Lourdes Ramirez was ‘shocked’ by the commission’s decision to delay their decision-making
By Ramon Lopez
Original Air Date: September 13, 2024
Host: Perhaps surprisingly, the Sarasota County Commission on Wednesday passed up a chance to increase density on Siesta Key. Ramon Lopez has the story.
Ramon Lopez: The Sarasota County Commission on Wednesday, September 11th conducted a public hearing. They reviewed proposed changes to Siesta Key’s Comprehensive Plan. The Sarasota Planning Commission board rejected the proposed change to the Comp Plan, with an 8–0 vote, a few weeks ago. Protect Siesta Key and the Siesta Key Condominium Council said the revisions would increase the size of multi-family buildings, such as condos, timeshares and apartments, in the residential districts on Siesta Key. The changes were sought by a timeshare corporation on Siesta Key called Sea Club Five. The company seeks to rebuild their structure.
A bit of background is needed here: The proposal suggests allowing decades-old multifamily structures — which already exceed the maximum permitted densities and heights in the current zoning regulations — to become even larger. Many multi-family structures were platted or constructed prior to the implementation of current zoning regulations.
Since 1975, the maximum height for structures in the residential multifamily districts has been 35 feet for Districts 1 and 2, and 45 feet for District 3. Presently, 137 structures, including Sea Club Five just south of the Stickney Point Bridge, exceed these height limits, as they were built before the adoption of these regulations. Those structures cover about one-third of Siesta Key’s total real estate.
While the zoning regulations allow these structures to be rebuilt in the event of destruction by a disaster, if they are to be demolished voluntarily, they must adhere to the current zoning regulations regarding size including height. The proposed change to the Comprehensive Plan would allow these already tall structures to be rebuilt with parking underneath the residences, potentially increasing their height. Additionally, the changes would reduce the side yard and rear yard setbacks.
Opponents of Siesta Key overdevelopment say the proposed new regs represent a Trojan Horse for developers, adding more and larger residences in an already crowded island.
Lourdes Ramirez
Surprisingly, the normally pro-development county commissioners were opposed to making such reg changes for now. They called for a yet-to-be scheduled workshop, with much public input, to further consider the matter before a vote to change the comp plan. That won’t happen until the next county commission is assembled after the November election.
Outspoken community activist Lourdes Ramirez was ‘shocked’ by the commissioners deciding to take no action at the meeting.
Lourdes Ramirez: I was shocked. I have to admit I was shocked, because I knew where Commissioner Smith stood, but I thought the others would go along with it. And I was pretty pleasantly surprised how concerned they were over the unintended consequences that might happen on Siesta Key.
RL: Commissioners Joe Neunder, Neil Rainford, and Ron Cutsinger, respectively, said the brakes should be applied.
Joe Neunder: I would be in favor of taking a little more time, in the form of a continuance, to get more public input on this, to really make sure that we’re doing everything in our power to really protect Siesta Key. It is the jewel of Sarasota County. It is our beaches. It is our water. And I just feel inside here that it’s going to require, in my mind, a little more time. So, if we were to push this forward as it exists today, I would be a no and couldn’t support it. However, I could support a continuance where we had a little more public input.
Neil Rainford: I think it’s a worthy conversation. It sounds like it’ll go on beyond my term on this board. But I’d definitely be in favor of continuing the conversation.
Ron Cutsinger: I’m glad to agree with that. I think, I can’t get comfortable with this right now.
RL: Commissioner Mark Smith initially defended the reg changes, but later caved in on the matter…after hearing from the others.
Mark Smith: May I suggest that this board consider a workshop on this issue, and that we could invite the public, I’m sure at workshops, to come and give their thoughts. And we could just discuss all the issues that have come up and maybe get some more public testimony. And so that would be my suggestion if the board would like to do that.
RL: Lourdes Ramirez considers the county commission’s decision to make no decision for now a win for those who want to keep Siesta Key the way it is.
Lourdes Ramirez: I think it’s a win. The reason why I think it’s a win is because I really truly believe that we were not going to win this one, that they were going to pass it. And the fact that they were so concerned about what’s happening on Siesta Key and they were willing to have the next group of commissioners review it … I think that it really is a win for us. Because it shows that we were wrong about their feelings about Siesta Key. So I think it’s a win.
RL: This is Ramon Lopez for WSLR News.
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