The commission unanimously sided against high-profile suburban projects twice in two days.
Ramon Lopez
Original Air Date: Feb. 12, 2025
Host: This is nothing short of a political earthquake: Sarasota County Commissioners voted 5-0 yesterday and today against two major suburban development projects. Yesterday, they responded to an investigative report by the Florida Trident that showed the questionable involvement of a former county commissioner on behalf of the Hi Hat Ranch mega-development, leading to a bad deal for Sarasota taxpayers. But we will get into that later. Here is Ramon Lopez, who was at today’s county commission meeting, and he has this report.
Celery Fields.
Ramon Lopez: It was birds versus builders over a rezoning request that would have had a major environmental impact on the cherished Celery Fields. The bird lovers came out on top this time with the five-member Sarasota County Commission this afternoon voting unanimously in the packed chamber to protect Celery Fields and the 250 bird species found there.
The rezoning was required for go-ahead of a proposed housing development by DR Horton, which calls itself “America’s Largest Homebuilder,” on a little over 49 acres abutting the Sarasota Audubon Nature Center and the Celery Fields at the corner of Raymond Road and Palmer Blvd. The land owned by Smith Properties is currently an agriculturally-zoned cattle farm. DR Horton requested a rezone of the property from Open Use Rural, which allows for only a single house on every 10 acres. The rezone petition would have changed the zoning to Residential Single Family, which allows for four houses per acre. The developer’s plan called for 126 single-family detached homes.
The DR Horton plan.
In the early 1990s, Sarasota County purchased 300-plus acres of east county property known as the Celery Fields. Once devoted to growing celery, it became the county’s primary storm water collection zone and was acquired to address flooding issues in the area. Although it wasn’t designed to host wildlife, birds began to show up in droves.
Attorney Charlie Bailey, who represents DR Horton, said his client’s development plan exemplified responsible growth. He said the project included a 60-foot buffer of foliage and wetlands between the new houses and Celery Fields to mitigate light pollution as much as possible.
Celery Fields flooding.
But the Sarasota Audubon Society says noise and light pollution that would come from the construction would inevitably harm the birds, as would increased traffic in the area.
In four hours of public testimony, the 61 speakers were unanimous in their opposition to the housing development, with many saying it would worsen flooding in the county. Bailey said the proposal complied with current county stormwater standards and the comprehensive plan and should be approved.
There was a surprising nay vote from Commissioner Teresa Mast who represents District 1, which includes the Celery Fields, and is a staunch supporter of the local building industry. We hear from Teresa Mast.
Teresa Mast.
Teresa Mast: For me, life is about a balance. It’s about a balance of housing and environment. It’s about the opportunity to live, work, and play, and generationally live here. For me, this last piece of the puzzle does not fit. It is not compatible, in my opinion, with what this gem is. I do not think that this was a difficult decision. For me, it’s a very methodical process that I went through, and because I don’t believe that it is compatible, I will not be supporting this project.
RL: The vote of the five-person county commission follows the Sarasota County Planning Commission’s 4-3 vote last November to recommend against the rezoning request.
This is Ramon Lopez, reporting for WSLR News.
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