Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Once No. 1, Sarasota drops again on U.S. News & World Report's best cities to retire list

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/on...st/ar-AA1jBuXx

Sarasota landed in the Top 20 places to retire in a U.S. News and World Report this week and was ranked as one the best cities in the country for retiree living, falling in ranking for a second year in a row.

Landing in the 18th-best city for retirees for 2024, Sarasota scored an overall score of 6.8 out of 10 according to the report which was released this week. The largest factor in its declining ranking could be the steady decline in housing affordability around the region. This year's report noted that Sarasota's median home price remains slightly higher than the national average at $387,630, which comes into play for many retirees on limited budgets and incomes.

Sarasota's home affordability was a factor in its 11th-best place to retire in the nation in its 2022-23 ranking last year too. The city's ranking was highest in 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when U.S. News and World Report ranked Sarasota the best city for retirees in the nation.

The Florida Retirement Dream Is Dying as Seniors Get Priced Out of the Sunshine State

Developers are rushing to build senior communities in the Carolinas and Texas, and some Golden Agers are looking for quiet lifestyles away from the beach.

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/sarasota-f...sunshine-state

In Sarasota, Florida, an elderly couple is suing the county over approval of a 4,120-acre development that would create 5,000 homes for young families and interfere with their quiet retirement lifestyle.

Once consistently ranked as America's top place to retire, Sarasota has fallen in the past two years to the 18th spot in the U.S. News & World Report ranking. The culprit? Rising housing costs.

Florida real estate agents say that Sarasota is not alone. Areas of the state once considered havens for retirees are seeing increased development and a wave of younger residents replacing the older crowd, not to mention a surge in ultra-luxury real estate catering to a new billionaire class moving to the state.

“It’s not the retirement community it used to be — at all,” said Lisa Morris, a Douglas Elliman agent whose listings include the area’s new luxury condos Rosewood Residences and The Owen .

As costs surge, older Americans are having an epiphany: Florida may no longer be the ideal retirement destination. Permanent Florida snowbirds are becoming no-go birds.

'God's Waiting Room' No More

Instead, they’re seeking regions of the country where the weather and economic conditions are just as agreeable — only without the price tag. And local real estate developers are welcoming these Golden Agers with open arms.

[wondermint2]

Escape to Sarasota: Exploring 6 Resorts That Redefine Relaxation

For full article:

https://original.newsbreak.com/@loca...ine-relaxation

In this article, we will be exploring six exquisite resorts in Sarasota. Have you had the pleasure of visiting any of these yet? If you have, we would love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Please feel free to leave your comments below:

The ranking of the entities listed below is derived from ratings and review data on Yelp and Google Maps, synthesized through advanced big data algorithms.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Manatee County cuts roundabout after Lakewood Ranch developer and residents speak out

For full article:

https://news.yahoo.com/manatee-count...205142921.html

Manatee County reversed course on plans to build a roundabout after several neighbors — and a local developer — spoke out against the decision.

A sea of residents in red shirts voiced opposition to the roundabout during Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting. Lakewood Ranch developer Rex Jensen also penned an opinion article in the East County Observer criticizing the idea.

“A signal is more favorable at this location due to unique community/intersection dynamics,” wrote Jensen, president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, the development company behind the master-planned Lakewood Ranch community.

The roundabout at the intersection of Lorraine Road and Players Drive would sit between two gated communities — Lakewood Ranch Country Club and Country Club East. Opponents argued that the proposed intersection improvement would create more traffic congestion, not less.

More details here:

Debate ends with a traffic light at Lorraine Road, Players Drive

Commissioners voted 7-0 on Nov. 14 to move away from a roundabout and to build a traffic light instead.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...players-drive/

Residents were so concerned over this particular issue that 223 showed up to the public information meeting on Sept. 27, which the staff report called a “record attendance.”

Public Works Director Chad Butzow said no other issue within the Capital Improvement Plan has garnered that kid of interest at a public meeting.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Hotel proposals seek reversal of Siesta Key legal victories after two-year court battle

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/comp...e8cf2595&ei=35

The battle over a more than three-decade-old growth policy could soon erupt again on Siesta Key as hotel developers seek to reverse two years of courtroom legal victories by Siesta Key advocates.

Benderson Development, one of the largest development companies in the region, presented plans to develop a hotel on Siesta Key with a proposal that could see 210 rooms built in Siesta Key Village on 1.4 acres of property. The parcels proposed for development would be along Ocean Boulevard and Calle Menorca across the road from the Siesta Key Oyster Bar.

Protections adopted by Sarasota County officials in 1989 stand in the way after a Siesta Key resident sued Sarasota County for violating its growth policies when approving two hotels in 2021.

This week, Sarasota County commissioners dropped an appeal of one legal victory and decided not to appeal a recent circuit court decision that found the previous hotel approvals violated the county's growth plan.

The growth policy at issue effectively freezes development on the popular barrier island to what was allowed in 1989, according to court rulings.

Benderson's proposal is just one of three that seek a workaround.

A second proposal would see the construction of a 110-unit hotel on about 2.15 acres of property on Midnight Pass Road. Dave Balot, the property owner, has proposed doubling the allowable hotel density from 26 units per acre to 52 units per acre.

A third request involves a second Siesta Key Village hotel. This project, a 170-room hotel on Calle Miramar and Ocean Boulevard, received approval in late 2021, but the approval was challenged by Siesta Key resident Lourdes Ramirez.

