Sarasota county to amend 2050 plan

Sarasota County Commissioners voted 4 to 1 yesterday to reopen Sarasota 2050, the beginning of a process to revise its regulations.

In the next 45 to 60 days, the county planning staff will bring to the commission specific changes to consider.

Then, the county will schedule a series of public meetings and hearings.

Based on meetings with property owners and representatives of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch and Neal Communities, county staff is recommending modifications to 2050, including ones related to fiscal-neutrality conditions, housing-type requirements, density limitations and others.

When Sarasota County officials approved their 2050 Plan in 2002, they looked to create urban-style, walkable villages in undeveloped areas of the county, particularly lands east of Interstate 75.

But, more than 10 years later, only one project has been developed — Neal Communities’ Grand Palm development, in Venice.

Developers have raised concerns with the plan, saying the restrictions are too specific and need updates and modifications.