[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6065752,"mediaKeyId","3196029-dc5e474a5be3ac2aa3aa50b245958dc3","parentId",3196029,"title","Commission approves Mango Avenue right-of-way vacation with proffers and staff review of neighborhood infrastructure","audioSeconds",5716,"startMs",7952000,"endMs",13668000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3196029-dc5e474a5be3ac2aa3aa50b245958dc3&start=7952&end=13668","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3196029-dc5e474a5be3ac2aa3aa50b245958dc3/thumbnail_7952000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6065752/Florida/Commission-approves-Mango-Avenue-right-of-way-vacation-with-proffers-and-staff-review-of-neighborhood-infrastructure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065752-880ce7d28899c55baeff4e9b88b24060/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158054&Signature=AR~-OWTiM5lhz~4KTdelYEfHZWO5ts0KVj~MCiTlWPFZSA3AMqZHa3HvY3BgXPef~b9mITDZJNFD34D8G0zdQu8pYs62sVmpeFrtkujygQVCRiTJh7Tx-MXBmBLg9zpWmp5GoDfV8VJ67fyeZmuMGZpPv7h0CY1dFoP6eNnhevfe4SShcjwfrxBwKaImtqeN9AqBADhbM1LQAgGVoaA-A~aUBuWJqJ62rmmIdf3YunVgK~XCwQ0CMfwuTR88HIH7KSi2xQrbwTwaHH67li5leLocQcRGtpDa7i2-VMVdHFFX39KTZK5It3kmEpNdGhszHu15NzTM5UFs8SKhZ5mjCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Sarasota, FL ","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The City Commission on Feb. 18 approved an ordinance vacating a vacant, unimproved dead-end segment of Mango Avenue (the city right of way) so an adjacent auto service development could proceed — but the approval included several proffers and a referral to staff for further study of longstanding neighborhood infrastructure issues.

Planner Rebecca Webster summarized staff findings: the subject segment is “a vacant, unimproved dead end with no turnaround,” and improving it into a public street would require acquiring adjoining property and significant civil work. The planning board had recommended approval by a 3–2 vote; commissioners had asked the applicants and neighbors to negotiate additional solutions before the hearing.

Attorney John Patterson, representing the applicants, and neighborhood representative Howard Davis described weeks of follow-up negotiation that led to a memorandum of understanding. Under the agreement the applicants proffered to grant: (1) an easement for stormwater management and drainage over a delineated west-side strip; (2) an access/ingress-and-egress easement to prevent landlock of an adjacent city remnant parcel; and (3) construction of a sidewalk extension along Apricot Avenue to the Marvin's Woodworking property line. Patterson said the proposals resolved several practical problems for the auto business and neighboring properties.

Neighbors and other stakeholders had asked for a broader response to persistent adjacent problems: recurring flooding in the intersection and ditch system north of Eighth Street, lack of sidewalks and street lighting on Apricot Avenue, and at least two properties that remain on septic systems. Howard Davis emphasized those long-standing issues and asked the commission to direct staff to study possible solutions. \"These issues predated this proposal,\" he said, and recommended an engineering and stormwater study for the area.

Commissioners approved the vacation on conditions: the ordinance will be effective only if the applicants obtain required site-plan sign-offs and building permits within two years; applicants must record the proffered easement(s) for drainage and access; and the applicant will construct the Apricot sidewalk extension shown in the site materials. Commissioners also directed the interim city manager to have staff analyze the neighborhood requests (stormwater/drainage, sidewalk/lighting, sewer connections) and return with recommendations for timing, costs and potential CIP or funding options. The ordinance passed 3–2.

