Longboat Key News and Sarasota City News encourages Letters to the Editor on timely issues. Please email to: letters@lbknews.com or mail to PO Box 8001, Longboat Key, FL 34228. We also print letters sent to Town Hall that address Longboat Key issues. We reserve the right to edit.
Who writes headlines?
To: Editor
Thank you for the informative front page news in your 2/14 issue of LBKNews. Both Blake Fleetwood and Steve Reid presented sound local information in good reporting. Both provided leadership thinking. But! I have to ask about your lead headline that “construction noise louder, longer following hurricanes.” My immediate reaction was No bleep!
Less construction noise following hurricanes would be News indeed. But more? Now? No ****!
John Ehlert
Sarasota
Library
To: Editor
I am writing to you to support all that you said in your article regarding the library. My husband and I also feel that it is totally unnecessary.
When we discovered longboat key twenty years ago, it was the art center that charmed us and opened a new life for us. It was a determining factor for us to purchase on the island. It was a wonderful island oasis where we were able to find our new selves and grow. We were upset when we heard that Ringling purchased it. I was extremely involved with the pottery and devastated that they immediately closed that facility. I felt that, at that time, they were really considering the center as a temporary place. If they were truly committed they would have done a complete renovation. Much of the island spark faded with the closure.
When there was the promise of helping to develop the community center I was really hopeful that something great would be created.
Sadly, we are very disappointed, yet not surprised. If Ringling did not come through with the promise of a true renovation of the Art Center, why would they keep their promise on a Community Center for the island?
I hope that the Board recognizes that we have an adequate library on the island already and that we need to have more cultural learning experiences that don’t require a trip to Sarasota where our dollars support the city and not our island. Thank you for your efforts. We support you in every way.
Pam and Dr. Mark Rosenblum
Longboat Key
Longboat Key Town Center Green Event Space
To: Editor
Steve, right on, right on, right on! The Library plan should be shelved for all the reasons you put forth especially given the new climate for maximizing tax dollar efficiency. As you said, a Library is not “free”. Longboaters have already spoken in the past few years in the annual resident surveys and they are about to speak again with this year’s survey for Town leadership guidance. A Library is not their priority. Other proven uses that you itemized would certainly encourage people to contribute philanthropic participation to help develop. The Town is currently having difficulty raising funding for a Library.
The question is, what is the highest and best use of the Town Center and Green for our tax dollars? What will draw the highest volume of resident use and repeat use of our Town Center which was the original Vision and Mission. It is clearly not a Library based on past Longboat Surveys and general anecdotal feedback vs. enjoying higher volume Community special events on the Town Green. Thank you for your editorial input to the Town for consideration. We hope people will speak up.
Bob and Shannon Gault
Longboat Key
How Long?
To: Longboat Key Commission
When the voters approved the 2015 and 2016 underground project, they were given the impression that it would be a three year project, and that the beautification of the island would be marvelous. For the past decade the underground project has caused much of the island to resemble a construction zone. Forlorn power poles still dot the landscape.
I believe seawater intrusion into transformers, resulting in premature ageing, still needs to be fully addressed. As the climate crisis worsens, more and more transformers may be impacted by flooding. Taxpayers need to be assured that all transformers can withstand repeated seawater intrusion without degrading life expectancy.
I believe the second referendum provision for an island-wide fiber network has never been implemented, though it was used to allow already undergrounded property owners to have an equal vote, though their assessment was a fraction of property owners in the “neighborhoods”. Without the fiber network provision, the second referendum would likely have failed. I would be interested if those assessed for only fiber cable were ever charged.
Gene Jaleski
Longboat Key
How Long?
To: Gene Jaleski
Have you moved back to Longboat Key and we didn’t notice?
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Longboat Key North Learning Center
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
I am a member of the North End Space Team (NEST) from Sleepy Lagoon. As you know, NEST, a dedicated team of individuals from north end neighborhoods has worked diligently to gather and organize community input and plan the layout of a much needed adult education, exercise, art and meeting place. Enthusiasm for this project exists throughout the population of north end neighborhoods who have many diverse needs for a community center of this kind.
