakers advocating for new referendum on Single-Member Districts, County Commission still votes unanimously to put issue on March 8, 2022 ballot
The three male Sarasota city commissioners shoot down proposal for alternative signage at ‘Unconditional Surrender’ statue to explain what really happened between couple depicted
Public pleads for County Commission to boost allocation for affordable housing efforts out of $84.2 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds
Sarasota’s elected mayor would have at-large seat on the City Commission for four years and be able to vote on issues, Charter Review Committee majority decides
OPINION (free):
