Short term rental
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Thanks for sharing this email. We will review and let you know.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Short term rental
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
Can we take care of this?
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Short term rental
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Sarah Karon
To all, I have spoken to John Simmons at code enforcement about the weekly rental at 501 Norton Street. I explained to John that every Saturday 10-15 new people arrive for a week’s stay. My backyard has become a campground with 5 canoes, multiple chairs, rock climbing walls, mini golf, ping-pong table, flashing arcade games, floats and towels all spread out and of course the nightly pool gatherings until late night. The residents on Norton have to put up with the 6-7 garbage bins that the raccoons have a blast with. David Woods just ignores my calls and John Simmons told me that there was nothing he could do because it is advertised as a 28-day minimum stay. We have residents who have taken pictures of all the different cars that change each week, and the property manager moves garbage bins in front of vacant homes to look better for him. John Simmons was almost making me defend myself for even complaining, by saying could I not just let it go through the summer?
This is not a residential neighborhood when you have 10-15 New People every Saturday. John told me that I did not understand how difficult it was to make the short-term rental program
stay in line. That’s his job and David Woods job. Therefore, if the job can’t be enforced (which John claims in cannot) then we don’t need a code enforcement division.
I have lived here 32years and at no time did we ever have a situation like this, nor have I ever been told by a town employee that it was my fault for wanting some type of bliss while residing on Longboat Key. Thank you for listening and I hope we can get a resolution to an unhappy situation for many of us in Sleepy Lagoon.
Katharine Girle
Longboat Key
Short term rental
To: Katharine Girle
I can’t imagine what you have had to deal with – we need your neighbors to be good neighbors.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Short term rental
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
BJ, I know you have more than enough to deal with right now and I appreciate your help.
Thank you.
Katharine Girle
Longboat Key
Short term rental
To: Katharine Girle
Catherine – I have asked town manager to get this resolved.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Miscellaneous Issues
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Good morning and thank you, Commissioner, for passing along these questions from your constituents. Please encourage them to contact the PZB office for options. If there are minor (i.e., non-life/safety related) outstanding items (such as landscaping or irrigation) remaining, a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) could be issued, which would allow occupancy until those items are completed.
Regarding the St. Regis, it is still the case that staff has not received an application for changes to parking or the addition of tennis/pickleball courts. St. Regis is still operating under a TCO. Staff has been issuing extensions in 90-day increments, while St. Regis continues to work on closing-out outstanding requirements. While not common, there are projects around the state, and locally, that have had extended periods of operating under a TCO. Staff is working with the St. Regis developer to close out the project and, based on continued good faith efforts, has not pursued revoking, or no longer extending, the TCO due to the serious implications to the resort and property owners. Staff has also been informed that the St. Regis developer will be pursuing a Variance request from certain Town Code requirements within the flood control ordinance. I will share those details with the Commission when we receive them. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Miscellaneous Issues
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
Several friends have recently finished new homes on Longboat Key. The question arose about final occupancy permits. One friend had asked about landscaping being completed and the second person asked why the St. Regis is being allowed to operate despite the fact that they do not have a final occupancy permit, but they could not move into their home with just a minor issue outstanding.
The first point about landscaping was in the heat of summer it was not a great time to install landscaping. They understood sod or grass but not plants. I thought it was a great point. I am not familiar with the level of landscaping we have in the code before occupancy permits can be released.
Second point seemed particularly appropriate. The St. Regis was opened a year ago. They have a number of dead trees in front of the property and recently have floated ideas in the newspaper regarding additional construction of parking and tennis and pickleball courts. None of those projects, staff has stated, have been submitted for consideration. I would hope we would not consider further work on the site when they have not completed the work necessary to have a permanent occupancy permit on their initial project. Is there a deadline for how long they can continue to operate without a permanent occupancy permit? And, if the answer to that question is no, should there be a time limit?
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Proposed Name Change for Gulf of Mexico Drive
To: Lillian Sands
Thanks for your note. I am aware of the letter suggesting that Gulf of Mexico Drive be renamed, as well as some opposition to that proposal. Your concerns that the costs and inconvenience of a name change are uncertain and could be extensive are well taken. At this point, we are unaware of any explicit or implicit legal requirement that LBK even consider such a step. Should that happen, I am sure we will explore every possible ramification in public before acting.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Proposed Name Change for Gulf of Mexico Drive
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
I am aware that there is a proposal to change the name of Gulf of Mexico Drive. Just a few months ago, residents were devastated by Hurricane Helene (myself included). I suspect the person/s who created this proposal were neither devastated nor live on this street.