I’m writing to let you know how disappointed I am in the decision made by Tal Siddique and Manatee County to abandon the current effort to create a community space on the north end of the Longboat Key. The step taken recently to end the lease at Whitney Plaza was a huge setback and the people I’ve spoken to in the Sleepy Lagoon neighborhood are deeply discouraged by this action. Furthermore, we were shocked to read it in the paper, rather than get this sad news ahead of time.
I’m concerned that there is so much focus on other projects on the island that this setback may completely derail this project. I respectfully request information about the kind of commitment the town has to continue this effort. When will the town meet with Commissioner Siddique to establish a partnership and a plan to create forward momentum on this initiative? Thank in advance for your reply.
Deborah A. Di Carlo
North End Space Team
Red tide update
To: Longboat Key Commission
Manatee Beach – raked and clean
Coquina Beach N & S – raked and clean
Bayfront Park – clean
Longboat Key – needs some work. We are raking with two beach rakes now and should be completed by noon today.
Carmine DeMilio
Deputy Director Parks & County Grounds, Manatee County
Red Tide Update
To: Manatee County Deputy Administrator Bryan Parnell
Our schedule
2.17.2025 – Two beach rakes and loader from Coquina to Bayfront, successful cleanup.
2.18.2025 – Manatee, Coquina & Bayfront successful clean up. Conditions are currently clear.
2.18.2025 – Assessed Longboat Key – staff will head out early with beach rake and loader.
2.19.2025
We will run three beach rakes and will cover:
Manatee Beach
Coquina Beach
Bayfront Park
Longboat Key
Updates to follow.
Carmine DeMilio
Deputy Director Parks & County Grounds
Manatee County
Underground Project
To: Paul Capioppo
Thanks for your note. My top priority over the past few years has been to press Town staff, FPL and Willco to complete the undergrounding project, which originally called for completion in 2023. Bottom line: after additional delays caused by our recent hurricanes, we now expect all equipment installations and electrical conversions island wide to be finished by the end of March and the removal of all poles and wires by the end of June, hopefully before then. I was encouraged to see today substantial wire removal going on between the north end of Country Club Shores and Publix. Remaining new light poles will be installed once existing poles that block installation are removed.
While the completion of this project has taken longer than planned, none of the delays have increased the project’s cost to the Town. We remain materially under budget and have not neared the use of contingency amounts included in the budget.
I am copying this note to Public Works Director Charlie Mopps in case he wants to correct or amplify any of my comments.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Underground Project
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
I want to share with you my concerns about the underground project. I own a home on Tarawitt Drive.
The underground project seems to be lagging. If removal of the streetlight poles is an indicator of the degree of completion this project is a long way from finished. I believe the number of existing poles is the key indicator of progress that most residents understand. I think most people get lost in the technical jargon used when the project status is discussed and don’t understand when they can expect completion.
Zone 1 (Longboat Key Club to Country Club Shores V) appears to be completed. Zone 2 (North end to Dream Island) appears to be close to completion, but not all poles are down. There are still poles for approximately 7 miles from Country Club Shores V to Longboat Island Chapel, most of these being in Zones 3 and 4 (from North Country Club Shores through the county line to Dream Island). There are also many poles on side streets of GMD. For a project that was originally scheduled to be completed by now, that seems significant. Certainly, the hurricanes caused delays, but is that acceptable justification for the current status? I was earlier told there would be 1 for 1 replacement of streetlights on the side roads.
Paul Cacioppo
Longboat Key
GMD Wires
To: Longboat Key Public Works Director Charlie Mopps
Great to see wires coming down today on GMD along the northern golf course. Thanks. Btw, any news from FDOT on fixing the traffic light GMD/Bay Isles Pkwy? Still have long lines backing up from GMD to Publix.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Red Tide Update
To: Manatee County Parks and County Grounds Deputy Director Carmine DeMilio
Thanks Carmine, your team is doing a great job!
John Chappie
Mayor
City of Bradenton Beach
Gulf of Mexico Drive/White Sands
To: Longboat Key Town Clerk Trish Shinkle
Thank you and FPL is aware. I believe it is planned to come down with the rest of the UG project wires and poles. It’s in Phase 4. Charlie has asked Guy to see if it can come down sooner, but it was planned with that phase pole removals, I believe.
