Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association City Events

Three Joint Commission Meetings Address Regional Issues

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 01:31:14 GMT

During September and October, three joint meetings involving the Sarasota City Commission, Sarasota County Commission, and Longboat Key Town Commission have underscored the growing importance of regional cooperation.

September 18 — Sarasota City and Sarasota County Commissions
October 7 — Sarasota City and Longboat Key Town Commissions
October 14 — Longboat Key Town and Sarasota County Commissions

For downtown Sarasota, these discussions are increasingly important. Transportation, stormwater, infrastructure, economic vitality, arts and culture, and many other quality-of-life issues do not stop at municipal boundaries.

Whatever happens with Amendment 3, the City, County and neighboring communities will continue to share many of the same challenges and opportunities. In many respects, we are in this together.

There are also new opportunities for cooperation. Both Sarasota and Longboat Key have new city managers, bringing fresh perspectives to longstanding regional issues. At the same time, there is increasing interest in expanded public transportation options, including microtransit and, over the longer term, the possibility of a water taxi connecting key destinations.

These discussions come on top of the continuing regional conversation about the quality-of-life and economic benefits of a new performing arts center and a new home for the Sarasota Orchestra (see related article). While these major cultural investments would be centered in Sarasota, their audiences, economic impact and importance to the region would extend well beyond the city limits.

As downtown continues to grow, stronger cooperation among the City, County and neighboring communities will become increasingly important. These recent joint meetings are useful steps toward recognizing that many of the issues shaping downtown Sarasota are, in fact, regional issues.

Sarasota's Sound Ordinance Moves Forward

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 01:30:57 GMT

The City Commission held a special meeting on September 21 to consider revisions to Sarasota's sound ordinance, following extensive work by the City's acoustical consultants and considerable public input.

A citywide survey attracted approximately 1,500 responses, demonstrating the importance of this issue to residents and businesses.

The Commission addressed several important matters, including sound measurement procedures, enforcement provisions, and excessive vehicle noise. Among the issues discussed were allowing enforcement without requiring an individual citizen complaint and addressing excessively loud vehicle exhaust and engine revving.

As downtown continues to grow, achieving a reasonable balance between an active downtown environment and residents' quality of life remains an important consideration.

Further action on the ordinance and its enforcement provisions will be important to residents and businesses throughout the city.

Downtown Sarasota: A Strong Record of Civic Participation

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 01:30:40 GMT

Downtown Sarasota has a strong tradition of civic participation, and voting is an important part of it.

In the 2024 General Election, Precincts 203, 205 and 209, covering much of downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, recorded combined voter turnout of approximately 86.6%, compared with 84.25% countywide.

That pattern continued in the August 2026 primary, when the same three precincts recorded turnout of approximately 40.4%, compared with 33.28% countywide. Precinct 209 ranked third among Sarasota County's 98 precincts, with Precincts 203 and 205 also well above the county average.

Our elected officials know that downtown residents participate, whether by voting, responding to City surveys, attending public meetings or becoming involved in neighborhood issues.

With the November 3 general election approaching, DSCA encourages residents to become informed about the candidates and ballot measures, consider the issues most important to them, and vote.

On September 16, the DSCA Board unanimously adopted a resolution recommending a NO vote on Florida Amendment 3, citing concerns about the potential long-term effects on funding for essential municipal services, particularly those affecting public health and safety. The Board also unanimously supported two Sarasota County conservation ballot questions.

Read the DSCA Board's September Resolution

Whatever your views on the candidates and ballot measures, downtown's tradition of civic participation is worth continuing.

City Manager Karie Friling Releases Her First 100-Day Report

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 01:30:03 GMT

Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling has released her first 100-Day Report, offering a comprehensive look at what she has learned since taking office, actions already underway, and her priorities for the months and years ahead.

During her first 100 days, Friling participated in more than 350 meetings and conversations with City employees, Commissioners, neighborhood associations, business leaders, and community organizations.

