Bee Ridge Neighbors, this is what your donations have accomplished

Victory in the Courts!

Sarasota East Enders for Responsible Development (SEERD) proudly announces a significant victory in the courts!

On February 21, 2025, Judge Stephen Walker of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court in Sarasota County ruled in SEERD’s favor and quashed the Sarasota County Commission’s approval of The Classical Academy’s modification to its special exception to allow the 30 modular classrooms at The Classical Academy site at 8000 Bee Ridge Road.

The 29-page order found that the County Commission departed from the essential requirements of law and failed to support its decision with competent substantial evidence. First, the Court found that the addition of the modular classrooms was part of Phase II development on the property, which triggered compliance with the previously approved requirements for road improvements for Phase II. This did not occur. Additionally, the Commission failed to consider its impacts on the surrounding properties. Instead, some commissioners who approved the modular classroom modification wrongly relied on concerns over TCA’s students instead of addressing negative impacts to surrounding properties.  

A copy of the order is available here.

Click To View Judicial Order

Now that the Order quashed this approval, SEERD will be closely tracking whether Sarasota County enforces its code to require compliance with the court’s decision and will take action as necessary to protect its rights.

“It is great to see the court uphold the law and recognize the legal rights of the surrounding properties and community,” stated Jane Graham, SEERD’ s legal counsel. 

SEERD’s challenge of the original approval of the TCA campus at 8000 Bee Ridge Road is still pending in the Second District Court of Appeal. Stay tuned for further updates.

We appreciate your continued support and interest in protecting the safety, tranquility, and beauty of our neighborhood. None of this could have been accomplished without your support. Please consider donating so SEERD can follow through on its work to properly assess impacts of current and future development and find ways to ensure effective mitigation.

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Thanks for your continuing interest and support to protect our neighborhood.