Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
North Port leaders are making a strong effort to attract more people to meetings.
But turnout is anything but great. Only two people showed up to Tuesday evening's community budget input meeting.
"We keep on hearing people complain about the city, but no one ever shows up to the meetings to ask questions or voice their concerns and complaints," said North Port resident Kevin Burris.
Burris told North Port Community Correspondent Victoria Scott that he wants to change the mold.
"We're going to be coming to more," he said.
City Manager Jerome Fletcher gave a presentation on where money could be allocated in the upcoming fiscal year.
Some examples include infrastructure projects and public safety.
ENGLEWOOD — Market on Dearborn has become a heated topic in Englewood.
Residents and officials are looking at West Dearborn Street plans that some consider controversial.
The Hesse family, which owns a real estate office and adjoining property at West Dearborn and McCall Road, is asking Sarasota County for a special zoning exception to have outdoor events on the land. It’s been OK’d by the Sarasota County Planning Commission.
Now the Sarasota County Board of Commissioner take up the topic at its meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday at 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice.
The half-acre venue would offer semi-permanent food and adult beverage selections. About 70 temporary vendor booths would be set for weekly markets, special events and brunches.
The Hesse family is considering movie nights, corn mazes, Easter egg hunts and other festivals.
SPECIAL EXCEPTION
Paradise Exclusive Real Estate managing broker/co-owner Brian Faro has worked with the Hesse family since the beginning phases of their market. He said he’s excited to see new concepts come to Dearborn Street.
“Every zoning has its permitted uses, special exception uses and prohibited uses,” Faro said.
Prohibited uses have to be rezoned whereas a special exception is a different process.
“This is just a special exception process because they want to make sure that they know every detail about that specific project, and they can provide guidance, and maybe even restrictions which in this case, they have to allow it to work in flow with what the master plan is,” Faro said.
A lot of time is spent with the Sarasota County planners to make sure that every single consideration is given to the project.
Dozens of people from Englewood wrote letters to the Planning Board supporting the concept. Others pointed out problems they believe the special exception will create.
Criticism includes parking problems on West Dearborn Street, and the potential of the market customers to take spaces for people shopping and eating in restaurants that are already operating on the street.
Others say the special exception would allow the market to be open 365 days a year.
“It’s not every day of the year,” Faro said. “I think the max they can have is 260 days a year that it can be used, so they are losing 105 days that they cannot operate at all.”
Faro said any property on Dearborn Street is allowed 105 days for farmers markets due to the current main street overlay district. About 155 days could be used by the Hesses for special events.
“It’s really not a whole lot,” he said. “If you take into consideration, rain days, and other events, weather permitting, heat, things like that, it’s just not going to be able to operate nearly to the capacity that I think some people perceive it to be.”
Other restrictions include operating inside of the hours 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. along with the inability to allow second hand sales like flea markets.
“In the event that this is approved, and they go to do one of those things that is considered restricted, that becomes a code violation, and they will get cited for that,” Faro said. “This local family has gone through every bit of the process to make sure it meets all the needs of the county.”
Faro said the Market on Dearborn is not there to compete with the other merchants.
Another criticism was the potential of alcohol. Before, the parcel was a tavern, and many would not like a repeat.
“Alcohol is mentioned because, again, you have to mention every single thing that you might possibly do,” Faro said. “The county knows that’s something they anticipate doing, and they have the opportunity to say whether that’s OK or not.”
The county requires that alcohol must be served over 500 feet from a school from one property line to the other, and it must be over 800 feet from door to door.
Faro said that he wants to help clear up any misconceptions the market may have, and answer questions.
Other community members supported the plan, saying it will bring family events and weekend activities to Dearborn Street.
The Englewood Moose Lodge 1933 supports the market.
“The owners of the property at 232 and 200 West Dearborn Street are investing millions of their own money to help beautify a blighted area within a Community Redevelopment Area (CRA),” Jay Andrade wrote. “The more events and exposure on Dearborn Street, means the more business for the business owners along the street — It is literally a win, win for everyone.”
Leslie Brown who is the neighbor of the Hesse Team, and owner of Sip-Sip Hooray had concerns about the market, but discussed her concerns with the Hesse family to understand the market better.
“I am excited to have a ‘good neighbor,’ and am looking forward to the activity and attention it will bring to the street,” Brown stated. “Dearborn is the new, best destination in Sarasota County.”
Opposition Old Englewood Village Association President Kathi Obendorfer is against the special exception, saying it violates the Englewood Community Redevelopment Areas Main Street Overlay District’s rules.
Dearborn Street is subject to the MSOD overlay that provides rules and regulations for zoning. Outdoor farmers markets are permitted, but limited to two consecutive days in any given week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m, while special events are limited to four times a year.