The 23-page report, titled From Listening to Action, addresses a broad range of issues important to Sarasota residents, including financial management, stormwater and infrastructure, parks and open space, public safety, economic development, and community engagement.

Of particular interest to downtown residents are her recommendations for a more proactive economic development program, improved coordination of City planning functions, stronger neighborhood engagement, and a new City Strategic Plan built around a 25-year vision and five-year implementation program.

Friling also addresses the financial uncertainty surrounding Amendment 3, the demands placed on City employees following the 2024 hurricanes, and recommendations for improving City Commission procedures and governance.

With downtown Sarasota continuing to experience significant population growth and increasing residential density, the City’s strategic planning process will be particularly important. The DSCA expects to be actively engaged in that process, helping ensure that downtown residents’ perspectives are considered as the City establishes its long-term priorities.

We encourage residents to review the report for a better understanding of the direction of City government and the opportunities ahead.

Read City Manager Friling’s Full 100-Day Report — October 2026

Sarasota City Manager Issues First 100 Days Report

Board Adopts Position on Amendment 3 and Two County Conservation Questions

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 01:29:05 GMT

On September 16, the DSCA Board of Directors unanimously adopted a resolution recommending a NO vote on Florida Amendment 3. DSCA doesn’t usually take positions on ballot measures; however, the potential impact of these matters, especially state Amendment 3, on downtown residents is consequential.

Amendment 3 would significantly increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes, reduce the annual assessment-increase cap on non-homesteaded property from 10 percent to 5 percent, and make other changes affecting local property-tax revenues and their use.

The Board recognizes the legitimate concern about Florida’s property-tax burden and the importance of meaningful relief for homeowners. Its concern is not with that goal, but with the mechanism proposed and its potential longer-term effect on the financial capacity and flexibility of local governments.

For DSCA, the central concern is the City’s ability to continue providing essential services affecting the health and safety of residents, along with the basic municipal services that support the quality of life downtown.

The potential financial effect is significant. City officials have estimated that Amendment 3 could reduce Sarasota property-tax revenue by approximately $5.5 million annually by fiscal year 2029.

The Board was also concerned about provisions governing how counties and municipalities may use property-tax revenues and about making these changes through the Florida Constitution.

At the same meeting, the Board unanimously supported the two Sarasota County conservation questions on the November ballot. One would continue the existing Environmentally Sensitive Lands and Parkland Program tax through 2049; the second would authorize bonding to support future conservation-land acquisitions.

More information about Sarasota County’s Land Acquisition and Management Program is available here.

The Board viewed continued protection of environmentally sensitive lands and parkland as consistent with DSCA’s longstanding interest in responsible growth, the environment and the quality of life of Sarasota residents.

After considering these issues, the Board concluded that they were sufficiently important and directly related to DSCA’s purpose to warrant taking a position.

We recognize that DSCA members will have differing views and encourage everyone to review the ballot questions and make their own decisions when voting.

Read the full DSCA resolution, including the Board’s rationale and supporting information, here.

Downtown Master Plan / Strategic Plan

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 01:28:16 GMT

The City has paused the Downtown Master Plan update and is now budgeting for a broader citywide strategic plan.

Some may say, in hindsight, the cart came before the horse. The new direction is to first answer the bigger question: What do we want Sarasota to become? A future Downtown Master Plan would then follow from that broader vision.

City Manager Karie Friling will set the stage for the strategic planning effort, with more discussion expected soon on goals, staff responsibilities, process and timing.

Paused 'Generational' City Projects Subject To Commission Review

A Question — What Do You Think?

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 01:17:15 GMT

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

DSCA Accepts FPZA Award for Overtown Square

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 01:16:35 GMT

On May 29, DSCA accepted a Grassroots/Non-profit Initiative Award from the Florida Planning and Zoning Association for the Overtown Square Pocket Park project in the Rosemary District.

