Commissioners say they need more answers, and urge developer to reach a compromise with Old Miakka residents.
Ramon Lopez
Original Air Date: Feb. 26, 2025
Host: Yesterday, Sarasota County commissioners surprised their critics and campaign donors again. In a narrow vote, they postponed a decision on a key part of Lakewood Ranch Southeast, the 4,000-acre, 5,000-home project threatening to overwhelm the county’s rural northeast. That, in turn, prompted yet another groundbreaking event: The developer said they will huddle with activists trying to stop the project. Ramon Lopez reports.
Ramon Lopez: The Sarasota County Commission yesterday (Tuesday Feb 25) conducted a public hearing on the rezoning of 550 acres of prairie land located to the south of the University Parkway extension and north of Fruitville Road, just east of Interstate 75.
Public notice of the rezone hearing. Photo by Ramon Lopez.
The applicant, Taylor Morrison of Florida, wishes to rezone the property from Open Use Rural to Residential Single-Family, allowing for 1,400 houses. But in baseball parlance, the developer this time struck out at home plate. This real estate development would be part of Lakewood Ranch’s proposed southeast extension, allowing for a whopping 5,000 homes on 4,100 acres of property bordering Old Miakka.
The project has been in the works for the past three years, much to the disdain of locals in rural east county, who have fought unsuccessfully to block the massive real estate project at commission hearings and in court.
The matter is being handled piecemeal. A total of seven Lakewood Ranch Southeast Project areas have been going before the county commission for separate rezoning permits in the past several years. Three project areas sailed through their hearings.
Late last month, by a 3 to 2 vote, another project area was narrowly rezoned, with Tom Knight and Mark Smith voting nay, citing concerns, including stormwater management, effects on wetland and traffic congestion.
From left to right: County commissioners Tom Knight, Ron Cutsinger, Joe Neunder, Mark Smith, and Teresa Mast. Photo by Ramon Lopez.
Project Area 2 was before the county commission on Tuesday. The final two project area hearings remain unscheduled. Developer representative Ria Hunter said rezoning of Project Area 2 is critical for the housing project to proceed.
Ria Hunter: This is the missing piece of the puzzle that sits between other project areas that were recently approved by this board.
RL: The developer’s lawyer, Caleb Grimes, said the re-zone applicant has checked all the boxes.
Caleb Grimes: Developments have already been approved all the way around it. It is clearly compatible with those developments, and it is all in conformance with the master development order, and that is in the comprehensive coan as well.
RL: In October 2022, the county approved changes to the comprehensive plan that would allow for the 5,000 new houses. In December 2023, an administrative judge ruled against project opponents. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity in March 2024 rejected an appeal. In late January 2025, a circuit court in Tampa rejected another appeal. The next legal step would be a final appeal to the Florida Supreme Court.
Up until yesterday, the developer had beaten back efforts by the opponents, including East Sarasota County residents Mike Hutchinson and Becky Ayech, to block the new housing development.
Yesterday’s hearing was sparsely attended. None of the activists expected the commission’s ‘nay’ for the big project. Photo by Ramon Lopez.
But in a near-empty commission chamber, the county commissioners this time voted 3-2 to not approve the rezoning request. Commissioners Smith and Knight again voted nay. The critical third nay vote came from Joe Neunder, the new chairman. We hear from Smith, Knight and Neunder.
Mark Smith: I can’t support it for the same reason that I couldn’t support the last one: This development is coming in before Fruitville Road is widened. If they were to tell me that they’re not going to let Burnside Road touch Fruitville until Fruitville is widened, I’d probably have a different opinion, but I think, as a board, we need to look at the amount of water—I’m looking at all the water and lakes—I just can’t imagine this being a good idea when we say open space—as well as the lighting stipulations that I think were suggested at Celery Fields that probably should be changed in our ordinances. To me, it’s ahead of its time because we don’t have the capacity on Fruitville to pick this thing up, so I can’t support it.
Tom Knight: It’s what we said three weeks ago: Wish we had the roads done. Our biggest thing is our infrastructure—our roads. I agree with Commissioner Smith.
Joe Neunder.
Joe Neunder: These decisions are very tough in our community, but on this one, I tend to agree. I think this is a little before its time in my world. I’m going to agree with my colleague Commissioner Smith and think that this one is just not there for me in the prime time at this moment. There’s a lot of other circumstances, I think, that fall into this—that need to be addressed. I will keep it that. With that being said, call the question. All those in favor, please signify by saying “aye.” All those opposed, please signify by saying “nay.” Chair votes “nay.” The motion is denied 3-2.
RL: The rezoning rejection brought a quick response from the developer’s rep Ria Hunter.
RH: There are aspects of this project that we can work with the county on for approval. A lot of other project areas immediately surrounding this development are approved. We would like to proceed in the same manner. If there are any aspects of the project that we can proffer or commit to eminently, we would very much like the opportunity to do so.
RL: Neunder immediately asked his fellow commissioner if they would support a 65-day continuance on the matter. This, so the developer and the project opponents can meet to hopefully resolve their differences regarding the failed rezoning request. The vote was unanimous. We hear from Mark Smith.
MS: Much like we do with other developments that we’ve had issues with, we’ve asked them to work with the community or the neighborhood that they’re developing in or next to. I would ask Mr. Grimes and the applicant to work with the folks with Old Miakka and have some type of consensus, if we could.
Mike Hutchinson. Photo by Ramon Lopez.
RL: Both Mike Hutchinson and Becky Ayech testified at yesterday’s hearing. They said the outcome was a “great win” for Old Miakka. Ayech told WSLR News, “We are seeing the pendulum swing in favor of the people.”
Having lost legal appeals, Hutchinson says he feels better about his chances in court. But he still feels his pending legal challenge remains a “bit of a long shot.”
This is Ramon Lopez for WSLR News.
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