Important Meetings This Month for Concerned Sarasota Residents

In addition to the regularly scheduled Planning Commission and Board of County Commissioner (BCC) meetings, there are several other meetings in Sarasota this month that our Bee Ridge neighbors should be aware of and might consider attending. Two are being organized by likeminded groups concerned about various aspects of overdevelopment taking place on the same day and at almost the same time. Another meeting which takes place a week later, largely in response to resident concerns about traffic and the need for more road infrastructure is being sponsored by Sarasota County to discuss its road improvements and construction plans. Those of us concerned about deteriorating levels of service on Lorraine, Fruitville, Palmer, and Clark roads may want to attend. Here are the meetings to consider:

On Tuesday January 13th there are two meetings at almost the same time at two different branch libraries. One meeting is scheduled for January 21st at one of the County office building complexes.

1. The Sierra Club Florida Chapter and its new Sarasota Manatee Conservation Committee will be meeting at Selby Library's auditorium downtown starting at 5:30. The agenda will include a look at the "big picture" that has brought us to the development-driven environment we now have. And on a happier note, the meeting will share everything you ever wanted to know about oyster reefs off our coastline. To participate in these TWO thought-provoking presentations, Register here and put this on your calendar! 

   
   

2. The Council of Neighborhood Associations (CONA) will be meeting at the Gulf Gate Library starting at 6:00 also on Tuesday January 13th. This will be CONA’s first official public meeting since 2020, an important milestone for the organization and the beginning of a pivotal year for our neighborhoods.

   
   

   This is an especially critical time to come together. 2026 is an election year, and CONA will once again host candidate forums and review local and state ballot initiatives that directly impact our communities.

   
   

   In the County’s most recent citizen survey, the number one issue raised was population growth and new development. Residents are concerned—and rightly so—about how growth is affecting our neighborhoods, infrastructure, and quality of life. The goal of CONA has always been to help neighborhoods navigate the complex planning and development process and to ensure community voices are heard. Now more than ever, that mission matters.

   
   

   The agenda for the meeting includes the following: Ted Sperling Park Jet Ski concerns; Protect Siesta Key challenges; Coastal Setback Variance; Neighborhood Parkland Program; Talon Preserve concerns (Palmer Ranch); and the Florida Delegation meeting. Also, the upcoming Accessory Dwelling Units and Guest Houses agenda item on the January 27th BCC meeting will be discussed. Finally, CONAs plans for 2026 will be presented.

   
   

3. Sarasota County Transportation Department will be hosting a neighborhood workshop to review the future Thoroughfare Plan on January 21st at its office complex at 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd starting at 6:00 pm. This initiative supports the County’s long-range transportation planning efforts through advanced travel demand forecasting and scenario analysis. The following items are proposed to be discussed:

   • Traffic forecasting for 2030 and 2045, incorporating updated land use, development, and roadway data.

   • Identification of potential new thoroughfare roadways and re-evaluation of the existing thoroughfare network, necessary to accommodate projected growth.

   • Evaluation of Keyway Road from Englewood Road to West Villages Parkway, for either removal as a future thoroughfare or for reduction in lanes.

   The purpose of this workshop is to inform residents, stakeholders, and property owners about the upcoming evaluation of Sarasota County’s Future Thoroughfare transportation network and to seek feedback.

We hope that this information about upcoming meetings is helpful and that as many of our neighbors as possible can attend. If you have questions, please let us know, otherwise we hope to see you at one or more of these meetings to share information and have our voices heard.