The award recognizes a long-running community effort that began with DSCA’s early work in 2015 to identify the need for more public green space in the rapidly growing Rosemary District. DSCA members walked the neighborhood, reviewed city planning documents, photographed possible sites, and developed an initial citizen-led Pocket Parks in Rosemary District proposal. That proposal was presented to the City’s Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Board in 2015 and later submitted to the City Commission in 2016.

As the effort moved forward, the Rosemary District Association took a major leadership role in expanding neighborhood participation, supporting fundraising, and working with the City and other partners to help move the project from concept to reality. The City of Sarasota, RDA, Friends of Rosemary Park, DreamLarge, Kimley-Horn, RADD, residents, donors, and volunteers all contributed to the final result.

Completed in 2024, Overtown Square now provides seating, landscaping, pedestrian connections, and a welcoming public gathering space in one of downtown’s fastest-growing neighborhoods.

The project is a reminder that neighborhood organizations can help create real and lasting public improvements. It also shows the value of persistence, private support, and constructive cooperation with City government.

DSCA Briefing Book on Downtown Sarasota

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 01:15:45 GMT

With recent changes in City staff leadership, including the arrival of new City Manager Karie Friling, DSCA prepared a knowledge book on Downtown Sarasota. The purpose was to provide City leadership with a clear resident and neighborhood perspective on Downtown Sarasota: where we are, how quickly downtown is changing, and the issues that will require continued City attention. This 2026 Downtown Briefing was also shared with DSCA members as a member benefit. The package included:

A 50-page Briefing Book covering major downtown topics, trends, current issues, and policy considerations;
A separate Appendix with supporting data, charts, maps, and reference materials

New City Manager Karie Friling to Speak at July 1 DSCA Board Meeting

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 01:15:09 GMT

DSCA is pleased to welcome new City Manager Karie Friling as guest speaker at the July 1 DSCA Board meeting.

Her visit comes at an important time for Downtown Sarasota. The city is dealing with continued downtown growth, major capital decisions, infrastructure needs, mobility and parking issues, sound and quality-of-life concerns, Bay Park implementation, possible property tax reform, and the future direction of downtown planning.

DSCA looks forward to a constructive conversation with Ms. Friling and the opportunity to share a downtown resident and neighborhood perspective.

Property Tax Reform and City Financial Uncertainty

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Possible statewide property tax reform has added uncertainty to city budgeting and long-term capital planning. For background, see this recent Your Observer article.

That uncertainty does not eliminate the need to plan. In many ways, it makes planning more important. The city will need to evaluate service levels, infrastructure, capital projects, public safety, mobility, resilience, and quality-of-life investments with a clear understanding of priorities and financial capacity.

DSCA will continue to monitor this issue because the city’s long-term financial position directly affects downtown residents, city services, and the quality of life in Downtown Sarasota.

Welcome To Sarasota: City Manager Karie Friling

Fri, 22 May 2026 01:22:44 GMT

The time is almost here. Sarasota’s incoming City Manager, Karie Friling, is scheduled to begin on May 29.

Ms. Friling is already getting familiar with the community and the issues facing the city. She attended the May 4 CCNA meeting, offered remarks to those in attendance, and has also been present at a recent City Commission meeting.

In a Your Observer interview published this month, Ms. Friling said she has been reviewing documents and meeting with selected city staff before her official start date. DSCA welcomes Ms. Friling to Sarasota and looks forward to working with her. DSCA also plans to invite her to an upcoming board meeting as a guest speaker.

DSCA encourages members to read the Your Observer interview, particularly her comments about community engagement as she settles into the role.

New City Manager Calls Career in Public Service 'Most Noble of Professions'

As we welcome Ms. Friling as Sarasota’s new City Manager, we would be remiss if we did not also recognize the contributions of Pat Robinson, who is retiring from the City of Sarasota after many years of public service.

DSCA and many of our members have enjoyed working with Pat in his city roles, including as Deputy City Manager and Public Safety Director. We have appreciated his accessibility, practical approach, and deep knowledge of city operations.

