Community organizer Lourdes Ramirez uncovered 11 Sarasota County proposals not previously in the public eye.
By Ramon Lopez
Original Air Date: August 18, 2026
Host: Live Local Act affordable housing projects have made waves after a recent rush of applications that prompted the Sarasota County Commission to vote “no” on some of them. The rejection triggered lawsuits that are now unfolding. Community activists are looking at how many Live Local project applications are pending in the county, as Ramon Lopez reports.
Ramon Lopez: It’s called Live Local Act. But opponents of the controversial state law call it the “Help Developers Act.” This, since it allows developers proposing real estate projects to work around local government officials.
The map of all Live Local projects produced by CONA
The Live Local Act’s stated purpose is to increase Florida’s inventory of affordable housing by streamlining the approval process for zoning.
But critics say it actually strips local government bodies and county residents of any role in reviewing many projects pushed by big real estate developers and represents yet another pre-emption of local authority.
There was a rush of new Live Local applications before July 1. That’s when new state restrictions made it more difficult to build apartment complexes on rural land.
It’s been hard to keep track of proposed Live Local Act-backed projects in Sarasota County. Only seven projects county-wide were in the public eye.
But, as President of the Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations, Lourdes Ramirez has compiled a detailed list of such planned developments. This, to help residents understand the potential impact of the new state law.
The information on the 18 Live Local proposals she identified was not readily available in one place. Ms. Ramirez obtained the details through individual public record requests, a time-consuming process.
This map shows the first seven Live Local projects submitted under law | Illustration using a Sarasota County map via Suncoast Searchlight
She said what she learned is alarming. Just five of the proposals could accommodate a total of 19 homes under existing zoning. Under the developers’ Live Local proposals, that number jumps to about 1,135 housing units.
The concerns go beyond increased density. Live Local can also allow greater building heights. Project go-aheads come after what’s called administrative approval. That means projects can be approved by county staff without the normal public hearings and county commission reviews that residents have come to expect for major development proposals.
One Live Local proposal involves two parcels on Ocean Boulevard in Siesta Key. Under the developer’s interpretation of the Live Local Act, density and height limits required by the longstanding Siesta Key Comprehensive Plan would not apply.
But the most controversial real estate project now part of Live Local involves the Smith Farm and Celery Fields. DR Horton, the developer, argues that Live Local could allow over 860 apartments on that property.
Lourdes Ramirez (r.) | Photo: Lopez
We hear from Lourdes Ramirez:
Lourdes Ramirez: Live Local is one of the most controversial and, I think, dangerous for Sarasota County. I am very passionate about Siesta Key—I fight for it tooth and nail—and when it comes to something like mega-hotels, somebody says the word and my blood pressure goes up. When I start seeing the projects—it’s so dangerous for our county.
RL: This is Ramon Lopez for WSLR News.
WSLR News aims to keep the local community informed with our 1/2 hour local news show, quarterly newspaper and social media feeds. The local news broadcast airs on Wednesdays and Fridays at 6pm.