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Longboat Key
Gulf of Mexico Drive/White Sands
To: Longboat Key Town Clerk Trish Shinkle
Surely this falling lamplight could pose a serious injury threat to any innocent passer by which could lead to legal action again The Town or FPL? Realizing how busy everybody is right now and thank you for all the town has done, I just wanted
Surely this falling lamplight could pose a serious injury threat to any innocent
passer by which could lead to legal action again The Town or FPL?
Realizing how busy everybody is right now and thank you for all the town has done,
I just wanted to bring this to your attention. Regards and thanks and no reply needed.
Michael Bergin
Longboat Key
Beach traffic
To: Longboat Key Commission
I have attached the beach traffic slides from my comments at the last workshop, as requested.
As you know, beach traffic is a huge issue for island workers, residents, guests and town employees.
When traffic backs up on the north end, like it did today, google maps often directs drivers going to Bradenton from the northern half of the Key to drive south through St Armands and Sarasota, further stressing southbound traffic. The congestion from the newly opened and expanded Coquina / Cortez beach parking lots is an issue that impacts all of LBK.
LBK North has reached out to Tal Saddique, our Manatee County Commissioner to see what he can do. We know Tip is also trying to make headway with the County Administrator.
I encourage each of you to take the following actions (if you haven’t already):
Drive north over Longboat Pass to see first hand the expanded Coquina parking lot, gates and access roads.
Get an accurate count of Coquina Beach parking spaces from the County (in total and new additions)
Ask Manatee County to manage the gates at Coquina to close off cut-through traffic and direct beach traffic to one exit.
Drive further north to see the long section of southern Cortez beach (including parking) currently being reconstructed.
Ask to see the design for Cortez beach parking (from Cortez Road south to Coquina) to assess if issues regarding traffic flow and ingress/egress are being adequately addressed.
Ken – Maybe you could connect with George Kruse, chair of BOCC and at-large County Commissioner (given the delay in the joint LBK / Manatee County Meeting). Thank you for any help you can provide.
Maureen Merrigan
Co-Chair LBK North
Beach traffic
To: LBK North Co-Chair Maureen Merrigan
Thanks, Maureen. I’m sure we will address North end traffic at our Workshop this afternoon.
Ken Schneier
Mayor
Town of Longboat Key
Starbucks
To: Ralph Lorenzo DeNino
Update on Starbucks at the old Saunders office. No application has been submitted to the Town. Given the amount of space they are renting and the current zoning of that space they will have to get a “Special Exception Permit” which would be a hearing before the Planning and Zoning Board. Also, do not know if the parking will be adequate – won’t know until Town sees an application. I know the Winslow residents had concerns on a restaurant use with the Ursini project – this is considered a restaurant (Starbucks). Please share with your Board.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner
Town of Longboat Key
Sovereign Immunity
To: Florida House
Tomorrow morning The House Civil Justice Subcommittee will hear HB 301 (Suits Against the Government). As a Commissioner in Longboat Key FL I urge you to oppose this bill.
Raising the caps on government liability in negligence lawsuits would impose a massive financial burden on local taxpayers. HB 301 quadruples the current limit from $200,000 to $1 million per person and from $300,000 to $3 million per incident.
Higher caps will create skyrocketing insurance costs. The insurance market in Florida is already volatile and this bill would make securing adequate coverage even more difficult and expensive. My community is still recovering from the multiple hurricanes of 2024 – we cannot handle more financial burdens.
HB301’s limits are extreme compared to other states. Thirty-three states have sovereign immunity caps. Texas caps liability at $250K per person and $500K per occurrence. Florida should not be setting liability limits drastically higher than peer states. New York and California have no caps, but they also have some of the highest tax burdens in the country. Florida’s low-tax, business-friendly environment would be undermined by extreme liability costs.
The existing system already provides a pathway for additional compensation through claims bills. There is no need for an across-the-board increase that will strain municipal budgets.
Raising lawsuit limits would open the floodgates to excessive and frivolous litigation that only benefits trial attorneys.
Please vote no on this bill. The damage it could do to local governments is quite steep.