We also want to recognize Pat’s able leadership during and after the 2024 storms, when steady coordination and clear decision-making mattered greatly to downtown residents and businesses.

While Pat is leaving city government, he is not stepping away from public safety work. He will become Director of SafeSRQ, the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee’s community security initiative. DSCA thanks Pat for his service to the city and wish him continued success in this next role.

️Budget Town Halls: Your Voice Matters

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:10:35 GMT

DSCA has helped the City of Sarasota make the budget process more transparent—and the tradition continues! Two upcoming Budget Town Halls give residents a chance to learn, ask questions, and see how city projects are prioritized.

Mark Your Calendars:

May 5, 2026 – First Budget Town Hall
August 5, 2026 – Second Town Hall (just before final budget approval)

Both sessions start at 5:30 PM. These meetings are your opportunity to get a clear view of the City’s plans—including Capital Improvement Program projects, utilities, and public parking—and provide meaningful input.

Stay informed. Get involved. Make your voice heard!

Special Events Ordinance Advances as Lower Noise Limits Delayed Until May 1

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:10:07 GMT

The third “first reading” of the revised special events ordinance is scheduled for April 20. While the next draft has not yet been released, it is expected to include enforcement language as directed by the City Commission.

We recently learned that changes to maximum decibel levels at special events will not take effect until May 1st, even though the Interim City Manager’s directed staff to lower the levels back on November 17, 2025. The maximum decibel level for downtown special events should be lowered from 100 db to 85 dBA / 90 dBC. The dBA reflects general sound levels, while dBC reflect bass or low frequency sound.

Sarasota Launches Sound Study as Ordinance Review Faces Delays

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:09:47 GMT

On March 23, the City Commission hired Siebein Associates, an acoustics consulting firm, to review Sarasota’s sound levels in the following areas: Downtown, Newtown, the Sarasota High School neighborhood, and St. Armands. In addition, issues involving street performers and loud vehicles will also be studied. This effort will cost between $175,000 and $250,000.

On April 6, the Commission asked the City Attorney, Joe Polzak, to direct the consultants to begin a near-term review of the draft sound ordinance, which was prepared by former City Attorney Bob Fournier. Various sound measurements—which may take several months—can proceed concurrently. The goal is to avoid delaying needed changes such as the plainly audible standard and the ban on motor vehicle revving.

Nonetheless, staff now indicates the current sound ordinance draft may not be reviewed until August. Sound measurements are scheduled from May through August, a traditionally slow period. Click here to read more.

New City Manager - Karie Friling

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:08:08 GMT

Great news for downtown Sarasota — Karie Friling has been unanimously confirmed as our next City Manager. She comes with strong municipal credentials, but what stood out during the selection process was her reputation for accessibility and genuinely listening to constituents. She's currently wrapping up her role as Executive Director of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, IL, and is already in contact with City Hall staff on current priorities. Her official start date is May 29 — though she may well be spotted around town before then as she settles in. We look forward to welcoming her. Click here to read more.

Sarasota's Long City Manager Search Comes to an End

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 21:57:25 GMT

After 17 months and three interim city managers following Marlon Brown's October 2024 retirement, Sarasota has unanimously selected Karie Friling as its next city manager — and its first woman to hold the post. Five finalists visited the city February 23-24 for a two-day process that included a community meet-and-greet, with three DSCA board members participating in the interviews. The commission wasted no time, voting unanimously on February 27. Interim city manager Jennifer Jorgensen, who also serves as Director of Government Affairs, expects her tenure in the role to be a quite short one.

Lengthy Search Concludes For New Sarasota City Manager

A Note on Interim City Manager Dave Bullock

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:56:46 GMT

Interim City Manager Dave Bullock will conclude his service to the City of Sarasota on March 6, wrapping up approximately 10 months in the role.

On behalf of DSCA, we would like to express our appreciation for Dave’s leadership. He never felt like an “interim.” He brought a steady hand, thoughtful leadership, and genuine engagement to the position. Many share the same sentiment, whether working closely with him or interacting briefly. We wish him continued success in his next chapter.

