Siesta Key retailers push for regulation changes

Martha Smith, owner of Le Grand Bisou, in the Siesta Key Village, sees positive change on the horizon for Siesta Key business owners who hope to legally display merchandise in front of their stores without a temporary-use permit.

Smith and a handful of other village merchants say a portion of the Siesta Key Overlay District, or zoning code, that prohibits any type of outdoors merchandise display is hindering their businesses.

As part of a Siesta Key Village Association subcommittee, Smith and Rick Lizotte, of Comfort Shoes, recently presented a revised draft of that section of the overlay district to County Commissioner Nora Patterson and Sarasota County Zoning Administrator Brad Bailey.

Patterson says she’s willing to work with the merchants, and though she recognizes their struggle for visibility, she says the current version of the group’s proposal is too liberal and could have unintended consequences.

After discussing the proposal with fellow commissioners, Patterson says regulations on outdoor signage would likely need to be taken into consideration, as well. She suggests the subcommittee discuss the proposal with all of the organizations on the Key to ensure the proposal represents more than just a handful of voices and present it again as a formal request.

Although this only represents the first step in the potential revision process, Smith says she is optimistic about the meeting.

Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kevin Cooper worked with Smith and SKVA board member Russell Matthes to write the draft. He says that in the coming weeks, he hopes to meet with the leaders of the other organizations to find common ground on the issue.

“It’s important that any changes are easily enforced and that they’re still relevant 10 years from now,” Cooper says.

Key proposal
Siesta Key retailers proposed changes to the Siesta Key Overlay District regarding the outdoor display of merchandise.
• Outdoor display areas shall not exceed 6 feet above finished grade without special permit.
• Outdoor display area shall only be in front of a single storefront, extending no more than 6 feet out or 12 feet wide.
• No tents or canopies may be placed over display areas.
• Outdoor merchandise display shall be confined to business hours.
• Outdoor display of recreational vehicles for rent, such as bicycles, kayaks, scooters, paddleboards and three-wheeled scooter cars allowed in an area 24 feet by 12 feet, and 12 feet tall.