Sarasota approves 2050 changes

After more than five hours of public testimony, Sarasota County commissioners approved Wednesday changes to the county's 2050 growth management plan.

The 2050 plan creates a set of policies overlaid on top of the county's future land-use map and establishes six resourch management areas (RMA), each with unique development criteria.

Commissioners on Wednesday approved comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance amendments for 2050 that should make it easier for developers to develop on properties within 2050 guidelines, but preserve the intent of the plan, commissioners said.

The concept of fiscal nuetrality — that growth pays for itself — proved the main item of contention. The commission voted to establish a methodology and continue requiring a fiscal nuetrality plan for rezoning hamlet, village and settelment area RMAs. The change removes the requirement on developers to prove fiscal nuetrality for each phase of development and instead dictates that a developer must prove fiscal nuetrality for the entire project upfront. 

For a complete story, see the Oct. 31 issue of the East County Observer.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].