With Dave’s departure, Jennifer Jorgensen, currently the City’s Director of Government Affairs, will step in as Interim City Manager to ensure continuity while the search for a permanent City Manager continues. By all accounts, the transition is expected to be smooth and relatively short.

Five Finalists. One Open House. Your Chance to Weigh In on Who Runs Sarasota.

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:55:48 GMT

Here's something genuinely cool happening in your city: Sarasota is in the final stretch of selecting its next City Manager, and you're invited to come meet them, get a feel for who they are, and share your thoughts.

Starting with 88 applicants back in December, the City Commission has narrowed the field to five finalists. The public gets a chance to meet them in person at an Open House on Monday, February 23, 5:30–8:00 p.m. at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex. Come. Ask questions. Form an opinion. This is exactly the kind of civic process that doesn't get enough attention — and your voice matters here. The Commission is expected to make an offer by February 27, so this is your moment.

Review the finalists and their materials here.

City Manager Search Moving Forward

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 22:55:13 GMT

The search for Sarasota’s permanent city manager is moving ahead with Sumter Local Government Consulting. The City Commission has narrowed the field from 87 initial applicants to 42 semifinalists.

The consultant will conduct video interviews with the semifinalists. Commissioners will review those interviews individually. At a special meeting on February 10, the commission plans to select approximately six finalists and invite them to Sarasota for in-person interviews.

The in-person process is expected to include one-on-one sessions with each commissioner, meetings with the City’s leadership team, a city tour, full commission interviews, and a public open house. A final selection will require a supermajority vote (four commissioners).

The timeline matters because Interim City Manager Dave Bullock is scheduled to depart March 6, making this the City’s second interim manager since Marlon Brown’s retirement in October 2024.

More: Your Observer coverage (Jan. 15, 2026)

Sarasota prioritizes 10 transportation projects for decades ahead

Parsons Marketing Concepts — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 18:03:15 GMT

Sarasota unveils its ambitious transportation vision for the coming decades with the 2024 Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization draft. The top 10 priorities under the Sarasota In Motion master plan include expanding the city's trail network, enhancing east-west corridors, extending the North Legacy Trail, implementing Shade Avenue as a complete street, improving core route transit, constructing a roundabout at Cocoanut Avenue and Second Street, transforming Fruitville Road and Main Street, upgrading Ringling Causeway and Coon Key bridges, and redesigning the Boulevard of the Arts. These projects, set for completion by 2045, have the potential to revolutionize how residents navigate Sarasota. Explore the detailed plans and contribute to the city's future transportation landscape. Read more: https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2024/jan/25/sarasota-transportation-projects-decades-ahead/

In defining bars and clubs, city asks: Do restaurants need kitchens?

Parsons Marketing Concepts — Fri, 26 Jan 2024 17:59:05 GMT

The Sarasota City Commission grapples with proposed zoning changes for downtown establishments, seeking to redefine the distinctions between restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. The amendments aim to prevent potential misclassifications and ensure clarity in operations, hours, and outdoor seating. Notably, the debate revolves around Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch's stance on requiring an on-site kitchen for a venue to be classified as a restaurant and her concerns about defining outdoor bars based on activity rather than the location of the bar counter. Read more about the proposed changes and their potential impact on downtown establishments: https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2024/jan/20/defining-bars-clubs-restaurants-city-amendment/

City of Sarasota considers new licensing procedures for private-towing companies

Parsons Marketing Concepts — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 17:41:27 GMT

Sarasota City Commissioners have initiated discussions on the towing of vehicles from private parking lots in the city. This comes after numerous complaints from people who have had their cars towed from business lots. According to Sarasota Parking General Manager, Broxton Harvey, many of the complaints suggest poor signage or unfair parking restrictions. As such, the commission is exploring ways to address these concerns and ensure that towing activities are carried out in a fair and reasonable manner. While no decisions have been made yet, the discussions are a positive step in the right direction towards resolving this issue. Read full article here.