BJ Bishop
Commissioner, Town of Longboat Key
Beach damage
To: Longboat Key Commissioner Debra Willams
I submitted and email of concern to the town and received a very fast response. In the email I explained my concern over damage to the beach from sand and debris that extends from the sea grapes on GMD back to the gulf. I was not able to attach some pics. Properties on both sides of Beach Harbor Club (3800 GMD) were cleaned up and Beach Harbor was skipped over. In my email I requested an inspection of the damage and debris. I will forward that e mail separately. In that email the response was those properties have guard rails and we do not. I do not understand why BHC was skipped over.
Robert Mulligan
Longboat Key
Gulf of Mexico Drive/White Sands
To: Longboat Key Town Clerk Trish Shinkle
Thank you and FPL is aware. I believe it is planned to come down with the rest of the UG project wires and poles. It’s in Phase 4. Charlie has asked Guy to see if it can come down sooner, but it was planned with that phase pole removals, I believe.
Isaac Brownman
Assistant Town Manager, Town of Longboat Key
Gulf of Mexico Drive/White Sands
To: Longboat Key Town Clerk Trish Shinkle
Surely this falling lamplight could pose a serious injury threat to any innocent passer by which could lead to legal action again The Town or FPL? Realizing how busy everybody is right now and thank you for all the town has done, I just wanted to bring this to your attention. Regards and thanks and no reply needed.
Michael Bergin
Longboat Key
Noise from Jewfish key sandbar
To: Longboat Key Police Chief Frank Rubino
As I’m sure your team is already aware, prime time for JFK sandbar parties is roughly noon – sunset on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. That’s when coverage is most needed at the north end. As we discussed, the mere presence of marine police isn’t enough… they need to ask folks to turn it down (or issue warnings/citations for especially loud or repeat cases). Same goes for drive-by boats. I think as a general rule, if your team can hear the music from 100 yards away, it’s too loud.
It would be great if the same messages could be delivered by FWC, Bradenton PD, Sheriff, and other marine law enforcement when they are out there. BTW, Manatee County also has a noise ordinance… but we’d settle for polite requests from them, which does not require any particular authority.
Thanks for your continued help and great work! Thanks also for offering to meet with us. I look forward to seeing you in March.
James G. Haft
Longboat Key
Noise from Jewfish key sandbar
To: Jim Haft
I am meeting with the team this Friday. I know you won’t be back until March. My boat operators are spread amongst all four shifts. As soon as I hear back from everyone, I’ll send you several dates in March.
Frank Rubino
Interim Chief of Police, Longboat Key Police Department
Noise from Jewfish key sandbar.
To: Longboat Key Police Chief Frank Rubino
Good to talk with you the other day. Per your suggestion, let’s get a date on the calendar sometime in March that Ann & I can come down to meet with you. Please give us a few dates that work Best, Jim James G. Haft
Hi Frank – Good to talk with you the other day. Per your suggestion, let’s get a date on the calendar sometime in March that Ann & I can come down to meet with you. Please give us a few dates that work
James G. Haft
Longboat Key
Noise from Jewfish key sandbar
To: Jim Haft
Would you please give me a call when you get a free moment to discuss the noise on the sandbar? Thank you.
Frank Rubino, Interim Chief of Police, Longboat Key Police Department
Longboat Key Tennis Center
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Just checking in with you concerning the Tennis Center and the annual tournament. I’ve taken over as President of The Friends of Tennis, Inc since David Green has moved, and will continue to serve as Tournament Director for the annual Masters event (Dec 1st-7th this year). I wondered if you would have time next week for a short conversation either at the tennis center or at Town Hall on the following:
Wanted to make you aware of a project suggested by Kay that FOT is pursuing with the Town staff and an outside contractor to plant some larger shrubs behind courts 5 and 6 that can act as a bit of a wind screen.
We’ll also probably include the replacement of some smaller plantings around the pro shop area that died due to the storm.
Talk about an idea we have for the current Town Library property.
Let you know some plans for the tournament over the next couple of years.
I would also like to attend the next Town Commission meeting in early March with Kay for a brief ‘thank you’ to the Town commissioners and staff for all of their efforts with the preparations for the past year’s tournament and to share some of the results. I don’t know if we need to be scheduled to do so, or if we can just speak during the public comments portion of the meeting-happy to do what you suggest there. Let me know what works best for you.
