City seeks presence on bayfront planning group

Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 is preparing for the next phase of its advocacy for the development of 42 acres of city-owned land near the Van Wezel — which involves creating a new organization to begin the planning process in earnest.

Bayfront 20:20 leaders are still working on the framework for this new, independent organization. Although it’s unknown what the planning group will ultimately look like, city officials have made clear they expect a city presence on the board of directors.

On Monday, the City Commission voted 5-0 to affirm the board expected both a staff member and a member of the Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Board to eventually join the planning organization. City Commissioner Susan Chapman, who placed the discussion item on the agenda, said it’s crucial for the city to take a leading role in the planning process.

“One thing I would hate to happen is that they come up with a plan and they come back to us for just a yes or no answer, and we have to say, ‘This doesn’t meet our city requirements,’” Chapman said.

Although the board’s decision was unanimous, Vice Mayor Suzanne Atwell and Commissioner Liz Alpert were hesitant to dictate the terms of Bayfront 20:20’s work. The commission has endorsed the grassroots planning process to date, and Alpert expressed a desire to accommodate the group where possible.

“I don’t disagree that there should be city involvement,” Alpert said. “I think to have this discussion today without any of the members of the group is premature.”

Visit Sarasota County President Virginia Haley, a leader of the Bayfront 20:20 effort, said the group initially thought the city would be interested in working as more of a liaison based on previous board action, which restricted staff from taking an active role in the independent process.

“As we’re working on the planning organization, it’s good to have that direction now, as opposed to two months from now when we’re presenting to them,” Haley said.

Now, the city has made its interests plain as planning moves ahead.

“I think it needs to be clear what our expectations are,” Eddie said. “We don’t have to have 100 answers to questions, but one of those is — are we at the table?”