Bobby Jones Golf Club offers City Residents Quadruple Discounts

Parsons Marketing Concepts — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 17:37:28 GMT

Residents of the City of Sarasota can now enjoy a quadrupled discount at Bobby Jones Golf Club. Additionally, they have the privilege to book tee times up to 14 days in advance. To avail this benefit, City of Sarasota residents should complete the verification form provided below and submit the required documents via email or traditional mail (refer to the form for further instructions). Read more from The Observer here.

Download the verification form here.

Situated in Bobby Jones Golf Club, the Nature Park offers 90 acres of magnificent urban green space. It offers various amenities including cycling paths, a historic park, a leashed dog area, parking, restrooms, trails, a walking path, and a water feature. Learn more by visiting here.

Article courtesy of the Observer:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2023/nov/22/resident-golfers-discount-quadrupled-bobby-jones/

Sarasota wrestles with definitions of drinking, dining establishments

Parsons Marketing Concepts — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 17:26:44 GMT

A proposed zoning amendment would, in theory, clarify the definitions of restaurants, nightclubs, bars, etc. to establish different rules under which each may operate.

After gaveling in the Sarasota City Commission’s Dec. 5 workshop to discuss staff-proposed zoning text amendments for dining and drinking establishments in the downtown zoning districts, Mayor Liz Alpert suggested first tackling what she thought would be the easiest of the definitions — restaurants

Rather than serving as the appetizer, it turned out to be a full-course meal as commissioners got bogged down in a debate over whether a dining room that brings in prepared food from off-site — or a “ghost kitchen” — is really a restaurant.

Planning Director Steven Cover, City Attorney Robert Fournier and City Manager Marlon Brown attempted to interject that where the food comes from and how the public perceives that is not germane to how a restaurant is licensed relative to alcohol sales, but that did not dampen the debate.

“All they know is they go in, they order food, they get food,” Alpert said. "I don't think they care whether it's prepared on-site or off-site, so we make it way too convoluted and complicated by adding that you can't call yourself a restaurant because you bring in food because the public doesn't care.”

Vice Mayor Jen Ahearn-Koch disagreed.

What does the draft ZTA cover?

In summary, the draft ZTAs cover:

Modified definitions: Amend definitions for bars, outdoor bars, nightclubs and bottle clubs. The reason for the change is to amend existing definitions to better regulate evolving uses and update description of use categories accordingly.
Primary uses: Modify and create primary use tables and use standards for bars, outdoor bars, and nightclubs to allow them in certain zone districts. Reasons for the change are to update primary use charts for commercial, production intensive, special purpose and downtown zone districts and create additional use standards for new uses based on modified definitions.
Additional use standards: Apply additional use standards for outdoor seating and other outdoor areas of establishments to uses including, but not limited to, restaurants, bars, outdoor bars, nightclubs, brewpubs, microbreweries, craft distilleries and wineries. The purpose is to update standards to require outdoor seating and other areas of outdoor establishments to meet the same regulations required for outdoor areas of restaurants.
Use standards for sale of alcoholic beverages: Separation requirement for bars and nightclubs from a school or church/synagogue/sanctuary, a property residentially zoned, or another bar, outdoor bar, nightclub, or alcoholic beverage store within existing Downtown Exemption Area and expansion of exemption area. The purpose is to update separation requirement and expand exemption area to include redeveloping downtown commercial areas north of Fruitville Road and east of U.S. 301.
Non-residential accessory uses, buildings and structures: Some accessory uses require additional standards and should be designed to minimize any adverse impact on adjacent properties. The purpose is to require outdoor bars that are accessory to restaurants, hotels/motels and private clubs to be allowed by minor conditional use.

“I think they do care. I think the industry cares. I think the businesses care,” Ahearn-Koch said. "If you walk into a restaurant and you sit down they say the only thing we serve is popcorn and olives, well you're not a restaurant and then they say, ‘No, we are because we went to Publix and we bought it, and here it is and this is our menu.’”