Ron Watts
Longboat Key
Longboat Key Tennis Center
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
Tough to copy folks on emails sent through the town website, but I wanted to let you know that we passed our thanks to the Public Works staff and Howard for not only getting the tennis center fencing repaired this week, but for all of their efforts over the last several weeks helping to get the center in nice shape for the upcoming tournament.
We have 345 registered players for the tournament that runs December 2-8. That’s up from 300 last year and is our highest number of participants outside of the “Covid” tournament of 2021 when we had 387 players.
We were not able to use two of our regular facilities (Club Longboat and Water Club) since they weren’t able to get their courts repaired in time. However, both Longboat Key Club and Cedars gave us some extra court time this year that allowed us to make up for those two facilities.
Players are excited that the event is being held. Friends of Tennis has come up with a small incentive we’ll fund that will give players and volunteers $10 off a dinner at one of our five long-time island restaurant sponsors. We hope it will encourage our visitors to enjoy those restaurants during the week as the restaurants begin to get going again after the storms.
Thanks for your help with the event. Hope you and your other commissioners can find time to stop by during the week to see some of the tennis. We’ll have the chaired finals scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
Ron Watts
Tournament Director &, Friends of Tennis Board Member
The Turtle Coffee Bar vs. Starbucks
To: Katherine & Steve Palmer
Like you, I have read the news that Starbucks may open an outlet on Longboat Key. No application has come before our Town Commission regarding this project, likely because none is required. If the proposed plan meets Town law, staff must issue the necessary permits to move forward. We no more “warmly” welcomed Starbucks to our island than we “cruelly” displaced the Turtle Coffee Bar. Many residents and businesses were severely impacted by 2024’s storms, and the Town and other government bodies have worked tirelessly to help those affected within our given powers; but in the end we do not decide who lives where or who operates a business in what location.
Ken Schneier
Mayor, Town of Longboat Key
The Turtle Coffee Bar vs. Starbucks
To: Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier
We are writing to you to express our disappointment and dismay, along with many others, regarding the following announcement in the Longboat Key News. We understand that you have granted, the largest international retail coffee chain in the United States, Starbucks, along with some other local partners the permission to open a coffee shop at 3174 Gulf of Mexico Drive.
What are you thinking! We can’t tell you how sad and disheartened we are to realize in the process of “warmly” welcoming a gargantuan conglomerate you are cruelly displacing what had become a beloved small business on the island, the Turtle Coffee Bar. This is the kind of small, privately owned, business that you as city leaders should be helping and preserving after the devastation of the past hurricanes. The Turtle Coffee Bar is a unique part of the ambiance of what is truly Longboat Key! You are throwing away a diamond in the rough, but it could still be saved with your help! Please reconsider your decision and do the right thing!
Kathy & Steve Palmer
Longboat Key
Cleanup status
To: Longboat Key Commission
For several months this tree stump has remained outside of the Town water tower on LBK, an unsightly reminder of Hurricane Milton.
Charles Lynch
Longboat Key
Cleanup status
To: Longboat Key Commission
Can you tell me when this is scheduled to be removed? Thank you.
Charles Lynch
Longboat Key
Suncoast Waterkeeper Weekly Review
To: Longboat Key Commission, Sarasota City Commission
Thanks for the detailed summary. It has been a fairly recent development that FDEP now has two criteria for “fecal coliform bacteria” for Class 2 waters, which is the designation for shellfish harvesting areas. As you detail below, the Class 2 standard for enterococci is the same as the Class 3 marine standard. Most of upper Sarasota Bay, and all of Palma Sola Bay is Class 2 waters – which used to have FIB criteria that were for “fecal coliform bacteria” which not many people were sampling.
But now, the shellfish harvesting waters criteria for FIBs for enterococci is the same as the standard for Class 3 marine waters. I’m not sure that’s a great idea, as shellfish harvesting areas – places where shellfish could theoretically be consumed – should have lower levels of FIBs then even bathing beaches. I assume that Class 2 criteria for fecal coliforms (which are much lower) would still need to be met, but that this was an approach to be able to look at FIB levels using the variables people are measuring?
