REMINDER: New Traffic Shift, Detour began Nov. 25 for US-41 Fruitville Road intersection

Detours began Nov. 25 for the US 41-Fruitville Road Roundabout.  The two changes involve left turns: (1) No SB US 41 to EB Fruitville Rd – Southbound US 41 traffic will not be able to turn left at Fruitville Rd.  This will be in effect throughout much of the year-long construction project. Recommended detour: EB on 10th Street then SB on Lemon Ave. to Fruitville Rd.  If you miss 10th Street, the next best opportunity to go eastbound will be Ringling Blvd. (2) No NB US 41 to WB Boulevard of the Arts – Northbound US 41 traffic to westbound Boulevard of the Arts will be restricted.  U-turns will not be permitted.  This left turn lane is expected to be restored in late January 2020. Recommended detour: WB on 10th Street then SB on Van Wezel Way to Boulevard of the Arts Additional note:  The left turn eastbound movement coming off the Ringling Bridge and Gulfstream Ave. to northbound US 41 will be reduced from three lanes to two. Electronic message boards are being strategically placed along US 41 to give drivers advance notice about the traffic changes. Beginning mid-January 2020 through July 2020, WB Fruitville Rd will be closed at Cocoanut Ave. For the latest information visit www.US41FruitvilleRoundabout.com  On the homepage, you can register to receive email updates directly into your inbox.

Sarasota in motion...

The City of Sarasota is preparing its first citywide transportation master plan, which will serve as a playbook for how the City not only invests in transportation infrastructure, but also how it achieves the community’s larger quality of life goals.  City staff are working to gather input to address major traffic and transportation issues in the City of Sarasota:

• How can streets be safer?
• How can we improve the reliability of travel time to work, particularly as we grow?
• How can we expand travel options so more people can walk, bike, or take transit?
• How do we plan for a future with autonomous vehicles and other new transportation technology?

Learn about the status of the transportation master plan by reviewing survey results, reports and presentations.  You can also view the Interactive Map (example below) to see where other persons have recorded their experience challenges in the mobility network, and where they think improvements should be prioritized.

The community is invited to learn about the Lemon Avenue Streetscape project during an open house with City of Sarasota staff Monday, Dec.17 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the SRQ Media Studio in the City Hall Annex, 1565 First Street.

NewsRelease_Lemon Ave. Streetscape Open House Set for Dec. 17..

DSCA Board authorized a letter which was sent to City Commissioners and City Staff Management on Nov. 27, 2018.

Honorable Mayor Liz Alpert & Commissioners

1565 1st Street, Room 101
Sarasota, FL 34236

Ref: Lemon Avenue Streetscape Project

Dear Mayor Alpert, & Commissioners,

The Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association (DSCA) at its November 7, 2018 Board Meeting unanimously adopted the following motion concerning the proposed improvements on Lemon Avenue.

“RESOLVED: Before the City Commission’s final approval of the Lemon Avenue Streetscape Project, the DSCA Board urges additional research by City staff to find alternative solution to removing canopy trees on Lemon Avenue; in accordance with City’s Downtown Greenspace Policy, Tree Protection Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan.”

The Board of DSCA has reviewed preliminary information (only verbal reports and a conceptual drawing appear to be publicly available) about the proposed Lemon Avenue Streetscape Project.  We are very concerned about reports that City staff are planning to remove all of the existing canopy trees (Live Oaks) along Lemon Avenue from 1^st Street to State Street, and replace them with Royal Palms.

This apparent radical change in the Lemon Avenue streetscape does not appear to be in concert with several City Commission adopted ordinances, Downtown Master Plan, Downtown Green Space Policy, and Comprehensive Plan.  The Downtown Green Space Policy(attached – adopted Feb. 7, 2011) specifically identified the priority of canopy trees over palm trees.

DSCA-CityCommission Letter LemonAveStreetscape-20181127-signed

The following are some of the facts and concerns which are not widely known and should receive further public review and discussion:

• City staff plan to remove 27 existing Live Oak trees along Lemon Avenue because “the trees are doing poorly”.
• Contrary to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Code and Downtown Green Space Policy, City staff plan to replace Live Oak canopy trees with Royal Palms.
• Royal Palms reach heights up to 80 ft, which will not provide shade for sidewalk pedestrians.
• Royal Palm large fronds (up to 15 ft, 80 lbs) falling 80 feet are a hazard to pedestrians & cars.
• Downtown Sarasota Condo Association has requested City staff to find alternative solution to replacing canopy trees with palms on Lemon Avenue.
• The soil around existing trees needs to be loosened & amended to enable healthier tree roots.