What this does: Vacating the right of way removes the city's ownership of the small unusable segment and clears a development path for the proposed auto service facility, subject to the recorded easements and the site-plan/building-permit window. The staff study will not automatically obligate the city to fund capital projects, but commissioners asked for cost and feasibility information to inform future budgeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sarasota Regular City Commission Meeting February 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Commission approved vacating a dead-end segment of Mango Avenue to allow an auto-repair development to proceed, conditioned on recorded easements for drainage and access, a sidewalk extension and the applicant securing permits within two years.","taxTitle","Sarasota City, Sarasota County, Florida","taxId",58306,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6065757,"Commission approves City Hall fountain upgrades and fencing after debate over public access",1392,3999000,5391000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3196029-dc5e474a5be3ac2aa3aa50b245958dc3&start=3999&end=5391","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3196029-dc5e474a5be3ac2aa3aa50b245958dc3/thumbnail_3999000.jpg","/articles/6065757/Florida/Commission-approves-City-Hall-fountain-upgrades-and-fencing-after-debate-over-public-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065757-4d89ce3d6fd3e81d8b68fd07f59d6f00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158054&Signature=M1ogj5L85ZReGRv0gxhVnrF0t-mDcsF4tPCHZPt~q7BRFe0zAVl0DnPn22SKfLeH6vLMhwLWAG2eka7TKJBWCjE-WMLGQyKw8OOhXZjOZgpThO6g5KXUs40HYiV8xRyg5OVMKNXotPufPoj00UqBgjI2A2cEDC6HdUV~zd0Z1jW7Gvu6-lwa0bT7F20CGm5w22XiNFgJGGlhLoQ1e78Zc0EoZlyh5xuQaE6oK~glzwiQ74izkXsq~Iff2V~ZyP6M1jjl9UZ8yWT2mpcTRAR4Q2c4q8Aa1nEF2dItWj4e4oA-N0Gk3jUoQZB~XbrA05xMfOX7-RsfXw63p5rzi0FbSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sarasota City Commission on Feb. 18 approved upgrades to the City Hall fountain and surrounding plaza, which include removal and replacement of deteriorated stonework, electrical upgrades and an exterior fence to secure the area at night.

City facility manager Eric Patrick told commissioners the fence was proposed after repeated vandalism and sanitation problems in the area, and said anchors and concrete tables had been installed previously to curb theft and damage. \"The idea behind that was they couldn't really remove it and damage it,\" Patrick said, explaining past decisions on site furniture. He also said the gates could be left open during business hours and locked at night.

Deputy City Manager Pat Robinson and Development Services Director Lucia Panaca described frequent calls for service to that corner of the City Hall campus and said lighting and improved sightlines could also reduce illicit activity. \"Generally, the vandalism is happening in the evenings,\" Robinson said, and staff offered alternatives such as cameras and improved lighting if the commission preferred to avoid a fence.

Some commissioners stressed philosophical concerns about fencing public land. Commissioner Ahern Koch said the Jack West–designed City Hall campus was intended to be accessible and that a fence would \"send the wrong message.\" Commissioner Batty and others countered that repeated bathing in the fountain and sanitation problems made security measures necessary to protect public health; Batty said he had seen people sleeping in the fountain area late at night.

The commission approved the full upgrade package, including the fence, with a 4–1 vote. Commissioners agreed the gates should be open during regular business hours. The motion tied final design and timing to the construction bid presented in the consent item. Commissioner Ahern Koch voted against the fence, arguing staff should first try lighting and sight-line improvements and avoid fencing public space unless necessary.

What the vote does and does not do: The contract award/upgrade authorization allows project work to proceed per the bid packet discussed in the consent item; the fence element was included by commission direction and can be left unlocked during the day and locked at night as a matter of operations.","After commissioners and staff debated vandalism, visibility and public-access concerns, the commission approved renovations to the City Hall fountain area including an exterior fence to be locked outside business hours. Vote: 4–1.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6065762,"City agrees to sell small downtown parcel; proceeds slated for affordable housing fund",925,6614000,7539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3196029-dc5e474a5be3ac2aa3aa50b245958dc3&start=6614&end=7539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3196029-dc5e474a5be3ac2aa3aa50b245958dc3/thumbnail_6614000.jpg","/articles/6065762/Florida/City-agrees-to-sell-small-downtown-parcel-proceeds-slated-for-affordable-housing-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065762-21681345ef148409f5ff79944f0d5cb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158054&Signature=EJjpaFMRhDFemqaBGw3ohGwtQfew5-wbLzZBIHoKJal-8coIh9QJX~au3UgEVGCddD71WKaVw4XcCDxpRn8CdmbUdADQ1BIhYuBslZbstWmVhuTxC-8iXtPSFZ1Xxf95QyJ~i34mi~1DO0qmq9MP5kGbTZ995uoQEzNy97LFUuCtgiX2nj0D3Z4Xlf4tbqrAXrhgp3maqC1GC62K2CQqsc21LV5VH8U0xm9oWVomlj5IfFMSygXoHdcbdoZv5x7tIFm-pn1MSoiDBFu8VbcP2E1yyCLAKHp6Pux5OLSzwXYq~kiOG~Yj3jIaiOQ2Io4e023qXGBQnoLF8OBGQou~VQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sarasota City Commission on Feb. 18 approved a purchase-and-sale agreement selling a small, city-owned parcel at 400 Benjamin Franklin Drive to Wilson AMI LLC for $97,000, a figure $16,000 above an independent appraisal.