One last thing, since pretty much nobody samples more than 10 times in a month, then the default standard for impairments for Class 3 marine (and now Class 2) waters is the 10th percentile value of 130 /100 ml. The logic that FDEP has used in the past is that if you have one value per month – or four – a single value higher than 130 is enough for the 10th percentile value to be exceeded.
Dave Tomasko
Executive Director
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
Suncoast Waterkeeper Sampling Results for Feb. 11
To: Longboat Key Commission, Sarasota City Commission
On February 11, the enterococci survey was carried out during an incoming tide. There were no horses at Palma Sola Bay during sample collection.
The results for sites sampled in Manatee County are as follows:
· Longboat Key Bayfront Park (bay side): 10 #/100 mL
· Town of Longboat Key Boat Ramp: 63 #/100 mL
· Herb Dolan Park: 135 #/100 mL
· Palma Sola Causeway North: 10 #/100 mL
· Palmetto Bridge: 121 #/100 mL
· Emerson Point: 10 #/100 mL
· Terra Ceia Bay: 86 #/100 mL
Any count exceeding 71 is considered unsafe for swimming, indicating a potential health concern. The standard for enterococci in Class II and Class III Marine waters is “MPN or MF counts shall not exceed a monthly geometric mean of 35 nor exceed the Ten Percent Threshold Value (TPTV) of 130 in 10% or more of the samples during any 30-day period. Monthly geometric means shall be based on a minimum of 10 samples taken over a 30-day period,” (62-302.500 F.A.C.). The two Longboat Key sites are located in Class II waters (https://geodata.dep.state.fl.us/datasets/FDEP::surface-water-class-boundaries-areas/explore?location=27.336358%2C-82.433979%2C10.00)
We are committed to bringing these critical issues to your attention and believe your active involvement is crucial. The official reports for this week’s sampling activities, courtesy of Benchmark Enviroanalytical, are attached to this email. We want to encourage you to direct all questions, suggestions for additional analysis, and feedback to Dr. Abbey Tyrna at Executivedirector@suncoastwaterkeeper.org and Pia Ronquillo-See at waterquality@suncoastwaterkeeper.org. Your input is invaluable in our collective efforts to address these water quality issues.
Suncoast Waterkeeper
Sarasota
Accessory dwelling unit
To: Sarasota City Attorney Robert Fournier
Can we discuss this tomorrow during a break from the Commission meeting, perhaps at lunch or after the meeting is over?
Jen Ahearn-Koch
City Commissioner
City of Sarasota
Accessory dwelling unit
To: Sarasota City Attorney Robert Fournier
Thank you for your response. It’s my understanding that you will be retiring at the end of this month. I appreciate your attention on these questions at what is likely a very busy time for you. We have truly valued your understanding of the past and present development rules for ADUs in the City, and how the 2021 ordinance changes of the have proven more onerous than intended for neighborhoods like Laurel Park. As you may recall, the changes have resulted at times with diminished rights or undue burden on our two properties in Laurel Park where ADUs were a previously allowed development right and an important tool for historic preservation.
I understand that County determinations are outside your control. Below I outline the interpretations, guidance and actions by City staff that have resulted in the County assessing a full impact fee of >$7,000 on our ADU (in addition to the >$9,000 fees we paid the City for utilities, etc).
Last year we applied for one permit for the restoration of the 1920s cottage at 300 S Osprey, including the simultaneous construction of an ADU. In response, the City informed us that we were required to split the permit into two separate permits even though we are working on one parcel at the same time. We were never able to understand why we were required to split the permit but nonetheless “followed orders” and did so (incurring additional permit fees).
We were never informed that splitting the permit would result in the County assessing the ADU as a standalone new Dwelling Unit with full impact fees which are amounting to >$100/sq ft of the ADU.
When I spoke with City staff, they described that typically an ADU is permitted at the same time as a primary home and the combined square footage is provided to the County for the assessment of one impact fee. While our home is not new, it is clear that there is an interpretation the City uses for calculating ADUs as “additions” not independent dwelling units that the County has agreed to, and the County is not assessing TWO impact fees on parcels where a new main home (dwelling unit) and a new ADU are being built on a parcel. In other words, the historic homeowner is paying twice the impact fee of a wholly new development. And, again, at no time was this explained to us during the permit application process.