Save Our Shade-20181215

 

Please attend the Lemon Ave Streetscape Open House and/or send your comments requesting the city to Save Our Shade to:

LemonAveStreetscape@SarasotaFL.Gov

Patrick Gannon

President, DSCA

Downtown.Sarasota.Condo.Assoc@gmail.com

We Are Downtown Sarasota – Residential Neighborhood

December 15th, 2018

• Why Do People Keep Being Killed on This Road?  by Charles Marohn | December 10, 2018
  

Tragedy predictably occurs when our road designs combine high speeds and randomness.

 

• Three Cheers for Minneapolis (The 3 is for Triplex)  by Daniel Herriges | December 12, 2018
  

Minneapolis just became the first major U.S. city in a long time to embrace a key Strong Towns principle: every neighborhood should be allowed to evolve to the next increment of development.

 

• If We Win, You Won’t Hear About It  by Daniel Herriges | December 5, 2018
  

If Strong Towns is successful—really successful—you won’t hear about it, because the vast majority of the change we produce won’t be attributed to us at all. It will be embedded in the broader culture.

 

• Let Them Apply for Variances  by Nolan Gray | December 6, 2018
  

If granting exceptions to your city’s planning rules is so common as to have become the norm, perhaps it’s time to reconsider the rules themselves.

 

• Best of 2018: Why Walkable Streets are More Economically Productive  by Rachel Quednau | December 4, 2018
  

When we aim for perfection, imperfections will disturb us. But, when we aim for imperfection, other imperfections build character.

December 15th, 2018

The Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association (DSCA) has been a Stakeholder and supporter of the Bayfront 20:20 planning initiative since its early planning in 2014.  DSCA helped financially to fund the Stakeholder initiative and has provided feedback to the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization (SBPO) and The Bayplanning team through the Stakeholder organization.  It is the position of the DSCA Board that The Bay project should continue to move forward after delivery of The Bay Conceptual Master Plan on September 6, 2018.

The DSCA Board supports continuing the efforts to plan, fund, and implement The Bay project following the six Guiding Principle approved by the City Commission and recommends the following actions:

1. Transitioning the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization, Inc. (SBPO), a 501(c)(3) from its planning organization purpose to a conservancy 501 (c)(3) purpose that will be assigned the responsibility of protecting the public interest (including lease development and lease management) of the City owned 53 acre park parcel, zoned Government Use, known as The Bay;
2. Endorsing the non-binding conceptual The Bay Master Plan, dated September 6, 2018, which will be further refined to incorporate the vision of City’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan, as amended and made part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan;
3. Approving The Bay Phase 1 Master Plan, dated September 6, 2018; and
4. Granting the Sarasota Bayfront Planning Organization, and its successor conservancy organization, the direction and authority to proceed with fundraising, planning, and implementation activities for The Bay Project Phase 1.

Therefore, the DSCA Board urges the Sarasota City Commission to favorably consider the foregoing recommended actions and approve moving The Bay project forward at the September 6, 2018, special City Commission meeting at City Hall.

DSCA_Letter_TheBayProject-signed-20180906

September 6th, 2018

July 9, 2018   SARASOTA, FLORIDA

Joint Zoning Code Consensus press release-final-20180709

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Melvin Sykes
melvynsykes48@gmail.com
(443) 871-5879

Four Civic Groups Unite to Adopt Zoning Code Principles

• Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations (CCNA)
• Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association (DSCA)
• STOP!
• SHOUT

Sarasota, Florida July 9, 2018 – Four of Sarasota’s civic groups have united in support of six principles intended to enhance walkability, livability and development compatibility in the City of Sarasota. In combination, these groups represent many thousands of Sarasota residents.  These principles will be used in a collective effort to work with the City Commission to repair the City’s zoning code.

The Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations (CCNA) was formed in 1990 to preserve and enhance city neighborhoods, to address the needs of neighborhoods and to stand in support of those needs. The association has 32 member neighborhoods. At its June 3, 2018 meeting, CCNA members approved a resolution jointly introduced by the Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association (DSCA) and the Granada neighborhood association.

DSCA represents over 30 condominiums with over 6,000 residents in the greater downtown area. DSCA has advocated for mandatory community workshops as part of the development review process and that new construction be compatible with the surrounding community.

SHOUT and STOP! were both formed to address specific zoning issues and have particularly focused on public hearings for new development projects and more generous setbacks and sidewalks.