The Hesse’s special exception would allow them to exceed the special event limit, and not have to constantly apply for a temporary use permit.
Obendorfer said that OEVA has a mission of bringing about the civic betterment and social improvements of the Englewood community.
Commissioners OK Dearborn Street event venue - with stipulations
Sarasota County Commissioners voted to allow a special exception for the proposed Market on Dearborn event venue — with some stipulations.
The commissioners voted 4-1 for the exception, with Commissioner Neil Rainford opposing.
The Hesse family, which owns the Paradise Exclusive real estate office and adjoining property at West Dearborn Street and McCall Road, asked the county for a special zoning exception to have outdoor events throughout the year.
The half-acre venue would include semi-permanent food stations and about 70 temporary booths for vendors. Activities could include weekly markets, special events, brunches, holiday festivities and more.
West Dearborn Street rules allow for farmers markets, however, they must be held on two consecutive days per week, totaling 104 per year.
In December, the property owners began having markets on Thursdays and Saturdays, but canceled the Saturday sessions due to the restrictions.
Without the special exception, the business would also be allowed four large special events in one year, and they would have to go through the county's Temporary Use Permit process, which makes sure security, parking and health concerns are met.
The Hesse family's special exception request was for events on 260 days, or five days a week, during a year.
After a couple of hours of public input and discussion, commissioners pared that down, stipulating the property owners could have 104 events beyond what's already allowed.
They would also have to build permanent restrooms before the special exception would go into effect.
Dozens of people came to the meeting Tuesday, packing the commission meeting room at the Robert L. Anderson building in South Venice. Many in favor of the request wore white shirts to show support.
John Watson, manager of the Dearborn Coffeehouse and Bakery, said the plan represents an opportunity to get more families to the street, which is a good thing for business. He said he saw a 10-20% bump in business during farmers market days.
"For a small business, that bump is quite a bit," he said, suggesting more events would mean more business.
Others pointed to potential problems, especially parking in the area when special events take place. There is no provision for parking on the property in the current plan.
Jacqulyn Mack-Majka, who lives nearby, said people attending the current farmers markets will park illegally on empty lots and often in front of her land, blocking her driveway.
The Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is celebrating its 3,500 nurses with a week of activities in recognition of National Nurses Week, May 6-12.
May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who’s considered the founder of modern nursing.
The theme selected for 2024 by the American Nurses Association is “Nurses Make the Difference,” to honor the varying roles of nurses and their positive impact on people’s lives, a news release said.
“For over the past two decades, there has been no profession more trusted than nursing,” Sarasota Memorial Chief Nursing Officer Connie Andersen said in the release. “Caregiver, counselor, educator, advocate, leader … we can’t thank our nurses enough for all the vital ways they care for patients and our community.”
SMH is the only hospital in the region to achieve Magnet recognition from American Nurses Association’s Credentialing Center, and is among a select few — less than 1% nationally — that have achieved it for 20 consecutive years, it says.
Residents reported sewage flowing out of manholes on Cinco de Mayo in Manatee County.
The Manatee County Utilities Department responded to reports of wastewater gurgling up manholes on 14th Street West and 53rd Avenue West in Bradenton at about 5:45 p.m. on May 5.
Also in Manatee:An island in Manatee County once planned to be a state park now for sale for $75 million
And:Manatee County officials discuss Jewfish Key, a new road roundabout and Gulf Islands Ferry
Staff found the issue was caused by a grease mat in a nearby lift station that prevented floats from operating property, resulting in discharge from five different manholes. About 1,550 gallons of wastewater was discharged before county staff broke up the grease mat and manually turned the lift station pumps on.
"It is important to remind residents and visitors to refrain from dumping fats, oils and grease down the drain because it can lead to clogs like this," Manatee County Spokesman Bill Logan said.
He added there is legislation being developed in Congress called the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Act, also known as the WIPPES Act, aimed at requiring a "do not flush" label on packaging for certain products to help prevent wastewater system issues such as the one experienced in Manatee County on Cinco de Mayo.
County staff rinsed the asphalt and sidewalks with potable water, and standing water was vacuumed out of storm drain boxes and stormwater lines. The inside of a nearby pawn shop was also cleaned up. County officials estimate that about 75% of the spill was recovered.
Some raw wastewater entered storm water drains adjacent to the overflowing manholes. Wastewater compliance staff will conduct sampling for fecal coliform and enterococcus to determine the extent of the impact on surface waters of the state.
VENICE — The Planning Commission needed little time Tuesday to vote to recommend City Council approval of two changes to the land-development regulations.
The changes would allow design alternatives requested by Storsafe, a self-storage facility, when it submitted a proposed site-and-development plan for the redevelopment of its facility at 124 and 132 Warfield Ave. in the Seaboard area.
