Nov Update: Siesta Promenade project
Latest dates for public hearings are:
- Planning Commission – 15 November 2018
- Board of County Commissioners – 12 December 2018
Benderson Development has issued a press release and launched a glossy website promoting the project. Links are below.
They are marketing the development heavily and even launched a survey to engage residents in the selection of an organic grocer for the retail section.
SKA encourages members to compare the statements made on the website against the text of the actual CAP submission. Visit our Siesta Promenade Project Page for more information from SKA.
SKA will be preparing a letter to the Planning Commission prior to the hearing on November 15, 2018. We will be basing our objections around traffic and issues with not properly defining the CAP boundary prior to the impact studies and public workshops.
Sura Kochman has also launched a grassroots website to try to counter some of the points in the Benderson marketing efforts and provide more information on the impact to the Pine Shores Neighborhood and surrounding area.
BlockBendersonSiestaProm.home.blog
You can also contact Sura to apply for membership in their moderated Facebook page. You may wish to review and sign their iPetition.
PLEASE NOTE: We know everyone is passionate about this project, and that many people plan to attend the Planning Commission and BCC Public Hearings to voice their objections. However, we encourage members to identify some specific aspect of the project to which they object and to collaborate with people having the same issues to appoint one spokesperson to convey that message at the hearings. It is quite likely that each person at these meetings will have very limited time to speak, and it is important to convey as many different arguments as possible during the hearing rather than having many people reiterate the same point.
We have also learned that simply stating “We don’t want it” does not carry much weight with the commissions. Remember that these are quasi-judicial hearings where the commissioners must decide if the project has met all necessary requirements. Arguments have to be based on some conflict with ordinances, failure to follow required process, or issues with public safety or general public welfare.
Sura Kochman is trying to coordinate the inputs from all of the area organizations who want to participate in the hearings to try to ensure that each group covers a different perspective. Please understand that if the commissions feel that they have heard the same issue raised too many times, they have the right to suspend comments on the basis that no new information is being presented.