Sarasota County/Longboat Key Joint Commission Meeting
To: Sarasota County Commission
Thank you again for your hospitality and the truly productive discussion at yesterday’s joint meeting. We value our relationship with Sarasota County. There exists between us a level of respect and clear communication that has become all too rare in political discourse in recent years. We look forward to more of the same as we work to achieve our mutual goals.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Longboat Key
Sarasota County/Longboat Key Joint Commission Meeting
To: Sarasota County Commissioner
Thank you so much for a lovely lunch and meeting yesterday. I found it to be a very productive meeting and the suggestions and dialogue with all of you and your staff was very encouraging. I look forward to continuing dialogue on issues that impact both Longboat Key and the County. Hope to see all of you again soon.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Longboat Key
Sarasota County/Longboat Key Joint Commission Meeting
To: Carl Shoffstall
Thanks for attending and speaking yesterday. I think we’re making progress and your support and Chris’s has helped. Good luck with your campaign, and let’s stay in touch.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Longboat Key
Roadwatch Report US 41 Gulfstream Roundabout, Week of Sunday, May 1, 2022
To: Longboat Key Town Commission
RoadWatch Update for the Week of Sunday, May 1, 2022
SARASOTA
US 41 at Gulfstream Avenue Roundabout Project, Sarasota: Construction project: Crews will work within the right-of-way, medians, driveways and throughout the project limits. Please use caution and watch for construction vehicles, dump trucks, semi-trucks and heavy equipment entering or exiting the work zone.
Activities Include:
Paving will occur nightly starting the night of Sunday, May 1 and will continue through Thursday night, May 5. The operation will occur on the South US 41 westbound area where roadwork has been occurring. Southbound US 41 traffic will be impacted with various shifts during the night operation, motorists should be alert for flaggers and altered traffic alignment. Traffic during the day will be restored to normal operation. Vibration due to compaction is expected. Noise from equipment, material deliveries and trucking will occur. All other traffic movements aside from South US 41 will not be impacted.
Traffic will be switched to Phase 1B at the conclusion of the paving operation. South US 41 going westbound will be the only impacted movement. The switch involves shifting traffic on new asphalt, against new curb. The switch will occur at night. Noise from grinding of existing pavement markings, and the installation of new pavement marking is expected.
Final grading and sodding of areas behind new sidewalk and curb on US 41 between Gulfstream Avenue and Fruitville Road.
Sod installation along US 41 between Gulfstream Avenue and Fruitville.
Trucking of excess soil off the project, and relocation of stored material and equipment for work in the next phase.
Detours/Crossings:
Phase 1A configuration in place (island traffic only on US 41 south of Fruitville Road and north of Main Street). Watch for new traffic patterns, traffic signals, and pavement markings. Motorists are urged to use alternate detour route, if possible.
Sidewalk at the northwest corner of US 41 at Gulfstream Avenue is closed. Pedestrian paths are available via US 41 Multi-Use Recreational Trail (MURT) along Ritz Carlton Drive.
The east pedestrian crosswalk at Sunset Drive and Gulfstream Avenue is closed. The west pedestrian crosswalk is available to cross Gulfstream Avenue. Signage and pedestrian barricades are in place for guidance.
Marina Jacks north parking lot entrance/exit on Gulfstream Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic. Motorists may access the parking lot via Bayfront Drive at Main Street/Marina Plaza. No through traffic allowed through this area.
Motorist may not exit the Marina Jacks parking lot via Bayfront Drive at Main Street/Marina Plaza. The south exit at Ringling Boulevard must be used to exit Marina Jacks.
Eastbound through travel lane on Gulfstream Avenue (towards downtown) will remain closed. Use alternate routes via Ringling Boulevard or Fruitville Road.
Detours and lane closures will be in place during various phases of the project. During construction, the speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph on US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue.
Due to the tremendous amount of returning seasonal visitors, new residents and local traffic, motorists are facing increased traffic congestion and delays while traveling through the project and throughout the bay area. During this time, we encourage motorists to allow extra time to travel, follow the roadway signage and messaging and avoid making unauthorized U-turns or changing lanes across solid lines between the lanes when traveling through the construction work zone.
Construction activities will take place during the daytime and occasionally during nighttime hours. Expect noise from grinding asphalt, hammer drills, noise and vibration from construction equipment, backup alarms, vacuum trucks, pumps, and lighting.