In talking with staff at the City, it is clear that there remains confusion of the pre-existing, vested development rights for ADUs in Laurel Park. These are the rights that we relied on in purchasing the property and planning/budgeting for restoring and preserving the historic cottage that seem to be diminished with each new update and interpretation of the code.
When I spoke with City staff about the undue burden of advising the County that it was appropriate to interpret an Accessory DU (limited to 650sq ft) as a full DU in assessing their impact fees, they explained that they worked with the County whereby the County was willing to waive the impact fee if we signed the Affordable Housing waiver. The waiver is not supposed apply to Laurel Park.
City staff also stated that Laurel Park ADUs weren’t allowed to have kitchens prior to the new July 2021 ordinance. This is incorrect. In fact assurances were made that the new ordinance would not diminish or change the pre-existing ADU development rights. This was important as ADUs had become an important tool for preservation of historic cottages in the historically designated neighborhoods.
Since the County code does not include Accessory Dwelling Units as a defined structure in the County zoning ordinance, the County relied on the City to interpret and apply impact fee assessments for ADUs. My ask is that the City urgently evaluate their interpretations of the City ADU code and how this informs the guidance and agreements with the County in assessing impact fees. I am very concerned that residents we will lose your extensive knowledge on this topic upon your retirement.
Michelle van Deventer
Sarasota
Accessory dwelling unit
To: Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch
This is to acknowledge my receipt of your voicemail yesterday. Unfortunately, I have to say that I do not have any control or influence over county decisions related to collection of impact fees. The County does have an Impact Fee Administrator, so possibly there might be someone in that office who could assist. If there are any concerns about a city regulation, just let me know and I can contact you next week when I am back in the office.
Robert M. Fournier
City Attorney
City of Sarasota
Accessory dwelling unit
To: Sarasota City Building Official Larry Murphy
Thank you for talking with me today. I located the Commission meeting from February 22, 2022 during which the 2021 accessory dwelling unit ordinance and subsequent diminished rights for the historic neighborhoods that already had ADU development rights were discussed. Mr. Fournier’s memo is here and I have copied him:
To restate my concern, the County does not have a definition in their zoning code for Accessory Dwelling Units. It has accessory uses (no kitchen) and Dwelling Units. By interpreting ADU = dwelling unit, and not acknowledging the square footage restrictions that apply to ADUs, or that they are within the same parcel as existing dwelling units (who previously were assessed fees), it places an undue burden on historic neighborhoods and owners seeking to build ADUs behind their historic cottages.
I ask that this interpretation of the code receive additional scrutiny. If ADUs are subject to much stricter size limits than Dwelling Units, they should not be interpreted as equal in assessing impact fees. Doing so under the new (much higher) impact fees the City and County assess places an unfair and undue burden on historic property owners in the City.
Thank you for consideration.
Michelle van Deventer
Sarasota
Accessory dwelling unit
To: Paul And Michelle van Deventer
Thank you for reaching out.
Could you please provide a phone number so that I can give you a call back to discuss your ADU project?
Sherry Stine
Impact Fee Administrator Planning and Development Services
City of Sarasota
Accessory dwelling unit
To: Sarasota City Commission
We recently received notice of impact fees in excess of $6K on the accessory dwelling unit we’ve built behind our historic home in Laurel Park. We are restoring and rehabilitating the historic home at the same time as we are building the garage with granny flat, as allowable under the code in place when we purchased the property and began planning to restore.
The City had demanded that we split the two projects into two permits despite the work happening concurrently on one parcel. This caused additional permit fees to be assessed and the reason for requiring separate permits remains a mystery to us but we followed the rules and paid all additional permit, utility fees, etc. as assessed.
It is important to note that we are not developers. We are private citizens working to restore and preserve a historic home in a historically designated neighborhood. The impact fees amounting to ~$100/sq ft of living space are a significant burden.
We are extremely anxious to understand how and why these fees are being imposed on us. We believe this could have an incredible chill effect on preservation in our neighborhood and historic preservation in Sarasota City and County. Please advise who we can speak with and note that it is very time sensitive.
Michelle and Paul van Deventer
Sarasota
