Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Well, We Got Our Answer on Impact Fees

For full article:

https://thebradentontimes.com/storie...act-fees,62113

"I’ve been asking for months and months … and months, how long the county could possibly manage to continue making excuses as to why it is only collecting roughly 40 percent of what its current study says that impact fees should be. On Tuesday, we got an answer to that question.

To be fair, I’m not the only one who has been asking. At-large Republican Commissioner George Kruse has been ringing the same bell, and he gets to do it from the dais where staff and his fellow commissioners have no choice but to hear, even if they don’t listen. For Tuesday’s BOCC meeting, Kruse had added the topic to the agenda as a commissioner item."

Developers hate impact fees because, no matter what they and their bought-and-paid-for shills tell you, they eat into their bottom line, even though they are necessary to provide the additional infrastructure (roads, schools, public safety, libraries, parks, etc.) necessitated by growth. Developers like Pat Neal and Carlos Beruff have argued that it would be more equitable to make existing residents share in the cost of supporting all of the new development—as if the decline in our quality of life brought on by rampant, unsustainable development practices is not already an unbearable cost.

[wondermint2]

Opinion: Pickleball paddles make too much racket

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/sarasota-f...oo-much-racket

It first appeared as though Alex Newberry was just another obnoxious whiner. There aren't enough problems in Sarasota County so we have to complain about pickleball noise? That's what it’s come to?

It seems Newberry, who wrote a recent letter to the editor, lives four blocks from Pompano Trail in Sarasota. That's where there are 12 lighted pickleball courts that stay open until 10 p.m. and, according to Newberry, living in the neighborhood is like listening to an endless bag of microwave popcorn.

"When I open my windows in the morning, the first recognizable sound is not a bird. It's not the breeze. It's the plop and plink of pickleball. Fourteen hours a day," Newberry wrote. "There are people on Novus Court, living 50 yards away. Their home values must have plummeted."

As it turns out, Newberry has a valid point that others agree with.

Sue-Ellen Welfonder is a successful romance novelist who lives on Longboat Key. She used to enjoy daily walks that took her past the Bayfront Park Recreation Center. Last spring, five new pickleball courts were added, and with them came the sweet sounds of pop-pop-pop from the paddles of the pickleheads.

"Pickleball has replaced leaf blowers as my No. 1 nuisance," she told the New York Times.

The pop of a pickleball paddle can register at 70 decibels, which makes it twice as loud as tennis. On busy courts, that's 70 decibels every four seconds for eight hours. Based on frequency, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is quieter.

[wondermint2]

Abandoned boats are cluttering Longboat’s north end, residents say

Some town residents believe that old boats near the public dock, including one that has sat for two years, are becoming an eyesore.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...ats-north-end/

Who owns the boats currently being stored on Bayside Drive?

It’s a question that some residents are beginning to ask, and have brought to the attention of town commissioners and staff.

The small strip of beach next to the town’s public dock and pier has been long designated as public boat parking for small vessels like kayaks and inflatable watercraft.

But at the Nov. 6 Town Commission meeting, north end resident Rusty Chinnis brought the issue to the town meeting to spark conversation.

“It’s gotten so crowded with abandoned boats now,” he said.

A couple days prior to the meeting, he said he counted 13 boats docked on the beach, and, as far as he could find out, only three belonged to nearby residents. Most, he said, are owned by people who live aboard boats anchored offshore.

[wondermint2]

Manasota Key Road set to reopen next week

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2023/11/1...outputType=amp

County officials say that Manasota Key Road is expected to reopen next week.

Crews had hoped that work would wrap up after the repairs to the roadway this week, but the reopening has been pushed to next week.

Idalia’s powerful storm surge left the road in pieces. Sarasota County says that the crews are planning to pave the road Monday and install a new guard rail.

Officials say the road is expected to reopen by next Wednesday evening.

[wondermint2]

Charges recommended against former Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes

For full article:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2023/11/1...outputType=amp

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has recommended that charges be filed against former Manatee County Administrator Dr. Scott Hopes. Complaints against Hopes alleged criminal violations of Florida’s public records, theft and notary laws.

The investigation and relevant materials were forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office for review on Nov. 15.

Dr. Hopes resigned in February of 2023. The separation agreement negotiated with Hopes says the end of his employment as a voluntary resignation and separation are without cause and that Hopes departs “in good standing in all relevant respects.”

