Apartments sought for North Trail

A Development Review Committee meeting held today at City Hall revealed that a developer is looking to build 150 “market-rate” apartments on the North Trail.

Sarasota land-use consultant Joel Freedman told city staff that the former Asian museum property at 4644 N. Tamiami Trail is the site the developer is looking to build 150 affordable apartments that would service downtown.

“It’s a little removed from downtown, but there’s a tremendous need for market-rate apartments in the area for downtown professionals,” Freedman said.

The developer is seeking to make Comprehensive Plan changes first to allow for a height increase and 50% commercial space on the ground floor of the apartments.

Also at the meeting, city staff informed Wal-Mart Stores Inc. officials that are seeking to build a Wal-Mart Supercenter at the Ringling Shopping Plaza it’s encouraging design features to minimize the appearance of a large building.

“We encourage windows along the front and architectural treatments to the façade to help improve the appearance of the building,” said city senior planner Courtney Mendez.

Wal-Mart officials have also agreed to hold a community workshop at a future date because of the large amount of public input that’s anticipated for the project.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].