News Briefs

+ Benderson proposes land purchase
The Sarasota City Commission agreed at its regular meeting Monday to proceed in negotiations with Benderson Property Development Inc., which wants to purchase 11.1 acres of city-owned land at the northeast corner of Fruitville Road and Beneva Road.

Benderson wants to build a commercial project on the site.

“We are not sure what we are going to build if the sale comes to pass,” said Benderson Development Executive Director Larry Feinberg. “We do know it’s going to be a retail center we typically would build, and it would be a great asset to the community. We are looking to create a great project on an under-utilized site.”
The commission said it wanted to have the property appraised while staff worked on several issues that had to be resolved with the site before it could be made available for such a project.

Those issues include rezoning the property for a commercial use, which requires a city of Sarasota Comprehensive Plan amendment; relocating two large retaining ponds and a multi-use park trail; and working to accommodate a fire station/training facility and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office helicopter pad, which sits on the property. A city-owned storage facility also must be removed.

+ Neighborhood group files Goodwill appeal
City Attorney Bob Fournier said Wednesday that he will allow a neighborhood group’s appeal regarding the city’s approval last year of a Goodwill Super Store on the North Trail to move forward.

Citizens for a Responsible North Trail Development filed the petition, arguing that the project site was not zoned properly for the project and that the planned intersection improvements were insufficient.

Meetings & agendas
• North Trail Redevelopment Partnership Meeting — Noon Thursday, March 8, Center for Arts & Humanity, 1226 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
• District One Community Forum — 6 p.m. Thursday, March 8, Harvest Tabernacle, 209 N. Lime Ave., Sarasota.
• St. Armands Business Improvement District Board of Directors Meeting — 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 13, City Hall, Room 109, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• Rosemary District Association Meeting — 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, Fire Station, 1445 Fourth St., Sarasota.
• Coastal Islands Group Meeting — 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, 246 Garfield Drive, Sarasota.
• Planning Board Regular Meeting — 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, City Hall, Commission Chambers, 1565 First St., Sarasota.