The sheriff’s office confirmed that the complaint was in reference to the county-issued cellphone and tablet of former county administrator, Scott Hopes.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Well, We Got Our Answer on Impact Fees

For full article:

https://thebradentontimes.com/storie...act-fees,62113

"I’ve been asking for months and months … and months, how long the county could possibly manage to continue making excuses as to why it is only collecting roughly 40 percent of what its current study says that impact fees should be. On Tuesday, we got an answer to that question.

To be fair, I’m not the only one who has been asking. At-large Republican Commissioner George Kruse has been ringing the same bell, and he gets to do it from the dais where staff and his fellow commissioners have no choice but to hear, even if they don’t listen. For Tuesday’s BOCC meeting, Kruse had added the topic to the agenda as a commissioner item."

Developers hate impact fees because, no matter what they and their bought-and-paid-for shills tell you, they eat into their bottom line, even though they are necessary to provide the additional infrastructure (roads, schools, public safety, libraries, parks, etc.) necessitated by growth. Developers like Pat Neal and Carlos Beruff have argued that it would be more equitable to make existing residents share in the cost of supporting all of the new development—as if the decline in our quality of life brought on by rampant, unsustainable development practices is not already an unbearable cost.

Manatee County proposes increased impact fees

For full article:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2023/11/1...outputType=amp

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners has unanimously approved a motion to begin charging 100% of applicable impact fees. Those fees represent the one-time charge collected when new construction is completed in unincorporated areas of Manatee County.

The motion to direct Development Services staff and the County Attorney to begin the process to increase the impact fee collection to 100% was made by District 4 Commissioner Mike Rahn.

“Coming from the building industry, I think we have to do something to help offset and take it from 90-100%,” Rahn said. Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge seconded the motion.

Manatee County collects impact fees to pay for multimodal transportation (including new roads), parks and natural resources, law enforcement and public safety equipment and libraries. Impact fees are restricted to funding growth-related capital improvements and may not be used for replacing infrastructure, maintenance or operations.

Demand for County infrastructure capacity is increased with construction, so impact fees ensure that new development pays its fair share of the capital cost incurred by the County to maintain adopted Levels of Service to accommodate population and job growth.

[wondermint2]

Ringling roundabout, Serena St. bridge among Sarasota transportation projects

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...tion-projects/

The Sarasota City Commission meeting on Monday included an update from staff regarding impending and longer-range planning of transportation projects. Among them:

[wondermint2]

Pulte buys 724 acres, plans to bring 1,300 homes to Lakewood Ranch

https://www.businessobserverfl.com/n...akewood-ranch/

PulteGroup has bought 724 acres in Lakewood Ranch and plans to build 1,300 homes on the property.

The builder announced Wednesday it had closed on the Manatee County land and that the homes — and a 15-acre amenities campus — will be part of its second 55 and over Del Webb-branded community.

Pulte did not disclose what it paid for the land. The development will be named Del Webb Catalina.

[wondermint2]

Pine View School in Sarasota County was very high on the lists:

These Are The Best Elementary, Middle Schools In FL, New Ranking Says.

Multiple elementary schools, middle schools in FL are among the best in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report.

For full list:

https://patch.com/florida/miami/thes...w-ranking-says

Multiple elementary schools and middle schools in Florida — including some Tampa Bay area schools — are included among the best in the country, according to new rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

The news outlet based its 2024 Best Elementary and Middle School rankings on publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education, focusing on student proficiency in core subject areas.

[wondermint2]

Attention Florida Residents: Changes in Hardiness Zones Impacting Local Planting Choices

For full article and map:

https://original.newsbreak.com/@flor...anting-choices

Changes in our environment are constant, and this includes changes to our planet. To understand these changes, we use tools like the USDA Hardiness Zones map. This map helps gardeners, landscapers, foresters, and urban planners choose the best plant species for specific geographic regions. The map groups plants by their climate resilience and historical geographic range.

As the global climate changes due to human activity, these hardiness zones are shifting. This affects the diversity and composition of species in natural and built environments. The latest update to the map in November 2023, which is evaluated every 10 years, shows major zone changes in peninsular Florida. For example, most of Manatee County has moved from zone 9a-9b to the 10a-10b range.

A specific example is the River Birch, Betula nigra, a commonly used landscape tree. As Manatee County is now in zone 10a, this tree is no longer recommended. The Mahogany, Swietenia mahagonii, a tropical tree from zones 10-11, may now be more suitable.