The parcel is about 6,700 square feet and — according to city staff — has limited marketability because of its size, zoning and limits on ingress and egress. Wayne Appleby, the city’s economic development real estate manager, told commissioners the appraisal was reduced because \"the site, as appraiser identified it as really unmarketable, because of its size, because limits for ingress and egress, and, the requirement, it's currently zoned G.\" The purchase price negotiated with the adjacent property owner was $97,000.

The sale was paired with a commission direction that the proceeds be deposited into the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Brenda Patton, attorney for the prospective buyer, said the parcel \"has almost no environmental value\" and that the buyer would pay $97,000 — more than the appraisal — and that the funds could support affordable housing efforts. Martin Hyde, a resident who spoke during public comment, urged the commission to seek a higher price, calling the appraisal and the negotiated price inadequate.

Commissioners debated the public-interest trade-offs of selling city land. After a failed motion earlier in the meeting to halt the sale, the commission later approved the purchase-and-sale agreement and the funding direction. The final approval passed 4–1.

The agreement will now proceed to closing under the terms presented to the commission; the sale price will be transferred to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund as directed.

Votes at a glance: The commission voted 4–1 to approve the purchase-and-sale agreement and to direct proceeds to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

What happens next: Staff and the city attorney will finalize closing documents and process the transfer of funds to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. No dates for closing were specified in the public record from the meeting.","The City of Sarasota approved a purchase-and-sale agreement for a 6,700-square-foot parcel at 400 Benjamin Franklin Drive to an adjacent property owner for $97,000, with proceeds directed to the city's Affordable Housing Trust Fund.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6065742,"Commission accepts regional flood insurance promotion plan; plan helps secure community discount under National Flood Insurance Program",316,3645000,3961000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3196029-dc5e474a5be3ac2aa3aa50b245958dc3&start=3645&end=3961","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3196029-dc5e474a5be3ac2aa3aa50b245958dc3/thumbnail_3645000.jpg","/articles/6065742/Florida/Commission-accepts-regional-flood-insurance-promotion-plan-plan-helps-secure-community-discount-under-National-Flood-Insurance-Program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065742-32a72db0ccd8a5ec625cb2095de5ce9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158054&Signature=CrXOZb-ZrH-pTiSHKZt0yK~ymP~6GnAhMzl2ELoTpalCuTaTHsZ1DmNPnmf-JRnVraXwlUIH~7O2EJWWiKAbUwQLBlgME9d5EGFuGpIQEBfMWa7~YCDlQQRqa~iunrA8-1w5~HTNHP6lz18JqzJ5kt9KoWgDDpZadz42V0gP7vZbQfR0bIPi3BmxuYFcY3R72CBqdaUTEDVMy1dnap2PY8mKeBz2Ipt3NWNqB5PIFUh4LA0uf5lapKlJFfH3srap1hvDE~9ssc7tc85ntc19m7emJmMqxT0h2Fk6a0qlnJQL~NqkzrPADFQm9jQFnIBQ3HYYSMlCtqHJ89L8Rw0RHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission accepted the region-wide Flood Insurance Promotion Plan on Feb. 18, a document used by communities participating in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) to earn insurance-credit points and reduce premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Cindy Cahill, the city's floodplain manager (participating remotely), told the commission the plan documents public-information activities and the program-for-public-information (PPI) efforts that earn credits under CRS; she said that participation produces a 25% premium discount for NFIP policies within the city. Cahill said the document covers the broader county, including Venice, Longboat Key and Northport, and staff will publish a web version (with active links) and a print version for the public and the library.