Improvements being made as part of this project consist of replacing the existing signalized intersection on US 41 at Gulfstream Avenue with a roundabout, installation of HAWK pedestrian crossing signal system, raised pedestrian refuge islands, replacement of underground drainage structures, utilities, fiber optic, new LED streetlights, reconfiguration of stormwater retention ponds, sidewalks, and pedestrian walkways. Expected completion is fall 2022.
SWFLRoads.com | @MyFDOT_SWFL | facebook.com/MyFDOTSWFL
Alice Ramos
Community Outreach Manager
Florida Department of Transportation
LBK Chamber Ribbon Cutting
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
We have a ribbon cutting this coming Monday. May 2nd at Jewish Family and Children’s Services who are opening their office at The Paradise Center, 465 Bay Isles Rd. I am hoping you will be able to attend. Please let me know. Thanks.
Gail Loefgren
President/CEO
Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce
LBK Chamber Ribbon Cutting
To: Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce President Gail Loefgren
Hope you are feeling better. I have a window on Monday from about 10:30 a.m. until our Commission meeting starts at 1 p.m., and then after about 4:30 p.m. Does that work?
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Longboat Key
EDC -Introduction
To: Arlinda Karuli, Longboat Key Commissioner Penny Gold
I would like to introduce you to Commissioner Penny Gold from the Town of Longboat Key. She is interested in learning more about the vanpool program. I know that you are out of town until the beginning of May but, I hope you can connect once you return.
Commissioner Gold, I have attached some information about the program for your review.
Please feel free to take it from here.
Allison Evanitz
Business Development Representative
Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County
EDC -Introduction
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Penny Gold
It is great to meet you. I would love for us to schedule a Teams call for a proper introduction and to connect. Please let me know if you are available Tuesday May 3rd at 9:00 AM so that I can share an invite.
Thank you, looking forward to connecting with you!
Arlinda Karuli
Account Executive
Commute with Enterprise
EDC -Introduction
To: Arlinda, Karuli
Sorry, but we have a Town public meeting that I will be attending at that time. Do you have time to chat on Friday, May 6th?
Penny Gold
Commissioner
Longboat Key
Recent findings in Sarasota Bay
To: Longboat Key Commission, Sarasota City Commission
As you know, we have recently been quite excited about a potential turn-around in the health of Sarasota Bay. Our report card – shown below – shows evidence of the continued “good” health of Palma Sola Bay in 2021, along with a recovery of water quality in the Upper Bay from conditions that existed in 2017 and 2018. The report card also indicates a continued recovery of ecosystem health in the three lower bays. These results are for 2021, and they are definitely good news. However, this should not be construed as indicating we are completely out of the woods, so to speak.
Recently, fishing guides and long-term residents have contacted the SBEP about very substantial amounts of macroalgae on the bottom of the bay, from the shoreline adjacent to El Conquistador Parkway north of Bowlees Creek up to Longbar Point and areas offshore to the west. We do not yet know the extent of the problem, but it has been described as being highly unusual by people who have worked or recreated on the water for decades. This week and next, our trained volunteers will be visiting 17 transects in that part of the bay, and with 6 stations per transect, that represents more than 100 individual measurements of the amount of algae encountered. Our staff will be out there next week, to visit the area as well (we did Little Sarasota Bay and southern Roberts Bay ourselves on Monday).
We do not yet know the extent of the problem, but we will have a better idea by the end of next week. Even if we know how big of a problem we have, we don’t yet know what might have happened to create such a bloom. A few potential sources include the following: 1) lingering impacts of the 2,000 acre seagrass loss between 2018 and 2020, which not only released a pulse of nutrients into the water column, but represents lost assimilative capacity, 2) lingering impacts of the fish killed by 2021’s red tide, which was particularly bad in that part of the bay (similar to the SWFWMD’s proposed “hangover effect” in eastern Charlotte Harbor), 3) impacts associated with the massive cyanobacteria blooms we documented in Anna Maria Sound, which arose in the weeks to months after 2021’s Piney Point discharges, 4) potential nutrient leaks from wastewater collection and treatment and disposal practices, 5) response to substantial mangrove trimming along the bay, which can both increase local nutrient loads and also increase susceptibility of a water body to nutrient loads, and 6) other sources.
