At the Sarasota County Commissioners hearing of 9/11/24, the Commissioners approved the the rezoning petition for the CEM University Project involving 122 housing units and 4-story buildings adjoining Desoto Acres along University Parkway. The vote was 4-1, with only Mark Smith, our Commissioner, voting to oppose.
The Desoto Acres Association thanks the 15 residents who spoke against the petition. The Association also thanks attorney Ralf Brookes, who also spoke on our behalf. County staff recommended denial of the associated Comprehensive Plan and University Parkway Corridor Plan amendments, and the Association applauds their professionalism and good judgement. We cannot say the same for the judgement of Commissioners Moran, Cutsinger, Neunder and Rainford.
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This is a link to the agenda.
This is a link to the package supporting the meeting. Agenda item #8 starts on page 494.
This proposal completely undermines the County’s University Parkway Corridor Plan and would open the door for other developers to come forward with projects that are incompatible with the natural setting of Desoto Acres.
SAVE THESE DATES:
- The next formal step is the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners hearing scheduled for September 11, 2024
- The Desoto Acres Association will hold a neighborhood meeting ahead of the BOCC hearing on September 5th 2024 at 6:30 PM at the Northminster Presbyterian Church
The objective of the meeting is to discuss the strategies and arguments that may resonate with the County Commissioners and convince at least two of them to oppose the petition. We hope that residents will come and help us organize the various arguments among speakers at the hearing. We will likely be limited to 3 minutes per speaker, so preparation is key.
If you are a resident and have not received an e-mail to save these dates, please send an e-mail to desotoacresassociation@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list
