Updates from SCAN's meeting at the Audubon Nature Center

Another good SCAN meeting on March 21st brought out many concerned about the Celery Fields, as well as others whose neighborhoods are under duress from developer proposals, including Heritage Oaks and the North Venice Neighborhood Alliance, Siesta Village, Sylvan Lea, Old Miakka, and more. 

At this meeting, Susan Schoettle presented an overview of the planning process -- we'll have a .pdf file of her power point presentation that all will have access to. And engineer Steve Suau spoke of the new flood maps that will be made public March 27. Many who will hear from their banks that they must purchase flood insurance -- but the maps will in many cases be inaccurate. Homeowners will need to do a map amendment to correct the errors.

Rob Wright speaking at the Nature Center 3.21.24

Siesta Key:

Many attended an online neighborhood workshop regarding a proposed mega-hotel from Gary Kompothecras near the south Siesta Key bridge on Wednesday, March 20. Many on the call asked penetrating questions showing they have closely studied the plan, the proposed parking, the site, the height of the proposed hotel and much more.

Two new stories from the News Leader:

Benderson revises proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments crafted to permit high-rise hotels on Siesta Sarasota News Leader

County Commission agrees to pay Ramirez $170,000 and second set of litigants $101,278.20 to wrap up hotel lawsuits filed in 2021  Sarasota News Leader

Hotel proposals seek reversal of Siesta Key legal victories after two-year court battle Herald Tribune

Celery Fields:

Members of public plead for county to purchase Smith Properties next to Celery Fields, but county’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources director says pending development deal forbids any intervention at this point Sarasota News Leader

Letter to Parks Director Nicole Rissler

Old Miakka

At the March 21 SCAN meeting at the Audubon Nature Center, Mike Hutchinson said he and Eileen Fitzgerald will appeal the latest court ruling that did not find a problem with Rex Jensen and Pat Neal paving the rural heritage area of East Sarasota County.

Letter to the County Commission concerning the history of Old Miakka from Becky Ayech.

Old Miakka Schoolhouse

And in the city:

CityPac will hold a candidate forum for city commission candidates. City residents are also concerned with overdevelopment, strange planning, and insider dealing. The forum at Selby Library is open to all. It's on Thursday, March 28 at 5 pm.