Commissioners discussed how the plan highlights risk-area statistics — including the share of households that lack flood insurance despite being in flood-prone areas — and encouraged the public to make use of the guidance. Commissioner Ahern Koch called the document “incredibly valuable information for our community” and praised the short web version the city distributed in advance.

The commission voted to accept the report; staff said they will update the plan annually as part of CRS requirements and will post the web and printed copies so residents can access the information.

Why this matters: Acceptance keeps Sarasota’s CRS credit current and supports the 25% NFIP premium reduction for policyholders inside the participating jurisdictions; it also consolidates outreach material the city uses to encourage flood-insurance purchases and resilience actions.","The commission accepted the Flood Insurance Promotion Plan — part of Sarasota's participation in FEMA's Community Rating System — which helps secure a 25% NFIP premium discount for city policyholders, and staff said they will post web and print versions for public access.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6065747,"Commission adopts zoning change to raise allowable seawall heights to align with sea-level projections",255,6309000,6564000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3196029-dc5e474a5be3ac2aa3aa50b245958dc3&start=6309&end=6564","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3196029-dc5e474a5be3ac2aa3aa50b245958dc3/thumbnail_6309000.jpg","/articles/6065747/Florida/Commission-adopts-zoning-change-to-raise-allowable-seawall-heights-to-align-with-sea-level-projections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065747-7cb286619209fbe2e2525f1083d32877/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158054&Signature=dfLrmFEBawrVlBBQ5qHBRnuxMGDL8wyfYd6fxtvI5kKRVTg6U8tWAxDyjTih08T19sSLnhMPYcpf-7qG5QIq5Qe6~1KyKgMu7ci-iEo2KfsSwCeSjee2aqYVrqMgMiwUvqjqzE6acISgkntMVV3cYiItJ9FFcq0VUgaDUo7QGPiG7OXSS-LNBAAfoOw3gxo7zeL-5yCCpJS6DMCXjOUX3u8VGM97FoEXgL9HJDJASCXqoaTkHy66IJEh~xycr~s-OkqRVKdU5e2KqrBDGUPx1iBS7KKHx7FypxUjm1KpknTv~TLouOqXo3wT9rpNN9tfMTUGkX5vErYl52HVQ~FXtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On second reading Feb. 18, the Sarasota City Commission unanimously adopted a zoning text amendment that raises the permitted maximum seawall and bulkhead elevation from the current limit (measured to mean low water) to a fixed elevation of 7.27 feet NAVD88, tied to the NOAA 2070 sea-level projections.

Chief planner Brianna Dobbs summarized the changes made since first reading: the amendment establishes clearer submittal requirements, addresses potential adverse impacts on neighboring properties and encourages \"living shoreline\" features where appropriate. Staff added explicit language that seawalls, groins, bulkheads and protective devices must be designed to conform to the standards in the city's Engineering Design Criteria Manual (EDCM). Dobbs also said the climate adaptation center reviewed the proposal and expressed support.

Dobbs told commissioners the code change uses the NOAA 2070 water-level projections and the NAVD88 vertical datum to set the new allowable elevation as a planning and resiliency tool. The ordinance does not mandate private work; it sets the maximum permissible structural elevations where property owners seek permits.

Commissioner discussion was limited; Vice Mayor Trice thanked staff for improving the language and clarifying the food-pantry definition in a separate zoning text item. The ordinance passed unanimously on second reading.

Implications: The amendment gives property owners and permit reviewers a clear target elevation to design against, aligns permitting language with the city's engineering criteria and encourages non-structural resilience approaches. The ordinance includes process language for submittal and mitigation of adverse neighbor impacts and refers design details to the EDCM.","The commission adopted a zoning text amendment to raise the maximum seawall elevation to 7.27 ft NAVD88 based on NOAA 2070 projections and added submittal requirements, living-shoreline encouragement and design conformity to the city Engineering Design Criteria Manual.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves Mango Avenue right-of-way vacation with proffers and staff review of neighborhood infrastructure

Commission approves City Hall fountain upgrades and fencing after debate over public access

City agrees to sell small downtown parcel; proceeds slated for affordable housing fund

Commission accepts regional flood insurance promotion plan; plan helps secure community discount under National Flood Insurance Program

Commission adopts zoning change to raise allowable seawall heights to align with sea-level projections