City delays decision on Woman’s Exchange expansion

On Monday, for the first time ever, the City Commission heard an appeal on staff’s decision to approve a plan for development — but the board’s ultimate decision is still forthcoming.

Laurel Park residents are contesting the city’s decision to issue a building permit to the Woman’s Exchange for an expansion at 526 Rawls Ave.

After a discussion that lasted more than four hours, the City Commission voted to suspend the remainder of Monday’s hearing to a future meeting, the date of which is still to be determined.

The neighborhood claims a proposed loading area is not compatible with the surrounding residential area, while the nonprofit consignment shop says the plans are consistent with the city code.

City staff, having issued a building permit for the project in November, sided with the Woman’s Exchange. Tim Litchet, the city’s director of neighborhood and development services, said the project’s approval came with a relatively thorough series of conditions the store had to meet, including capping the number of deliveries to and from the loading zone at 12 per day.

“I believe (the conditions) are reasonable and will help achieve the balance and compatibility that is needed,” Litchet said.

Public testimony at Monday’s meeting was divided. Members of Sarasota’s arts community and representatives from Burns Square and the Kanaya condominium building spoke in favor of the project, while Laurel Park residents were united against the proposal.

Kelly Franklin, a member of the Laurel Park Neighborhood Association board, said residents supported the work of the Woman’s Exchange. Their opposition is limited to this specific project, she said.

“Standing against them is like beating up the Easter Bunny,” Franklin said. “It’s been a long two years for us, but this is a really bad idea to do this in this location.”