While I could debate the merits of such a senseless proposal with no huge upside in my mind, I think your main concern should be protecting and helping residents and businesses thrive. A name change may sound simple but this proposal is a costly move for residents right now. With the median age of residents being around 72, luddite homeowners like myself will need to engage assistance to change utilities, banks, subscriptions, etc. Businesses will need to update websites in addition to these.
The additional costs per household (both time and assistance) could run approximately $200-$300, and businesses would pay out approximately $350-$900 for the additional HTML coding. All told, you would be agreeing to impose approximately $2-$4 million in direct costs to businesses and residents (mainly due to stationery, address updates, forms, helpers, and web updates—while older residents would incur higher costs for assistance). This does not include municipal signage which could cost tens or hundreds of thousands added to the municipal budget.
I would like to know what measurable improvement this name change will mean for our community because I only see mounting costs and inconvenience at a time we are struggling (and snowbirds are not around to weigh in on this at all).
How will this change genuinely benefit our residents and businesses after we have covered the expense and recovered from all this upheaval? Why add this now rather than focus on the many things Longboat Key desperately needs to recover?
If the town persists with this proposal, I suggest we engage an independent appraisal of the benefits and costs. That is money worth spending before devastated residents waste a bunch of time and money.
Lillian Sands
Longboat Key
Miscellaneous Issues
To: Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton
No rush but they intrigued me, as well.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Miscellaneous Issues
To: Longboat Key Commissioner BJ Bishop
Thank you, Commissioner, for your questions. Let me review and get you some answers shortly.
Howard N. Tipton
Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Public Comment Period Open for Draft 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan
To: MPO Chair Commissioner Dr. Neunder and MPO Board members:
As noted below and in preparation for presentation to and discussion by the MPO Board at the September 29, 2025 MPO Board meeting (and adoption at the October 20, 2025 MPO Board meeting), the public comment draft of the 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) update is now available online. The LRTP addresses state and federal transportation planning requirements needed to use federal and state transportation funds in our region.
MPO staff continues to work closely with your jurisdictional staffs to refine and finalize the document in preparation for adoption by the MPO Board. Some summary, introductory or background sections are still being prepared; if there are any key points you’d like to add or see included, please let us know. While the plan horizon is 2050, the process is iterative with updates every five years so there is hope that additional infrastructure funds will become available allowing delivery of more projects that can be funded based on current revenue projections.
We’ll present a thorough overview at the September Board meeting. If you’d like to review or discuss any sections or aspects of the plan update with MPO staff prior to that time, please let me know and we will meet with you at your convenience.
David L. Hutchinson
Executive Director
Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization
Public Comment Period Open for Draft 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan
To: Longboat Key Town Staff
The draft 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan – “Invest Today, Transform Tomorrow – is now available for public comment. The chapters, technical reports, and supporting documentation can be accessed via the MPO website at www.mympo.org/2050-lrtp-public-comment-page.
Any comments provided during this period will be incorporated into the final draft. Public comments should be submitted by September 5, 2025.
There are several ways to make a public comment:
Use the Public Comment Box on the MPO website:
www.mympo.org/2050-lrtp-public-comment-page
Call the MPO office at (941) 359-5772.
Send an email to the MPO at mpo@mympo.org
Mail a letter to the MPO Office: 8100 15th St E, Sarasota, FL 34243
A printed copy of the 2050 Long Range Transportation will be available at the MPO Office for anyone wishing to review it in person.
Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to schedule a meeting to discuss the draft.
Nina Venter
Wenonah (Nina) Venter
Senior Planner
Sarasota/Manatee MPO
Oak trees US 41 median
To: Jana Hoefling
I wanted to get back to you about the tagged oak trees in the medians on North Tamiami Trail north of 14th street. I had a phone conversation with Mr. Richard, Landscape Architect at FDOT, and he also confirmed with Ulysses at FDOT, that the ribbons were used for tree surveying but the ribbons no longer have any meaning, and the ribbons will be removed but the trees will stay. Yea.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Oak trees US 41 median
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Thanks so much for the follow through.
