This Week in Local Government

On Monday, the City of Sarasota Commission will vote on an appeal by the developer of 1260 N. Palm residences (fka Obsidian) and discuss a change to parking requirements for new developments. On election day, the New College Board of Trustees will meet to submit to approval by the state a financing deal for its acquisition of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. Wednesday, the Sarasota County Commission will discuss the Stickney Point Road acquisition. At a community workshop Wednesday, the developer of Ringling and Orange will present their mixed-use highrise proposal. And on Friday, the Sarasota City Commission will swear in two at-large commissioners and pick a mayor.

Monday (11/02)

City of Sarasota Commission (agenda)

Highlights: Recognizing Eat Local Week; Affordable Housing Advisory Committee report; updating the transportation chapter of the comprehensive plan (allowing for less parking if a development complies with multimodal transportation requirements); appeal by the developer of 1260 N. Palm Residences (fka Obsidian).

9:00 AM

City Hall chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota

City of Sarasota Commission special meeting (agenda)

Highlight: Several changes to the zoning code.

5:30 PM

City Hall chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota

Tuesday (11/03)

City of Sarasota Downtown Improvement District (agenda)

Highlights: Downtown parking outreach and survey; State Street mural; Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association quarterly report; Farmers Market activation; Black Friday event; Light Up the Night event; downtown parks and green space.

10:00 AM

City Hall chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota

New College Board of Trustees (agenda)

Highlight: Vote on a financing deal for the acquisition of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus that requires approval by the Florida Board of Governors.

2:30 PM

College Hall, music room, 351 College Drive, Sarasota

Wednesday (11/04)

Sarasota County Commission (agenda)

Highlights: University of Florida Innovation Station year-end report; $3 million for flood and storm resilience projects: potable water pump stations wind retrofit, Sandy Nook Street gravity system upsize, and Baywood II Lift Station conversion; $88 million in additional spending for FY 2027; Live Local lawsuit update from county attorney; Commissioner Knight on FY 2027-28 budget; Community Foundation and Gulf Gate golf course acquisition; Community Housing Trust proposal for 2400 Hatton Street; Stickney Point Road acquisition.

9:00 AM

County Administration Center, chambers, 1 Apex Road, Sarasota

City of Sarasota Development Review Committee (agenda)

Highlights: 10th Street Self-Storage; pre-application conference for Hart’s Landing improvements; Pineapple Avenue corridor improvements.

9:00 AM

City Hall chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota

City of Sarasota Public Art Committee (agenda)

Highlights: Developer public art – Bayside Phase 1; Lido Beach Pavilion murals; Fresh Friday projection mapping with Ringling College students; City of Sarasota One Stop Shop art opportunity; Spirit of Sarasota postcard project with the airport; McCown Towers mural with Sarasota Housing Authority; Cocoanut and Gulfstream sculpture (replacement for “Mr. Red”).

1:30 PM

City Hall chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota

City of Sarasota community workshop (agenda):

Highlight: Ringling and Orange mixed-use development.

5:30 PM

McCulloch Pavilion (Architecture Sarasota), 265 S. Orange Avenue, Sarasota

Thursday (11/05)

City of Sarasota comprehensive plan open house (agenda)

Highlight: Proposed change to the Recreation and Open Space chapter in the comprehensive plan.

5:30 PM

SRQ Media Studio, City Hall, 1565 First Street, Sarasota

Friday (11/06)

City of Sarasota Commission statutory meeting (agenda)

Highlights: State of the City address by Mayor Debbie Trice; recognition of outgoing Commissioner Trice; swearing-in of two at-large commissioners; selection of mayor and vice mayor.

noon

City Hall chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota