Will Vengroff’s affordable housing plans move ahead?

Today, the City Commission will consider a proposed comprehensive plan amendment that would allow Harvey Vengroff’s pursuit of a 393-unit apartment complex on Fruitville Road to proceed.

Vengroff, who manages around 1,500 rental units in the region, is attempting to change the city’s zoning designation of a nearly 8-acre site at 2211 Fruitville Road. A new classification would permit a density of 50 units per acre, which he says is essential to make his plans for affordable housing economically feasible.

A supermajority of four commissioners is necessary for the comprehensive plan amendment to gain approval. In April, Vengroff expressed some skepticism about the city’s interest in aiding his plans, but he believes the project would help address a long-standing workforce housing shortage in the city.

“They need affordable housing,” Vengroff said in an earlier interview with the Sarasota Observer. “Just let us do it.”

Both city staff and the Planning Board have offered their support for the proposed comprehensive plan amendment.

Even if the commission approves the amendment, there are more hurdles for Vengroff to clear before his project can become a reality. Perhaps most significantly, he plans to seek a reduction in the required number of parking spaces for the apartment complex.

Also on the agenda for today's City Commission meeting:

• Commissioners will discuss a proposed citywide parking management strategy, which includes plans for the return of paid parking in certain areas.
• The board will consider increasing multimodal transportation impact fees on new developments, part of an ongoing examination of the city's impact fees. 

The full agenda for the meeting can be found on the city's website.