Another hotel proposed by Gary Kompothecras, also known as "Dr. Gary," near the south bridge on Siesta Key has not submitted a proposal yet.

County staff have received the three proposals, but a date for when they will be discussed at a County Commission meeting has not been set.

Sarasota County Commission set to revisit controversial Siesta Key hotel proposals

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/siesta-key...otel-proposals

The Sarasota County Commission is expected to discuss three developers' proposals that could pave the way for major Siesta Key hotels at its next board meeting on Nov. 28.

The proposals come just one month after the County Commission directed the county staff to drop a legal appeal and rescind a controversial change to the county's development code that removed a cap on hotel density throughout the county with the approval of a 170-room hotel in Siesta Key Village in 2021.

[wondermint2]

What’s open and closed around Bradenton on Thanksgiving & Black Friday? Here’s a list

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/bradenton-...-here-s-a-list

The holiday season is officially here, which means Thanksgiving is Thursday.

Wondering where you can grab last-minute groceries or do your Black Friday shopping around Bradenton and Manatee County?

We’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of what’s open and closed when and other important info for the holiday.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota County Schools, union agree on contract settlement

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/32363...act-settlement

Sarasota County School District officials and the Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association have agreed on a proposed contract settlement for the 2023-24 school year that gives raises to teachers and other employees, if approved by the School Board.

According to information provided by district officials, the package includes:

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Have your say on the Bobby Jones nature park

City of Sarasota residents can share their thoughts Nov. 15 about amenities to include in the newly created wetlands and nature park next to Bobby Jones Golf Club.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...s-nature-park/

With the grand reopening of Bobby Jones Golf Club set for Friday, Dec. 15, the city has begun public outreach efforts to share preliminary concepts for park amenities at the Nature Park at Bobby Jones.

Built in conjunction with the restoration of the Donald Ross golf course layout, the nature park will be a rustic area with newly created wetlands, crushed shell trails and cart paths repurposed into walking and biking trails. The City of Sarasota is seeking input regarding additional park amenities to complement the natural surroundings.

The city’s Parks and Recreation staff will present initial conceptual options during a community meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, at Robert L. Taylor Community Complex, 1845 John Rivers Street. The presentation can be previewed at LetsPlaySarasota.com.

For those who cannot attend the community meeting, comments may be emailed to ParksandRec@SarasotaFL.gov by Nov. 30.

The Nature Park comprises 90 acres of urban green space.

The public gets involved in plans for Sarasota's Bobby Jones Nature Park

The park is set to open Dec. 15 alongside revamped golf course, but ultimate design is still under consideration.

For full article:

https://www.wusf.org/environment/202...es-nature-park

A conference room at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex was buzzing with conversation recently as 40 community members gathered to hear and chat about plans for the nature park alongside the city of Sarasota’s Bobby Jones Golf Course.

The city already envisions such amenities as benches, picnic tables, a bird blind, a boardwalk and several marsh overlooks, but officials hosted the forum to hear what else residents wanted to see.

“I think we’ve put out there some suggestions, like these improvements, but I think the meeting is essentially for that, to receive input on what people would like to see out there,” said John DePazos, capital project coordinator for Sarasota’s Parks and Recreation.

The site has proposed the park house several pavilions along the trails.

The park will open Dec. 15, along with the revamped Bobby Jones golf course, in its most basic form, with trails and signs. As designs and ideas come together for further improvements, those will come along by late 2024.

Candie Pedersen, general manager for parks and recreation, says landscaping will be big part of what comes next.

“For us, the thing that makes it a nature park is we’re going to start planting trees and shrubs and ground cover next year,” said Pedersen. “We’ve got about $140,000 from the tree mitigation fund to start that.”

[wondermint2]

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation awards $5 million in grants to support nonprofits

For full list:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/32364...ort-nonprofits

The Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation’s Board of Directors recently approved more than $5 million in grants.

The funding includes 11 grants to regional nonprofits working in education, mental health, humanitarian causes, and arts and culture. The Barancik Foundation Board also directed significant funding to the Foundation’s First 1,000 Days Suncoast initiative ($700,000) and Affordable Housing initiative ($1.5 million).

[wondermint2]

Hundreds march across Ringling Bridge in support of Israel

The local parents of an Israeli-American hostage lead Sunday's March Against Hate.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...upport-israel/

Several hundred Sarasota residents of all races, religions and creeds gathered at Hart’s Landing on Sunday for a March Against Hate, not only in support of Israel but also in support of the local father and stepmother of a 35-year-old man taken hostage during the Oct. 7 Hamas raid.

Leading the march over the Ringling Bridge were Jonathan Dekel-Chen and Gillian Kaye, the father and stepmother of Sagui Dekel-Chen. The family holds dual citizenships in the U.S. and Israel, and own a home in a kibbutz a mile from the Palestinian border.

[wondermint2]

Nikki Fried wouldn't like this

Sarasota moves to make marijuana possession criminal again after few pay civil fines

For full article:

https://news.yahoo.com/sarasota-move...180626856.html

The Sarasota City Commission took the first steps toward repealing its marijuana civil citation program on Monday after a presentation by police that recommended the move because of nearly 90% noncompliance with the program's fines.

Since 2020, when the City Commission passed the ordinance that decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana, Sarasota police have issued 427 civil citations for possession with only 47 people paying the fine and one person opting for community service.

The recommendation to recriminalize possession of marijuana came after a May report about the program from the Independent Police Advisory Panel.