Storsafe had asked to be excused from interior landscaping requirements on the property because of a lack of space, and from landscaping that would have been required along the foundation of the building along the right of way.
VENICE — The Sarasota County Commission decided to move forward with a comprehensive plan amendment affecting county land in Nokomis despite opposition from residents who decried its potential environmental impact.
A staff-initiated petition proposed to change the future land use designation of about 107 acres at the northwest corner of the intersection of Knights Trail Road and Rustic Road from Public Conservation/Preservation to Major Government Uses.
The petition came with an 8-0 recommendation from the county Planning Commission for approval by the County Commission and transmittal to the state Department of Economic Opportunity, as required by state law.
The transmittal should have occurred already but was delayed because the boundaries of the property have changed three times, Capital Projects Facilities Manager Brad Gaubatz said.
County Administrator Jonathan Lewis said staff did a “deep dive” in 2018 into all county-owned land and its potential uses.
The land in question was already zoned for government use and is located in a growing area where the demand for services has been increasing, he said.
It’s part of a 320-acre county property, Planner Ana Messina said, and the proposed change doesn’t affect the property’s zoning. Rather, she said, it just brings the future land use designation in line with it.
In fact, the staff report says, the change isn’t actually required, because GU zoning covers all the intended uses. It’s being sought for uniformity, the report says.
A parcel to the north is the projected site of the county’s planned fire academy, while the parcel in question will be home to a new fleet facility at an unspecified point in the future.
Already occupying the property to the west are a public park, recreation and athletic facilities, a gun range and a sheriff’s training facility, according to the staff report.
The parcel in question is undeveloped, however, and dedicated in perpetuity for conservation in the comp plan, Shari Thornton said in opposing the change.
Thornton, who’s running for the District 3 seat on the Commission this year, said that putting the county’s fleet facility on the property wouldn’t be “maintaining its existing use,” which the plan requires.
The county is “chipping away” at the protected status of the land, she said.
Joan Farrell, who said she was speaking both as a concerned citizen and a Venice City Council member, urged the Commission not to “commandeer” the land for government uses.
In making a motion to transmit the amendment, Commissioner Joe Neunder said the issue is improving the resources staff needs to provide services in South County.
“I don’t really have any heartburn on this one,” he said.
The motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Mark Smith opposed.
His problem, he said, was that “somebody dropped the ball” by putting a future use of conservation on land zoned for government use.
Florence and the Spice Boys, serving Middle Eastern fusion street food, is set to open a 2,500-square-foot restaurant this fall in the West District of University Town Center.
The planned restaurant at 257 N. Cattlemen Road #90, across the street from Barnes & Noble , would be the second for owners Carl Kolber and husband-and-wife team Florence and Steven Schmitt.
The Spice Boys started as a food truck in 2019 and quickly gained a following for their street food, described as visually beautiful and delicious. The owners decided to park the truck permanently and opened their first brick-and-mortar restaurant in March 2023 at The Landings, 4990 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
Similar to the original restaurant, the UTC eatery will feature lush greenery and a mix of bohemian and eclectic décor, “weaving rattan and neon to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere,” according to a news release from Benderson Development.
The restaurant will open onto a large patio with an indoor-outdoor bar, where craft cocktails will be served.
The restaurant menu will feature original classics, like the turmeric fried chicken sandwich, vegan falafel pita taco and chicken shawarma taco, plus other elevated dishes.
Other upcoming additions to UTC include Naked Farmer, a farm-to-fork concept scheduled to open this June, and Pura Vida Miami, a health-conscious all-day café opening late summer.
The Benderson-owned UTC includes over 250 specialty stores, 80-plus restaurants, three hotels and over 250,000 square feet of office space.
Callaway Johnson arrived at Firkins, an auto dealership in Bradenton, just before 5 p.m. on Monday evening, ready to help place numbered stickers on more than 30,000 yellow rubber duckies.
Johnson joined more than 100 other volunteers in Bradenton as they prepped for the Lucky Ducky Race for Pace.
It’s a major fundraiser for the Pace Center for Girls.
Johnson, a rising senior at Manatee High School, helped get her service group Mam’Selles to volunteer.
“Bringing in my closest friends who share the same passion that I do,” said Johnson, “It’s really a special moment we can bond over.”
The Center offers life, health and academic help for middle and high school girls.
Heather Shrum has been organizing the event since its inception in 2009.
“Well, the first year, we raised 5,000 ducks — we didn’t even sell them all," she said. "And this year we are up to 32,000, and we are gonna sell out just like we did last year at 30,000.”
And all the money raised, like the $180,000 in 2023, goes directly to girls in the Pace program.
Pace helps girls dealing with family trauma like abuse, addiction, even girls who’ve been trafficked.