The report card from 2021 showed improvement in part because there was less macroalgae in the bay in 2021, than in earlier years. And 2021’s water quality was in fact much improved versus earlier years, across the bay. However, if there is a substantial macroalgae bloom in the upper bay, that might mean that the bay will shift back down to yellows (or worse) if we don’t act on the nutrient source(s) that might be responsible for such an event. And if it persists, it might also cause a loss of seagrass, which we believe was at least partly responsible for seagrass losses in the lower bay between 2013 and 2016.
More to come over the next few weeks, but we don’t want the Management Committee and Policy Board to be unaware of what could be a troubling recent phenomenon in Sarasota Bay. We’ll keep you informed about what we find out, when we have more information to share. Thanks for your time and attention.
David Tomasko
Executive Director
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for Comment
To: Longboat Key Town Clerk Trish Shinkle
The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is a statement of work identifying the planning priorities and activities to be carried out by the MPO for the next two (2) years. It includes a description of the planning work and resulting products, who will perform the work, time frames for completion, costs, and the source(s) of funding. The UPWP was posted on the MPO Website at www.mympo.org for a 30-day review period. With this email it is provided to the MPO Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Citizen Advisory Network (CAN) for their review and recommendation. With final acceptance by federal and state review agencies, the UPWP becomes effective for the coming two fiscal years that commence on July 1 of the first year.
The UPWP can be downloaded here: https://www.mympo.org/documents-library#68-33-unified-planning-work-program. The MPO Board is scheduled to review and approve the UPWP on Monday, May 28, 2022. Please provide any comments to David Machado davidm@mympo.org or Rachel McClain rachel@mympo.org or phone 941-359-5772.
Nanette Eubanks
Sarasota/Manatee MPO
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Comment
To: Longboat Key Town Clerk Trish Shinkle
Each year the Sarasota/Manatee MPO updates the 5 Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The new Draft TIP for FY 2022/23—2026/27 is now available for public review and comment.
If you would like to download the TIP, please visit our Library page on the MPO Website, select Transportation Improvement Program, and then select Draft 2022 TIP. Visit the MPO Website by following this link: https://www.mympo.org/documents-library#68-39-transportation-improvement-program. Please provide any comments to Ryan Brown ryan@mympo.org, David Machado davidm@mympo.org, or Rachel McClain rachel@mympo.org or by phone.
The TIP will be presented at the upcoming committee meetings on May 9th and will be presented to the MPO Board at their next MPO Board meeting on May 28, 2022. The TIP must be submitted to FDOT by July 15, 2022.
If you have any other questions or comments regarding the TIP, please let me know.
Nanette Eubanks
Sarasota/Manatee MPO
Advisory Board Applications
To: Longboat Key Commission
As mentioned at your strategic planning retreat, we have been advertising for several of the Advisory Boards and Committees. See email update from the Clerk’s Office highlighting the applications that have been received.
Based on the current list of applications we have not scheduled a formal meet and greet for Monday. Most of the applications are requests for reappointments and the Commissioners are familiar with the incumbents.
There are two new applications received for individuals that currently do not serve on one of the advisory boards or committees.
One is for the P&Z Board where there are two openings. We have two incumbents that have applied asking to be reappointed to the seats that they have been serving in. Eddie Abrams is the new applicant.
There is one new applicant for the Citizen’s Tax Oversight Committee (John Rayis) and one existing ZBA member (Richard Pearce) that has applied to also serve on this Committee That Committee has 4 seats with terms expiring. Three of the incumbents want to be reappointed so there are a total of five applications for the four seats.
There is also a vacant seat on the MPO Citizens Advisory Network for a Longboat Key representative. Eddie Abrams and John Rayis are both interested in serving as the Longboat Key representative.
All of the applications and background information will be in the agenda packet published on Wednesday. In the past where there have only been a couple of new applicants, Commissioners have individually reached out to introduce themselves and ask about their interest versus scheduling a Commission meeting for meeting all of the applicants.
The agenda item will be ready for the Commission to make the appointments at Monday’s Meeting. If the Commission would like to have further discussions or have the applicants come to a future meeting for a formal meet and greet we will schedule that as necessary.
Thomas A. Harmer
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Meet and Greet – Applications Received
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer
Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Board has 2 seats due to term expirations. 2 seats – 3 applicants
• Both incumbents, David Lapovsky and Michael Warnstedt, applied for reappointment.
• Eddie Abrams filed for consideration. Mr. Abrams has not previously served on a Town board/committee.
Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) has 1 seat due to term expiration. 1 seat – 1 applicant
• Kevin Magnus, incumbent, only applicant and seeking reappointment.
Citizen’s Tax Oversight Committee (CTOC) currently has 4 seats, all term expirations. 4 seats – 5 applicants.
• 3 incumbents seeking reappointment, Jack Brill, Paul Levine, and Margaret Nuzzo.
• John Rayis filed for consideration and has not previously served on any Town board/ committee.
• Rich Pearce (on ZBA) submitted an application of interest to also serve on this Committee.
Sarasota County Bicycle/Pedestrian/Trail Advisory Committee has 1 seat due to term expiration. 1 seat – 1 applicant
• Thomas Saunders submitted an application for reappointment.
MPO Citizens Advisory Network – has 1 seat due to term expiration for a Longboat Key representative.
• Eddie Abrams and John Rayis are both interested in serving as the Longboat Key representative.
Citizens’ Oversight Committee for Public School Facility Planning has 1 seat due to term expiration for a Longboat Key representative. No applications submitted.
Trish Shinkle
Town Clerk
Town of Longboat Key
Attendance of Owners at Bayport at May 3 Town meeting
To: Marc Pachtman
I’m glad we got to meet today and discuss crossing issues for Bayport. There will be a session at Town Hall on Tuesday, May 3, where Town staff and our consultants will discuss with the public long-term development plans for Gulf of Mexico Drive. The session will begin at 9 a.m. and will be the best opportunity for your HOA to present its views.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Longboat Key
Attendance of Owners at Bayport at May 3 Town meeting
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
As you know I very much appreciated that you met me at Bayport to view in person the factual basis for our concerns about crossing the Gulf of Mexico Drive in front of Bayport Beach and Tennis.
In your April 7 email (see below) you stated the May 3 meeting at Town Hall “…will be the best opportunity for..(Bayport).. to present its views.”
I have been working since that email to organize people to attend the meeting and a number of them will be there. (Unfortunately, there are many owners who, although they support the crosswalk, are physically not on LBK.).
The question that I have been asked is whether we can be added to the agenda so that one or more owners from our community can speak. In addition, how many of those that attend will be able to speak? Thanks so much.
Marc Pachtman
Pachtman Law Office
Philadelphia, PA
Attendance of Owners at Bayport at May 3 Town meeting
To: Marc Pachtman
You don’t need to be added to the agenda. Any member of the public is entitled to speak at the outset of any public meeting on any topic for 3 minutes. Where members of the public care to speak on a matter that is on the agenda (which GMD planning will be on May 3), those speakers will have their turn after the staff presentation on that subject. Let me know if you have any further questions.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Longboat Key
Attendance of Owners at Bayport at May 3 Town meeting
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Mayor, just to clarify. The May 3rd Meeting is not a Commission Meeting. It is the public outreach session with the staff and GMD Corridor Study Consultant at Town Hall from 9-11am. There will be a presentation by the consultant, Q&A with attendees, and a mechanism for written feedback as well. The primary purpose of the session is to educate the public about the study and take public input.
Thomas A. Harmer
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Attendance of Owners at Bayport at May 3 Town meeting
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer
Representatives from Bayport intend to appear at the meeting. Will they be able to speak, at what point during the meeting can they speak and how many people can speak on behalf of adding a crosswalk in front of Bayport?
Marc Pachtman
Pachtman Law Office
Philadelphia, PA
Attendance of Owners at Bayport at May 3 Town meeting
To: Marc Pachtman
Marc, thanks for the email. I understand Isaac has reached out directly to go over the format, but a primary purpose of the meeting is public comment. You will hear from the Town’s consultant on their work so far, and then the rest of the meeting will be answering questions or taking feedback. There is no pre-established number of minutes or set timer like a formal Commission Meeting. Depending on the number of people present there should be adequate time for any public input. Isaac and his staff will manage that to make sure the meeting is productive.
Thomas A. Harmer
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Tourist Development Tax 3rd Additional 1 Cent Levy
To: TDC Members
Just a reminder, that staff will present the Tourist Development Tax 3rd Additional 1 Cent Levy discussion to the Board of County Commissioners tomorrow morning (shortly after 9 a.m.). If you would like to tune in the link is provided below.
https://sarasotacounty.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=48
Anna C. Madden
Business Professional II
Office of Financial Management
Car hauler message
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer
Regarding the message on the message board greeting drivers as the enter Longboat Key from the south – “no car haulers per FL ST 316.1945”:
Since I don’t have Florida statutes memorized, I would interpret this as no car haulers allowed on Longboat Key. I’m guessing that many of the drivers of car haulers might interpret this the same way, especially since many of them are probably from out of state. Since the intended message is that there is no loading/unloading on GMD, can we make this message more clear to convey the proper intent?
