When a development project complies with Sarasota’s zoning and building codes, it can either be approved administratively (“by right”) — signed off by staff without a public vote — or go through public hearings before the Planning Board and/or City Commission, where residents can comment and the body votes. Many cities reserve hearings for selected, typically larger projects while approving smaller compliant ones administratively. (Mandatory community workshops, where the applicant presents to neighbors, are a separate earlier step that can accompany either path.)

With that in mind: Do you support allowing significant downtown development projects that meet Sarasota’s zoning and building codes to be approved administratively (approval by right), or should they be required to go through public hearings before the Planning Board and/or City Commission?

• Strongly support administrative approval/approval by right
• Somewhat support administrative approval/approval by right
• Strongly prefer public hearings for all projects and approval by the Planning Board and/or City Commission
• Prefer public hearings for some projects and approval by the Planning Board and/or City Commission
• Unsure

Take The Poll