City denies construction zoning amendment

The Sarasota City Commission voted against a proposed construction zoning code by a 3-2 vote Monday that would have allowed issues with city applications to be resolved in a manner most favorable to the property owner.

The city’s Planning Board did not recommend the zoning code amendment to the commission.

Vice Mayor Terry Turner and Commissioners Willie Shaw and Shannon Snyder voted against the code change. Mayor Suzanne Atwell and Commissioner Paul Caragiulo voted for the code change.

Also at its regular meeting, the commission:

Postponed:
• A decision to eliminate community development and economic development Community Redevelopment Agency grants until the Community Redevelopment Agency Board can discuss the concept.

Approved:
• A request by a homeowner at 1910 Datura Street to have the property’s historic designation status removed.
• A sign adjustment request by One Sarasota Tower to increase the size of its main sign on U.S. 41.

Discussed:
• The possibility of asking Sarasota County to consider eliminating its park impact fees against city residents.
• The possibility of changing out parallel parking with angled parking on Ringling Boulevard from U.S. 301 east to School Avenue to create more parking spaces.
• Rezoning the area surrounding Ed Smith Stadium from “industrial light warehousing” to “downtown edge.”

For more information on Monday’s meeting, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Nov. 10 Longboat Observer.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].