Debra Williams
Commissioner
Longboat Key
Car hauler message
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Debra Williams
Thanks for the note. I will take a look and discuss with Police Department.
Thomas A. Harmer
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Follow Up to Board Meeting of April 21
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Penny Gold
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights at our board meeting this week on the needed focus for the EDC going forward. The way forward is to elevate the conversation so that the business, government, education, and non-profit sectors are aligned for greater effectiveness. Change always starts with listening, followed by a thoughtful shift in vision and strategy to advance policy. I am looking forward to our continued work on creating a longer-term vision and strategy for this EDC.
We have submitted the FY2023 plan goals and budget to Sarasota County. The Budget and Plan will be considered on May 24, 2022. We will send you a link for the meeting when it is available. I will review the Budget and 2023 Plan at our next EDC Board meeting.
Given our stable position, we will return to our regular schedule of every other month board meetings, rather than monthly meetings. Therefore, the EDC board meeting scheduled for May 19 is cancelled.
Please be sure to make your reservations to attend the Economic Outlook Luncheon on May 20. Invitation is attached. Thank you to our sponsors!
Rob Lewis thought it helpful to share the link to the County’s mobility page. The site notes the new mobility on demand service as well as bus routes. You may find this useful for your employees as transportation alternatives.
We will invite Director of Transit, Jane Grogg to a future EDC Board Meeting. See https://www.scgov.net/government/scat-bus-service/schedules-and-route-maps
The Future Land Use Committee has been actively engaged. A BOCC Meeting will be held on April 26 to consider adopting a Comprehensive Plan Amendment amending Future Land Use Policies relating to Major Employment Centers (MECs). An update to the Committee will be provided after the BOCC meeting. If you are not on the Committee but would like more information, please reach out to me or Chair, Joe Hembree. For those interested in reaching out directly to Bridge Angels, here is Kim’s contact information:
Kim Miele
Executive Director
Bridge Angel Investors
US 41 Gulfstream Roundabout Night Work Canceled
To: Longboat Key Town Clerk Trish Shinkle
Canceled – Upcoming Paving and Traffic Switch on Sunday, April 24 through Thursday April 28.
Due to material shortages, the scheduled paving operation and traffic switch on US 41 southbound between Fruitville Road and Gulfstream Avenue has been postponed. Work will be rescheduled when materials are available.
Alice Ramos
Community Outreach Manager
Florida Department of Transportation
US 41 Gulfstream Roundabout Night Work Canceled
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer
Not a good sign, especially on the day the work was to begin.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Longboat Key
Good morning
To: Longboat Key Vice Mayor Maureen Merrigan
Good morning ladies. I was awakened this morning to someone banging on my door. When I opened the door I saw a man grimacing and doing the jig. He asked if he could use my bathroom. I told him no and to please go away from our property. I could have gone into the subject by saying I am not that type of guy. There is a good chance that he just had to go to the bathroom badly or he could have had a small handgun or knife in his waistband. I did not want to find out about either. This has been going on for many years with people trespassing and using our property as their restroom. Almost daily we see people going under the bridge and obviously going to the bathroom in public by the pilings. Please represent your constituents who think that this is not a good idea. We do not like trespassers and we do not like the idea of turning a Nature Preserve into a general public restroom. Swimmers, fishermen, kayakers and most boaters do not have restrooms available. You should not encourage more people to use this area without understanding that there are no restrooms, security or plan for the obvious problems that this creates. Please represent us to the Manatee County Commissioners and tell them that their planning for this Greer Sand Spit has been terrible for the past 5 years or more. We asked that they consider this when they allowed the Fun Barge to stay here for 5 years. After 5 years they finally removed the barge because- wait for it, it was being operated illegally. I think that it would be worthwhile to research why the Manatee County Commission has taken the position that they have taken which is an imposition to local homeowners and residents. Where is their planning department?
Tom Mayers
Longboat Key
Good morning
To: Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge
I wrote to you several weeks ago with no response from you about the nightmare your constituents and mine are facing on the north end of Longboat Key.