-----------------------------------
*For more info about the Lucky Ducky Race for Pace:
- Plans are under way! Ducks will be racing May 11th on the Manatee River at Caddy's Bradenton!
- Pace Center for Girls will be racing 30,000+ adorable rubber ducks down the Manatee River for prizes, including a 2 year lease on a Jeep sponsored by Firkins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (or $5,000 cash!), Weekly Dinner for TWO at Anna Maria Oyster Bar for a FULL YEAR (some restrictions apply), an Outfit a Month for a full year from the Teal Turtle Boutique - and more!
- YOU can adopt one of those ducklings for only $5! A family of 5 is only $20, or an entire FLOCK of 30 is only $100!
MANATEE COUNTY—Another candidate has entered the Florida House District 72 race. The seat was formerly represented by Republican Tommy Gregory, who, in April, was named President of the Manatee-Sarasota State College of Florida. Bradenton resident and attorney Richard Green is the latest to announce his candidacy to succeed Gregory.
Green, a Republican, is a senior attorney with Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A., a law firm with offices in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and West Palm Beach. Green’s legal focus includes residential and commercial real estate with litigation experience in environmental matters such as environmental permitting, environmental contamination, and construction litigation. Having represented public and private entities, Green has represented clients in acquisitions, sales, and probate.
Time could be running out for Florida and Manatee County officials to conserve some of the last unspoiled wetlands in Tampa Bay.
Rattlesnake Key’s 671 acres of mangrove swamps and flatwoods are a haven for fish, manatees, birds, anglers and boaters on Tampa and Terra Ceia bays, just south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
Now it’s all for sale as part of a $75 million, 1,000-acre real estate package.
The state and county previously planned to buy the land, setting aside $26 million for the purchase. But the effort stalled when a state appraisal valued the island at $7.6 million, according to Honey Rand, a public relations representative for the property owners.
Despite the setback, state Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton, believes a deal can be reached.
“Overall, I’m hopeful that we can figure out a way to permanently preserve this pristine piece of property,” Robinson said in an interview with the Bradenton Herald. “A lot of my constituents have reached out to me in support of this. Boaters, fishermen and those who enjoy our coastline.”
Rand says the owners are still willing to sell Rattlesnake Key to the state and county for $25 million.
But with $23 million in earmarked state funding set to expire on June 30, the longtime plan to turn Rattlesnake Key into a state park and environmental preserve could be in jeopardy.
A sales brochure pitches the lands as an ideal location for a public park — but also for private endeavors like a commercial marina, cruise ship terminal, resort hotel or an island estate home.
A resort on Rattlesnake Key? Saving the Manatee County island may be an uphill battle
While disappointed, Boyd says he hopes the land buy will work out — and there’s a backup plan to try to make it happen.
This year’s state budget includes an $8 million appropriation for the Rattlesnake Key purchase, significantly lower than what Florida lawmakers previously approved.
But instead of the state negotiating a deal, this time Manatee County would be in the driver’s seat, according to Boyd.
“What we did this year, is we appropriated $8 million,” Boyd said. “That money would go to Manatee County, and then Manatee County would hopefully contribute a couple million dollars. Hopefully, the county and landowner could come to an agreement,” Boyd said.
“So it’s contingent on the budget being passed and the landowner and the county.”
Manatee County previously committed up to $3 million to help the state purchase Rattlesnake Key.
A county spokesperson said last week that the $3 million remains available in the county’s reserves, and the purchase remains a “high priority” of the Board of County Commissioners.
If Gov. Ron DeSantis signs off on the $8 million allocation for Rattlesnake Key in this year’s state budget, that could potentially boost Manatee County’s buying power to $11 million.
And additional millions remain available through the county’s Environmental Lands Program, which is funded by a tax passed by Manatee County voters in 2020.
Land value under scrutiny
Conservation properties are prioritized by a volunteer advisory board, the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee. Mason Gravely, the chairman of that committee, says the group has strongly advocated for the county and state’s past efforts to conserve Rattlesnake Key.
“Rattlesnake Key would be a gem to have,” Gravely said. “What seems to be the challenge is coming to an agreement on a price. We have to consider that we’re working with taxpayer dollars and be responsible with that money.”
With many other conservation properties to consider in Manatee County and a limited budget, ELMAC is taking a wait-and-see approach before it recommends acquiring the property with the referendum funds, Gravely said.
“If they’re demanding double or triple the appraised value, that will be an issue,” Gravely said.
The program’s buying power is also temporarily tight after the purchase of two new preserve areas this year — Crooked River Ranch in Parrish and the expansion of Emerson Point Preserve in Palmetto.
With those purchases, the county has already bonded $35 million of a $50 million limit.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