Jana Hoefling
Sarasota
Oak trees US 41 median
To: Jana Hoefling
Thanks! I called and left a detailed message. I’ll let you know what I find out.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Oak trees US 41 median
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Please see information from Verne below.
Patrick Robinson
Deputy City Manager
City of Sarasota
Oak trees US 41 median
To: Sarasota Deputy City Manager Pat Robinson
The best I can do is Ulises Valles at the DOT.
Verne Hall
Utilities Director
City of Sarasota
Oak trees US 41 median
To: Sarasota City Utilities Director Verne Hall
Copy that, thanks.
Patrick Robinson
Deputy City Manager & Public Safety Director
City of Sarasota
Oak trees US 41 median
To: Sarasota Deputy City Manager Pat Robinson
I will do some more digging.
Verne Hall
Utilities Director
City of Sarasota
Oak trees US 41 median
To: Sarasota Utilities Director Verne Hall
Verne do we have a point of contact at FDOT I can give to the Commissioner so she can ask FDOT questions about the trees?
Patrick Robinson
Deputy City Manager & Public Safety Director
City of Sarasota
Oak trees US 41 median
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Let me see if I can find out if our people have a POC on this project.
Patrick Robinson
Deputy City Manager & Public Safety Director
City of Sarasota
Oak trees US 41 median
To: Sarasota Deputy City Manager Pat Robinson
Thank you for the follow-up on this Mr. Robinson, I do appreciate it! Per FDOT and the trees in the medians, as this was the main concern, should I follow up with someone specific at FDOT? Let me know your thoughts.
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Oak trees US 41 median
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
Just a follow up regarding whether the oak trees in the median on 41 will be protected during the upcoming pipe work. What do the colored ribbons on some of the trees signify? Thanks for all you do for our city and its inhabitants.
Jana Hoefling
Sarasota
Utility Wires Down
To: Ellie Baxter
I am glad that the wires were taken care of!
Mayor Liz Alpert
City of Sarasota
Utility Wires Down
To: Sarasota City Mayor Liz Alpert
Thank you. The wires were taken care of. We really appreciate your taking the time to help.
Ellie Baxter
Sarasota
Utility Wires Down
To: Elinor Baxter
I’m sorry you’re having a problem getting this resolved. I am copying the city manager and deputy city manager so that the appropriate staff can respond.
Liz Alpert
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Utility Wires Down
To: Sarasota City Mayor Liz Alpert
I have utility wires on the ground by the pole and blocking part of my driveway. I have contacted FPL, Xfinity and Frontier and all deny that the wires are their wires and no one will remove them. I have contacted numerous city departments and nobody will do anything. The wires are on the street on city property. Can you please direct me to someone who can resolve this issue?
Elinor Baxter
Sarasota
Utility Wires Down
To: Dorothy Donovan
Thanks for writing regarding your concerns and wanting to make sure you are doing the right thing. I am copying the interim city manager and deputy city manager so that the appropriate staff can respond to you.
Liz Alpert
Mayor
City of Sarasota
Issue with sewer back up
To: Sarasota City Mayor Liz Alpert
I am writing to you today to request your guidance on a matter concerning a recurring sewer blockage at my property located at Waikiki Drive, Sarasota, within District Two. My name is Dorothy Donovan, and you can reach me at any time.
Since early 2020, I have experienced repeated sewer line obstructions. A recent inspection by Armstrong Plumbing determined that the cause is the intrusion of tree roots from my laurel oak. While I understand that responsibility for root removal from my property rests with me, the proximity of the sewer line to the city sidewalk (less than two feet) raises concerns regarding the potential for accidental damage to city infrastructure during remediation.
To assist in clarifying the situation, I have attached photographs clearly indicating the location of the blockage. I have also utilized a garden hose to further delineate the affected area. Before undertaking any root removal, I would greatly appreciate your expert advice on the safe limits of excavation to prevent any unintentional damage to city property. Your guidance on this matter will be invaluable in ensuring a safe and effective resolution. Thank you for your time, consideration, and assistance. I look forward to your response.
Dorothy Donovan
Sarasota
