Planning Commission recommends UTC changes

The Sarasota County Planning Commission on Thursday endorsed proposed changes to the overall site plan for the property that is home to The Mall at University Town Center.

Benderson Development had requested to add 600,000 square feet of additional retail space and 100,000 square feet of offic space, as well as the addition of a five-acre parcel. 

The changes bring the project site to a total acreage of 281 acres at the southwest corner of University Parkway and Interstate 75. The total gross leasable space increases from 1.9 million square feet to 2.58 million square feet.

Commissioners raised concerns about increasing traffic along University Parkway, in particular, as a consequence of the approval. Stipulations require Benderson to establish a private transportation management entity.

Benderson's Todd Mathes said the group aims to impact 16% of traffic in the University Parkway corridor by encouraging employees of the shopping center, in particular, to use trolley service, mass transit or carpooling.

Commissioners also were concerned about impacts to a wetland in the southwest corner of the property, but said they were comfortable with moving the project along because Benderson's wetland impact proposal must be approved by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

The project will go before Sarasota County commissioners for final approval in January.

For a complete story, see the Dec. 11 issue of the East County Observer.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].