SEERD August/September Update

Here is our update, again in outline form. If you wish to read the entire text, please see the hyperlink button below. We welcome back our part year residents to Sarasota and look forward to reconnecting with those planning to return in the next few months. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to write to us as we continue our efforts to protect and improve our neighborhood and the surrounding county.

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  • Traffic, Visual Blight, and Noise from The Classical Academy (TCA)

    • Ongoing complaints: Bee Ridge Rd, Palmer, Lorraine, Clark.

    • Sources of volume: TCA trips; Skye Ranch school; east-of-I-75 growth; return of some seasonal residents.

    • Forecast: impacts likely to worsen without mitigation.

    • Gap: school’s promised improvements for county approval not fully implemented.

    • Actions: resident documentation; engagement with TCA; coordination with county reps/staff to take responsibility.

    • Position: advocate “responsible” growth consistent with the Comprehensive Plan-which itself could use a review as suggested by Commissioner Knight months ago.

  • Progress on Sarasota County Stormwater Management

    • Context: last year’s storms exposed maintenance, systems, staffing, leadership gaps.

    • Organizational changes: new Stormwater Management Department; qualified local director.

    • Audit findings (consultant Steve Suau): Stormwater Utility tax assessment yields tens of millions of dollars but use of funds largely ineffective because of deficient project identification/vetting/analysis aimed at mitigating impacts of stormwater.

      • Many ideas: few cost–benefit/public-impact assessments; limited alternatives analysis.

      • Best practices/laws since the 1970s not consistently applied.

    • Call to action: insist on rigorous use of Stormwater Utility assessment funds.

  • County Budgeting and Fiscal Outlook

    • Revenue vs. needs: rapid growth driving ops/capex beyond revenue growth; current slight deficit.

    • Reserves: projected decline below acceptable cushion over ~5 years.

    • State risk: potential Tallahassee property-tax restructuring could reduce future revenues.

    • Need: bold, informed leadership from commissioners, advisory boards, and staff.

  • Lorraine Road Infrastructure Work

    • Issue: repeated dig–fill–dig cycles over multiple years; water/sewer spills; service interruptions.

    • Community impacts: standing water, dust/mud, disrupted ped/bike access, heavy equipment.

    • Concern: poor planning/execution; unclear accountability for costs.

    • Principle: treat neighborhoods as core to sustainable settlement patterns.

  • DR Horton Application to Build a Housing Development Near the Celery Fields (Rehearing/Appeal)

    • Status: Sept 11 Special Magistrate hearing to begin appeal of County denial.

    • Process: negotiation between county and developer.

    • Public role: reiterate prior citizen input; argue inconsistency with plans/policies and public interest.

    • Broader theme: balancing private property rights with community interest.

  • State Preemption Impacts (Senate Bill 180)

    • Intent vs. effect: intended storm-rebuild relief; also loosens ability for stricter local standards.

    • Need for higher standards: recent storms exceed “100-year event” assumptions.

    • Example: Manatee County explored upgrades; threatened under new state preemption.

    • Consequences: undermines flood-insurance premium reductions and public health/safety goals.

  • Proposed Commercial Center at SR 70 & Proctor Roads

    • Proposal: rezone for small center (shops, gas, misc. commercial) serving Clark Rd growth (3H Ranch, Hi Hat Ranch).

    • Capacity: future Clark Rd widening may handle traffic; local neighborhood impacts need mitigation.

    • Status: derailed by 9/11 Commission vote; likely to return for reconsideration.

  • Discussion: “Getting rid of HOAs?”

    • Rumor/policy talk in Tallahassee about eliminating HOAs (analogy to eliminating property taxes).

    • Concern: local governments already strained; HOAs key to community self-governance.

    • Recommendation: monitor, debate within HOAs, engage lawmakers; ensure data-driven deliberation.

    • Engagement Opportunity

      • Sarasota County Legislative Delegation Meeting

        • Date/Time: Thursday, November 13, 2025, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

        • Location: Robert Anderson Administrative Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice.

        • Presentation requests due: October 31, 2025

        • Contact: Andrew.Parker@flhouse.gov

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  Suggested Next Steps

  • Community to compile traffic/stormwater evidence logs and submit to our legal team and the County.

  • Request timeline/accountability report from utilities on Lorraine Rd works.

  • Prepare talking points for DR Horton rehearing in early November, coordinate citizen testimony.

  • Draft letters to our legislative delegation members regarding SB 180 impacts and HOA concerns.

  • Organize attendance and speakers for the Nov 13 State Legislature Delegation Meeting.

Click here to read our in-depth report of the information outlined above:

Final SEERD Update for AugustSeptember for Linkage.pdf

Download PDF • 55KB

If you would like to donate to continue the fight for responsible development in and around the Bee Ridge neighborhood, click below.

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