As you can see from the attached email the situation worsens by the week and the spit by the Saunders/Mayer home now makes it possible for people to step onto their docks. Imagine people at your door at any hour demanding use of bathrooms, phones or just parking and playing loud music and drinking the night away.
They need to have peace and security now. Please have the County step up and get this situation under control. Get the property posted. Help us stop the trespassing and support your residents.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Longboat Key
Good morning
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
The Sheriff will have his boys put some pressure on today. He did say that if people are on private property such as docks then residents need to call LBKPD right away.
Kevin Van Ostenbridge
Commissioner
Manatee County
Thank You
To: Sarasota City Park Manager Arthur Larkins
I have been a weekly gym customer (twice a week every week) of the Robert L. Taylor Community Center for the past 4+ years. I have watched the staff of your facility navigate us all through non-eventful times (which we now call “pre-pandemic”) and also the through the scariest public health event most of us have ever had to endure. Through the darkest days of the pandemic you and your staff have cared for us all with grace and the highest of cleanliness and safety standards.
Without exception, your staff have kept the RLTCC facility absolutely spotless. I have been heard telling friends and acquaintances who are looking for a safe gym about your facility, its high hygiene standards and the feeling of safety that your staff provides.
I would especially like to thank your cleaning staff for their diligence and obvious pride and care they take in both the job they do and the people they do it for. I cannot commend them enough.
Please pass along my sincerest thanks for the job they are doing and the exceptional environment your team has created.
Nancy Goudy
Sarasota
Parking on Main and Street vendors
To: Sarasota City Commission
My name is Roland Moser owner of McCarver & Moser Jeweler 1301 Main Street.
I will like to bring to your attention parking on Main Street occupied by restaurants, many of our customers are complaining about how difficult it is to find parking on the street, I believed it is time to reinstate the original parking.
Also, not sure I understand why a coffee street vendor I able to establish a shop on the south corner of Main Street and Gulf Stream Ave., when you have THREE coffee shops on the 1300 block of Main Str already and 3 more on the next block. It is unfair to those people who are paying rent. Thank you for your attention.
Roland Moser
Sarasota
Need your assistance
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Liz Alpert
I live on St. Armands and would like your assistance in resolving an issue that has been ongoing for some time.
With all the construction of new hotel houses, pending condo development, and other residences on Lido Key, many contractors have started using South Washington Drive as a cut-through to their job site. This is not an occasional nuisance, but rather one that occurs every day with at least 6-10 large vehicles — dump trucks, concrete mixers, heavy equipment — driving down S. Washington between John Ringling Blvd. and Blvd. of the Presidents before turning South towards Lido Key.
S. Washington Drive was not designed to be a commercial roadway. We routinely have to allow one side of traffic to move through if there are cars parked on the curb as there is not enough space to comfortably fit 3 vehicles across. We are incurring significant destruction to our residential street, not to mention the noise, and hazard of constantly having to move for these large trucks. Our once beautiful community is now becoming a dangerous roadway.
Other streets within our City have “no truck” signs, including N. Washington Drive. I’d like to request your assistance in getting approval for a “no truck” sign on S. Washington Drive, along with the support that we will need to inform the commercial contractors of this change. Thank you for your help.
Cynthia M.
Sarasota
Need your assistance
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Liz Alpert
As a follow up to my earlier message, it was only a matter of minutes before we had two dump trucks trying to make it through the street at the same time. The larger one on the right had to back up as they both could not fit. This is unnecessarily disruptive to the residents of St. Armands.
Cynthia M.
Sarasota
Need your assistance
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Liz Alpert
I’m following up on the emails I sent you over two weeks ago regarding heavy commercial equipment driving through residential streets on St. Armands, and our request for support from you.
I’ve not received any reply to these emails. The situation has not improved, and continues to be a major burden for the residents that you represent on St. Armands key.
As outlined in my first email to you: Other streets within our City have “no truck” signs, including N. Washington Drive. I’d like to request your assistance in getting approval for a “no truck” sign on S. Washington Drive, along with the support that we will need to inform the commercial contractors of this change.
I look forward to a response as the residents of our neighborhood have asked me to advise them of your actions on this issue.
Cynthia M.
Sarasota
Need your assistance
To: Cynthia M.
I’m sorry. I must have missed your email. I am copying the city manager so that the appropriate staff is made aware of the situation and can respond.
Liz Alpert
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
