In This Issue

Sarasota 2050 changes

County Administration Bldg

October 22

1:30 pm or after

1660 Ringling Blvd 

Sarasota, FL

Monday, November 10

6:30 PM Social

7:00 PM Meeting

Topic:  Local Neighborhood Reports

Come and listen to neighborhood associations leaders describe their neighborhood and the challenges they face

October 2014 

There are just a handful of developers requesting changes to the Sarasota 2050 plan versus the hundreds of Sarasota County taxpayers voicing opposition.  The developers claim they are paying for infrastructure needs for their new development which is not true.

One example on how changes to Sarasota 2050 will negatively impact our taxes is listed below.  It is proof that the proposed changes will force Sarasota County taxpayers to subsidize new development in our rural areas.

 

The next opportunity to submit your concerns regarding the proposed changes to the Sarasota 2050 plan is coming up!

There will be a public hearing on Wednesday, October 22 in the afternoon.  The public hearing will take place at Sarasota County's administration building

at 1660 Ringling Blvd in downtown Sarasota.

Your presence will let the County Commission know that you are NOT satisfied with what has been approved so far.  It's never too late to let our elected officials know how important it is to preserve our rural lands and to ensure our taxes do not subsidize development.

Lourdes Ramirez

President

In 2010, Lakewood Ranch development received approval to increase their Sarasota 2050 project from 57 units to over 5,000 housing units in exchange for open space, walkable communities and included paying for the new roads needed by the development.

The developers signed an agreement with Sarasota County called the Adequate Facilities and Transportation Agreement (AFTA) which clearly outlines who pays for the roads needed by the new development.

The 2010 AFTA agreement stated (see attached)

'Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, from Communications Parkway to Fruitville Road:  construct two lanes prior to first construction plan; (and) two additional lanes...'

Yet, if you read the October 8th Sarasota Herald Tribune article on the construction of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, the newspaper stated

'Jensen has also proposed four lanes for the road - instead of the two he's required to build - and for the county to pay the difference.'

This article refers to comments made by Rex Jensen of the Lakewood Ranch SMR development company.  (see attached link to article)

So when did it change from Lakewood Ranch development paying for all four lanes of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to where they are only required to pay for two lanes?  When did we get stuck with the bill for paying for 2 lanes?

This is one example of how existing Sarasota County taxpayers will be subsidizing new development in the rural lands. There were several 2050 developments approved to date and more expected. We have no idea how much subsidizing new development will cost the Sarasota County taxpayers in the near future.

So join us in sending your objections to the state.  Send your objections to:

[email protected] [email protected]