- March 18, 2026
-
-
Loading
Loading
On the heels of an 11-plus-hour meeting on March 2, the Sarasota City Commission is scheduled to convene again on Monday, March 23 at City Hall with numerous high-profile issues to discuss including parking fees, speed limits and tax reform.
Also: commissioners will be asked to authorize retaining sound level consultant Siebein Acoustic of Gainesville to review proposed noise regulations.
Siebein would be asked to conduct a technical evaluation that may include field measurements and analysis of sound conditions in representative locations throughout the city; review of the structure, terminology, and measurement standards contained in the current code; evaluate how the regulations function in real-world enforcement scenarios; and offer comparisons with current professional standards and practices used in other jurisdictions.
As the city continues to refine a noise ordinance, the consultant would provide technical recommendations to support clear, measurable and evidence-based regulatory standards rather than relying on anecdotal information alone.
An ordinance is proposed to amend the city code for speed limits on certain city streets. At the Oct. 6, 2025 commission meeting, the Transportation Planning Division presented a traffic calming plan update, which included a proposal to lower speed limits to 20 miles per hour on local roadways and setting a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour on non-local roadways, excluding interstate connectors and U.S. 301 from 17th Street to the north city limit.
A speed study was finalized based on the requirements of the Florida Department of Transportation's Speed Zoning for Highways, Roads and Streets policy. Results show that the existing 85th percentile speeds on several local roadways are below 20 miles per hour although the posted speed limit on the majority of those local roads is 25. Based on these findings, staff recommends the posted speed limit be set at 20 miles per hour for roadway segments within that 85th percentile at or below that speed.
The Plymouth Harbor retirement community at 700 John Ringling Boulevard faces one final step in its plan to expand on its campus on Coon Key, City Commission will consider Plymouth Harbor's rezoning request from Medical Charitable Institutional to Residential Multiple Family.
The new facility would expand by 151 the number of independent senior living dwelling units. The plan would also add three levels of structured parking and include several amenities within the building, all constructed on a 5.25-acre portion of its property atop mostly current surface parking.
Staff reports the proposed development is compliant with all development standards of the Zoning Code, including height, parking and loading and setback requirements.
During its Feb. 11, 2026 regular meeting, the Planning Board voted 4-1 to recommend rezoning approval.
Staff will present for discussion current and projected future revenues and expenditures for the city’s downtown and St. Armands parking program.
Because of the 2024 hurricanes and aging of the parking infrastructure, Parking General Manager Broxton Harvey has determined a need to review the current rate structure and hours of operation. At the forefront of the discussion is the division's ability to continue to cover ongoing expenses and fund capital projects.
The presentation will review options focused on future rate changes, hours of operation, fees regarding transient parking, monthly rates and citation fees. The goal is to eliminate the continued need for the Parking Division subsidies from the city's general fund.
As debate continues among the Florida legislature regarding property tax reform or elimination, seven joint resolutions have been filed by the House of Representatives during the current legislative session.
Staff will provide a presentation to initiate a discussion about how property taxes impact the city’s budget and to achieve some understanding of the property tax joint resolutions that are currently being considered for statewide referendum this fall.
