September 27, 2023 —

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved, 4-1, the Revised Promenade Plan (including parallel parking spaces) at the rescheduled hearing on September 27, 2023. Mark Smith was the lone no vote.

Even though the County Planning Commission recommended eliminating proposed parallel parking spaces on Glencoe and Crestwood Avenues abutting the Promenade, the spaces were included in Benderson’s plan presented at the BOCC meeting.

Opposing parties requested eliminating the proposed parking spaces. Also, an attorney representing Siesta Key resident Jim Wallace, asked that recent judges’ rulings in Lourdes Ramirez’s hotel litigations be considered before allowing Siesta Promenade construction to proceed. Both the Siesta Key Association and Condo Council testified to this issue.

Siesta Sand, October 2023, John Morton: “Wallace calls for halt to Siesta Promenade”

Sarasota Herald-Tribune, September 29, 2023, Earle Kimel: “Over neighbors’ objections, Sarasota County approves parallel parking for Siesta Promenade“

Sarasota News Leader, September 29, 2023, Rachel Brown Hackney: “Siesta Promenade redesign, with parallel parking spaces, wins County Commission approval on 4-1 vote“

Sarasota News Leader, September 22, 2023, Rachel Brown Hackney: “Attorney for south Siesta resident urges county commissioners to consider administrative law judge’s ruling in Siesta hotel case before letting Siesta Promenade construction proceed”

Sarasota News Leader, August 31, 2023, Rachel Brown Hackney: “Parallel parking spaces removed from revised plans for Siesta Promenade“

July 28, 2023 —

The Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the revised Promenade plan at their August 30 regular meeting.

Those wishing to express concerns may do so in person and via email to planner@scgov.net and commissioners@scgov.net.

Click here to view the hearing agenda and document packet. You can also view the meeting live through this link.

Read full report of the Planning Commission Hearing.

Sarasota News Leader, July 28, 2023, Rachel Brown Hackney: “Planning Commission votes 5-1 to recommend County Commission eliminate parallel parking spaces in Pine Shores Estates as part of redesign of Siesta Promenade“

July 26, 2023 —

At their July 20 hearing, after considering public testimony opposing addition of parallel parking on Glencoe and Crestwood Avenues in Pine shores Estates, the Sarasota County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the revised Promenade plan without the parking. The main purpose of the revised plan is to incorporate two newly acquired parcels into the project. According to the Benderson presentation, the parking is not necessary but was included for traffic calming to make the project better. Objections to the parking included that it was a traffic hazard, would attract more traffic into the neighborhood, and eliminated the required buffer between the neighborhood and commercial property.

No date is set for the Board of County Commissioners to consider revised plan.

Read more about the Revised Promenade Plan

Sarasota News Leader, July 13, 2023, Rachel Brown Hackney: “Leader of neighborhood group rallying supporters to fight proposed changes to Siesta Promenade plans“

June 30, 2023 —

The Sarasota County Planning Commission will hold a hearing on the revised Promenade plan on Thursday, July 20, beginning at 5pm in the Commission Chambers of the County Administration Center at 1660 Ringling Blvd. The hearing will consider:

Small Area Comprehensive Plan Amendment No. SA-2022-02 from Medium Density Residential (≥5 to >9 units/acre) to Commercial Center.

Critical Area Plan Amendment No. 16-01-SP-2022to add two properties into the CAP boundaries.

Rezone Petition No. 22-09from RMF-1 (Residential Multi-Family, 6 units/acre) and CG (Commercial General) with stipulations to Commercial General with amended stipulations zone district or to such other zoning district as the Sarasota County Commission shall deem appropriate.

The revised plan shows added parking on Glencoe Avenue. See below for additional details.  Written comments will be considered and may be sent to the Planning and Development Services Department prior to the public hearings at the above address or by e-mail to planner@scgov.net. 

Read County Notice of Public Hearing.

The agenda usually is released a week before the meeting.

Read comprehensive report on the hearing in Sarasota News Leader, June 30, 2023 Rachel Brown Hackney: “July 20 the date for county Planning Commission hearing on revised Siesta Promenade plans“

April 27, 2023 —

May 1, 6pm virtual Neighborhood Workshop for new Promenade plan –

Zoom access: kimley-horn.zoom.us/s/91491206954
Web ID: 91491206954

See full workshop announcement.

Benderson Development has submitted an amended Binding Development Concept plan to Sarasota County Planning staff for its Promenade project at US 41 and Stickney Point Road. This plan incorporates two parcels acquired subsequent to the 2018 project approval. This will necessitate a new Planning and County Commission review process.

Some significant changes in the new plan include moving the landscape buffer and sidewalk closer to the Promenade buildings and adding parallel parking to Crestwood and Glencoe Avenue. According to Sura Kochman, “The issue at hand is how they are not following the intent of the original approval, by keeping the neighborhood protections, and instead putting parallel parking on our neighborhood streets.”

The six condo/apartment buildings are aligned on Glencoe Avenue, next to Pine Shores Estates, with two of the buildings allowing 5000 sq. ft. of commercial use. Density approved in 2018 has not been increased. If the new plan is denied, it reverts back to what was approved in 2018.

Read comprehensive report on the new plan in Sarasota News Leader, April 20, 2023 Rachel Brown Hackney, “Yet another new version of Siesta Promenade layout submitted to county Planning staff, with buildings no taller than 40 feet next to Pine Shores Estates“