Economic development meets the little foxes

What happens when priceless land near a major highway becomes ripe for development as a "major employment center," and residents who have lived in a nearby, placid neighborhood fear for the consequences?

Something of the sort is shaping up at the I-75 exit at Fruitville Road, where Sarasota County is considering allowing a Comp Plan amendment to enable more creative, unified, sensitive planning. At least that's what advocates promise. Opponents say the amendment would open a Pandora's box of higher densities and intensities than the Comp Plan currently permits. The residents fear for the wildlife - foxes, 182 species of birds - and tranquility that have been their lot for generations.

The County Commission will vote on amending the Comp Plan on Tuesday. One possible outcome: deferring a decision until the fall, so that all parties have time to examine potential consequences. Stay tuned.

Additional Planning Meetings Scheduled

Sarasota County continues to seek input on major community issues 

 

Sarasota County Planning Services has scheduled two addition meetings to discuss major community issues that the county's comprehensive plan should address during the next seven years.

 

The meetings are scheduled for:

• 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 10, Sandra Sims Terry Community Center, 509 Collins Road, Laurel
• 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 17, Cooperative Extension Building, Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota

Each meeting will begin with the same overview presentation followed by a facilitated work session. The purpose of these meetings is to seek input from the public in identifying major community issues  that will steer the future direction of the comprehensive plan.

 

People who are unable to attend either meeting may supply comments or suggestions by sending an e-mail to ear@scgov.net. A short, online survey that seeks people's perspectives on issues facing the community is also available at the E.A.R. Web site.

Comp Plan Public Hearing Wednesday

Sarasota County Planning Services invites you to attend the first of several public hearings about proposed amendments to the county’s comprehensive plan before the Sarasota County Commission. The public hearing will take place at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the commission chamber at the County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.

At this public hearing, the county commissioners will take testimony on the following amendments, which will affect several chapters of the comprehensive plan:

• Adding new policies and amending an existing policy to address nonconforming residential densities. The purpose of this amendment is to deal with situations where the density permitted within existing zoning districts exceeds the density allowed by future land use designations on the future land use map.
• Amending policies to limit residential densities to nine units per acre maximum in the in the light office future land use designation.
• Adding the adoption of three new impact fee ordinances and revising a policy regarding school concurrency.

We hope to see you there and please forward this message along to your friends and acquaintances that may have an interest in these proposed changes. If you aren't able to attend, but would like to send in your comments, e-mail them to planner@scgov.net. More information about these amendments can be found on the county’s Web site at www.scgov.net.

Comp Plan Public Hearing Aug. 6

Sarasota County Planning Services invites you to attend the second of three public hearings about proposed amendments to the county’s comprehensive plan before the Sarasota County Planning Commission. The public hearing will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, in the commission chamber at the Sarasota County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.

At this public hearing, the Planning Commission will take testimony on the following amendments, which will affect several chapters of the comprehensive plan:



· Adding a policy and map recognizing the Lemon Bay/Myakka Trail Scenic Highway and the Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway.

· Adding new policies and amending existing policy to address nonconforming residential densities. The purpose of this amendment is to deal with situations where the density permitted within existing zoning districts exceeds the density allowed by future land use designations on the future land use map.

· Amending policies to limit residential densities as allowed by affordable housing policies in the comprehensive plan in the Light Office land use designation.

We hope to see you there and please forward this message along to your friends and acquaintances who may have an interest in these proposed changes. If you aren't able to attend, but would like to send in your comments, e-mail them to planner@scgov.net. More information about these amendments can be found on the county’s Web site at www.scgov.net.