These four groups have agreed to six principles that should guide zoning code changes and construction site management in the City of Sarasota. Those principles are:

1. The current administrative approval process for the downtown does not provide adequate opportunity for public input during the site plan process and must be changed.
2. The practice of approving site plans through an administrative review process conducted by City staff should not be expanded for the areas outside of downtown.
3. City construction site policies and procedures do not adequately protect pedestrians and adjoining properties from falling debris and other safety hazards. Fines should be meaningful and inspections frequent.
4. City policies and procedures do not adequately incentivize developers to minimize street and sidewalk closures for the briefest period of time possible and should be strengthened.
5. Minimum and maximum setback footage should be increased for the downtown zones. Sidewalk width, especially on arterial streets, should be reviewed for the entire city.
6. Development projects should be compatible with the surrounding community: City staff should be proactive in implementing the compatibility standards already in the City zoning code.

These principles grew from:

• the findings of a June 2017 DSCA survey of downtown residents,
  concerns expressed by citizens at town hall meetings organized by STOP! and bySHOUT members at City Commission meetings,
  the results of a CCNA project which developed a list of hot issues.

It is evident that many city residents are concerned about these development issues, and this frustration is reflected in the overwhelming support of residents for these principles.  The members of these four civic groups expect the City Commission to act immediately on these principles and to repair these specific problems in our zoning code. These problems must not be postponed until the long delayed Form-Based Code is addressed. These four civic groups look forward to working with the City of Sarasota staff and commissioners.

####

July 9th, 2018

THURSDAY, MAR. 8, 2018

by: David Conway Deputy Managing Editor

https://www.yourobserver.com/article/downtown-palm-avenue-setbacks-form-based-code

As the city ponders new zoning regulations, downtown residents want more space between them and new construction.

During a period of growth in Sarasota, downtown residents are banding together to ask the city to reconsider its building regulations. As officials prepare to review a proposed citywide form-based zoning code, a segment of people living downtown are asking for relief from the effects of construction.

One of the primary goals is getting some more space between them and new buildings.

The DSCA and Shout have both asked the city to emphasize a requirement in the existing code that states a project must be compatible with its surroundings.

 READ FULL ARTICLE

Copyright © 2019 Observer Media Group, Inc., All Rights Reserved

March 8th, 2018

February 5, 2018

City of Sarasota Commission

1565 1st Street, Room 101

Sarasota, Florida 34236

 

Dear Mayor Freeland Eddie, Vice Mayor Alpert, Commissioners Ahern-Koch, Brody and Shaw:

 

The Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association (DSCA) surveyed its members in June 2017 concerning the impact of land development and construction in our Downtown neighborhood.  Based on the concerns expressed by respondents to the survey, and by our Zoning Committee, the DSCA recommends the following to address those concerns:

1. Setbacks should be required: A number of respondents, especially those who live in the community on S. Palm Avenue are opposed to building to the lot line. They argue that doing so is incompatible with their beautiful neighborhood; poses a danger to adjoining properties and passersby during construction and would ultimately create, what in affect would be, a concrete wall along the south side of S. Palm Avenue. This issue needs to be addressed now before more lot line to lot line construction is approved. Therefore, DSCA recommends the City Commission adopt, without delay, the attached Zoning Text Amendment, which restores the setback requirement to what it was before the community was rezoned. We also recommend that setback requirements be incorporated in the new Form Based Code for other city neighborhoods. 
2.  Compatibility with the Neighborhood: In a matter related to setbacks, respondents to the DSCA survey felt that city staff needs to understand that the current residents are also important to the success of the City, not just new development. The size & dominance of buildings should not be out of proportion to neighboring buildings. The health of a city is in its walkability for residents and visitors alike. Trees along sidewalks and green spaces are necessary. Therefore, DSCA recommends that the City Commission direct that as part of the site plan approval process that city staff make an affirmative finding that the plan is COMPATIBLE with the surrounding neighborhood to include setbacks, streetscape and other criteria found in Section IV-506(4) of the Zoning Code.
3.  Public Input: Several respondents to the DSCA survey wrote that they were unaware of the opportunity for them to make their views known during the development approval process, or if they were aware they didn’t think the opportunities for citizens to be heard was adequate. Therefore, DSCA recommends that the new Form Based Zoning Code apply the existing Laurel Park Overlay Process to the Downtown Transect Zones (DTC, DTB, DTE, DTN). That process provides for a community workshop following a developer notifying the city of an intent to build followed by a second workshop after the developer submits a building permit or administrative site plan application to the city. Affected residents would then have 20 working days to appeal the city staff’s decision to the Planning Board and then to appeal the Planning Board’s decision to the City Commission. To lessen the burden on city staff, DSCA suggests this process only be initiated when at least 5 residents request a community work-shop.