Alpert responded, “If the menu is popcorn and olives nobody's going to think that's a restaurant where they can order a meal. I just think that the public doesn't really care where the food comes from.”

Ahearn-Koch cited her example that the same definitions should not apply across the board. Hers was a consumer-facing argument that she also applied to fairness to restaurants that invest in kitchen equipment and food preparation personnel versus a dining room that imports food from a food truck or a commissary kitchen.

“The point of doing all this was to add clarity to what's the difference between a nightclub and a restaurant and a bar, and if we start out by having a restaurant that's not really a restaurant, people will walk in and think it's one thing and it's another,” Ahearn-Koch said. “Just like with the nightclub/restaurant situation where the real intention was a restaurant and (was) being called a nightclub. That causes massive confusion and unnecessary conflict, and what we should try to avoid is to create more confusion.”

Staff countered that Ahearn-Koch’s argument was outside the scope of the proposed ZTA, which is intended to clarify definitions of and draw contrasts between restaurants, nightclubs, bars, outdoor bars and bottle clubs and the different rules under which they may operate. Currently, those are determined by the state alcohol licensing permits that are inconsistent with the city’s definitions.

The initiative in part came about because of complaints that a small number of restaurants operate more like nightclubs after 10 p.m.

“There is this assumption from some the feedback we received that that any future restaurants or bars are going to be bad. That's simply not true," Cover said. "When we presented this to discuss earlier in the process, they indicated that they have no problems with 95% of the bars and bars and restaurants that are in downtown. There are only a select few that are really a concern.”

Recommendations in the ZTA include prohibiting establishments from opening doors or glass walls after hours and pumping amplified sound into the street.

Simply more complicated

What began as an attempt to simplify the city’s code because some restaurants operate as nightclubs and vice-versa became more complex as it worked its way through the public process and the Planning Board.

That became apparent to commissioners at its Nov. 6 regular meeting when, rather than voting on the ZTA decided to schedule the workshop for further discussion. As they debated what does or does not constitute an outdoor bar — more specifically an outdoor rooftop bar — and how their operations may or may not the disruptive to downtown residents, it became apparent the planning staff has more work to do before the matter comes back before the commission in January.

El Melvin on Main Street has in the past opened its folding glass doors late at night, drawing complaints from nearby residents of loud music. That practice would be classified as a nightclub under proposed zoning changes. Photo by Andrew Warfield

“I'm looking at the Oxford Dictionary and a 'restaurant' is a place where people pay to sit and eat meals that are cooked and served on the premises,” said Commissioner Erik Arroyo. “Many restaurants would rather just have a food truck in the back and work in conjunction with each other. I think simplification is the key, but also maybe we can expand the definition of a restaurant.”

Planning General Manager Ryan Chapdelain said staff perhaps missed the mark in its attempt at clarity while defining a restaurant.

“Maybe it's not working,” he said. “It wasn't a major issue before. We thought we were helping to clarify but if it's that's not working, we could just take it out. We haven’t really had issues with the restaurant definition. Again, we're just trying to add a little bit of clarity.”

Prior to moving on to discussing rooftop bars and an option to expand the exemption zone for bars and restaurants into emerging areas on the edge of downtown, Alpert summarized, “And I thought restaurants was going to be the easy one.”

What the zoning text amendment isn't

Sarasota Planning Director Steven Cover started the zoning text amendment workshop with a monologue about what the proposed redefinitions of restaurants, nightclubs, outdoor bars, rooftop bars and bottle clubs is not.

He said:

“It's not about public sidewalks or sidewalk cafe activity.”

“It's not about smoking or public sidewalk on our public sidewalks.”

“It's not about special events in the public right of way.”

“And particularly, it's not about noise. This is the one thing that keeps coming up over and over again. It has nothing to do with noise, has nothing to do with decibel readings. And it has nothing to do with enforcement of those decimal readings. I just wanted to make that clear.”

