County considers UTC expansion

EAST COUNTY — After a four-month delay, Benderson Development hopes plans for expanding its 276-acre University Town Center project soon will garner approval.

On Wednesday, the Sarasota County Commission will consider proposed changes to the UTC project, which is home to The Mall at University Town Center, including an additional 600,000 square feet of retail space and 100,000 square feet of gross leasable office space. It also includes reconfiguring the development concept plan and adding a parcel of approximately five acres to the project’s boundaries, which roughly straddle Cattlemen Road south of University Parkway to just south of DeSoto Road and east to Interstate 75.

Also on Wednesday, commissioners will consider whether to adopt a resolution related to transient accommodations, garden centers with outside merchandise, more than 60,000 square feet of retail in a single building, outdoor dining after 10 p.m. and increased building height. 

Commissioners continued public hearings on the requests in late January, although they agreed to transmit related documents to the state for consideration.

“Everyone came back positive,” said Todd Mathes, Benderson’s director of development. “We think that’s all a good indication the project should move forward. We’re hopeful for a positive result (at the Sarasota Commission meeting). We’re ready to go with a lot of the development that’s planned especially on the east side.”

The approvals Benderson seeks for UTC also include the creation of a transportation management group to offset traffic impacts. The group aims to reduce trips by Mall at UTC employees by at least 16% through incentives and other programs.