 

These recommendations were finalized after consulting Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown, City Attorney Robert Fournier, City Planning Director Steve Cover, Karin Murphy from the Urban Design Studio and other members of the City staff. DSCA believes they reasonably and prudently address the concerns of downtown Sarasota residents.

 

The DSCA Zoning Committee would welcome the opportunity to meet with each Commissioner to discuss, and answer questions regarding, the recommendations set forth in this letter. The committee chair will contact each commissioner to arrange an appointment.

 

Sincerely.

DSCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

BY: _______________________________________

Patrick J. Gannon, President

 

CC:

City Manager Tom Barwin

Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown

City Attorney Robert Fournier

City Planning Director Steve Cover

• DSCA ltr to City Commission-20180205
• DSCA-DTB Zoning Text Amendment

February 5th, 2018

In June 2017, the DSCA Zoning Code Committee sent out a survey to the member condo associations requesting feedback on the most critical issues affecting residents with regards to land development and construction projects in our greater downtown neighborhood. The responses were grouped and the committee’s findings were provided to the DSCA Board with the following four major actions to address the residents’ concerns.

Survey Comments	DSCA Recommendations
Public input: The majority of respondents wrote that they were unaware of the opportunity for them to make their views known during the development approval process, or if they were aware they didn’t think the chance for citizens to be heard were adequate.	DSCA to propose a Zoning Code Amendment requiring Community Workshops, when requested by a specified number of residents, be held prior to submission of a development or site plan application within the Downtown Transect Zones (DTC, DTB, DTE, DTN).
Compatibility with Neighborhood:  Respondents felt that the City staff need to understand that the current residents are also important to the success of the City, not just new development.  The size & dominance of buildings is out of proportion to neighboring buildings.  The health of a city is in its walkability for residents & tourists alike.  Trees along sidewalks and greenspaces are necessary.	DSCA to advocate for City staff to make an affirmative statement that a building project is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood to include the setbacks and streetscape of the other buildings in the community when approving building site plans as specified in Zoning Code Sec. IV‑506(4).
Setbacks should be required: A number of respondents, especially those living in buildings on S. Palm, are opposed to building to the lot line. Several S. Palm Ave residents felt that 18 story buildings with no front or side setbacks are incompatible with their neighborhood.	DSCA to support a Zoning Text Amendment reestablishing the requirement for wider front, rear and side lot-line building setbacks in the community extending from Ringling Blvd. to Mound Street between South Palm and Gulfstream Avenues (a subarea of the Downtown Bayfront [DTB] zone).
Construction Safety:  One respondent summed up the situation regarding accidents, such as debris falling on neighboring property endangering residents and the safety of passing pedestrians and bicyclists this way: “The City has taken a hands-off attitude.”	DSCA to organize a workshop to educate the public on the current Form-Based Zoning Code to include a brief history of how and why the current zoning code that affects downtown Sarasota was adopted; what is and why do we have administrative approval of building site plans, and how residents can make their views known about a development project.  Construction safety issues will also be discussed to include to whom residents should contact when they see a safety problem.

To view the table of findings and recommendations see: DSCA Zoning Code Committee Findings-Recommendations-20171101

November 1st, 2017

February 9, ,2017   SARASOTA, Fla. – The Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association, led by President Patrick Gannon, has succeeded in urging the City of Sarasota to send email notifications about development applications submitted to the city for review.

The policy change makes the development process more accessible to community members who can now subscribe to receive emails from the Office of the City Auditor and Clerk alerting them about two aspects of the development approval process – Notice of Filing for new development applications and Notice of Decisions for administratively reviewed applications.

Gannon emailed the City Auditor and Clerk Pamela Nadalini and Development Review Coordinator Lori Rivers on Feb. 6 requesting their office “include an email notification for Land Development applications and staff decisions.”

Gannon stated, “We feel this added electronic notification would help to improve the current situation where citizens feel they are left out of the process; especially for land development projects filed under Administrative Review.”

The city currently mails development notifications to property owners within 500 feet of a potential development as required by the city’s zoning code. The new email notification system will take the communication process a step further, helping Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association members and all community stakeholders become more informed about development in the City of Sarasota.

To subscribe to the city’s Notice of Filing and Notice of Decisions email notifications, please visit http://www.egovlink.com/sarasota/subscriptions/subscribe.asp and select “Development Application Notices” from the list on the page.

February 20th, 2017