Cover also took exception to a characterization distributed via email that Sarasota is among the most dangerous cities in the state with regard to deaths by DUI, and that any regulation that may be perceived to relax permitting for alcohol service will only exacerbate the problem.

During the workshop, Cover produced data to refute that assertion.

"This is a report we received from our police department indicating that over the last four years, we've only had four total fatal crashes resulting from DUIs, and this year we have had zero, he said. "So I have to say if we're the most dangerous city in the state, this must be an awfully safe state.”

According to the Sarasota Police Department, out of 46 traffic fatalities from Jan. 1, 2020 through Nov. 28, 2023, four were from crashes involving DUIs; and out of 14 deaths through November of this year, none involved drunk driving.

What it is

According to the city of Sarasota planning staff, the zoning text amendments:

Clarify definition and uses for bars, outdoor bars and nightclubs. Tying definitions to state licensing is not a reliable way to determine how an establishment will operate, which has resulted in establishments being classified as nightclubs that do not operate as such while those classified as restaurants operate as nightclubs into the evening.
Regulate components of activities based on the new definitions and the intensity of the establishment including amplified entertainment and operating hours.
Clarifies and expands existing additional use standards to apply to outdoor areas of alcohol-related establishments.

Article courtesy of The Observer, submitted 12/14/2023
Author: Andrew Warfield

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2023/dec/14/sarasota-definitions-drinking-dining-establishments/

Street Closure Approval Process

Parsons Marketing Concepts — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 17:24:29 GMT

DSCA Comments on City of Sarasota Events Street Closure Approval Policy

On March 20, 2017, the City Commission discussed a proposal from the City Attorney for Ordinance 17-5207, which would have provided new guidelines for who gets to vote to approve street closures related to events in Downtown Sarasota. The background material related to that draft ordinance proposal can be found here:

http://sarasota.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=14&clip_id=8993&meta_id=500615

The public hearing on the proposed ordinance options concluded as follows:

Mayor Shaw noted Commission consensus for the City Attorney’s Office to consult with Staff after they have gathered input and information from the stakeholders and to come back before the Commission to present a report at a later date.

In June 2017, DSCA asked its member condos to provide comments on a proposal for a solution to the City Events Street Closure Approval process. Those comments resulted in a refined proposal which was subsequently reviewed with the Downtown Sarasota Alliance (DSA), the Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association (SDMA) and the Palm Avenue Merchants Association (PAMA) to seek consensus on a proposed solution. The following is the proposal which is being submitted to City Staff:

Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association

Recommended Changes to Proposed City Ordinance 17-5207

All businesses and residential property owners whose premises are located on a street proposed for an event-related closure of between 6 and 72 hours are deemed “Affected Parties”. Concurrent with the filing of an application for street closure, all Affected Parties shall be sent through the mail a “Notice of Proposed Street Closure” setting forth the name of the event and its sponsor, the date(s), and the location and duration of the street closure. The notice will further state that Affected Parties who have opinions on the proposed closure can communicate those opinions to the City Special Events Office within 30 days of receipt of such notice and both a mailing and e-mail address will be provided for that purpose. Public comment will be a significant factor in the decision by the City to approve or deny the closure application.

Event-related street closures of any duration that prevent vehicular access, including limited vehicular access, to any residential building are prohibited under all circumstances except where 100% of the Affected Parties who are constrained by that condition have agreed to such closure.

Event-related street closures of up to 6 hours that result in limited vehicular access to any residential building are permitted provided that i) such access is managed with mechanical or electronic means, such as stop and go lights, or by an official person charged with that responsibility; or, ii) where the nature of the event is such that reasonable intermittent access is afforded without the need for active management.

Event-related street closures of between 6 and 72 hours cannot occur at any given location more frequently than twice in four consecutive weeks and twelve times in twelve consecutive months.

Download the DSCA Comments on City of Sarasota Events Street Closure Approval Policy