[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6065730,"mediaKeyId","3196048-b71ec600f97339c3f2597a624f32567f","parentId",3196048,"title","Commissioners discuss stormwater, FDOT priorities and hurricane impacts; city attorney announces closed session request","audioSeconds",1150,"startMs",3501330,"endMs",4651700,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3196048-b71ec600f97339c3f2597a624f32567f&start=3501&end=4651","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3196048-b71ec600f97339c3f2597a624f32567f/thumbnail_3501330.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6065730/Florida/Commissioners-discuss-stormwater-FDOT-priorities-and-hurricane-impacts-city-attorney-announces-closed-session-request","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065730-f69673c6a7ce799d658fb172c49b237f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770942187&Signature=f23fU7kBY9QGOLsbIn8wnfJaaEolcKWuV7ND8AHMnW3ZgUnqGLCUFnvOyycBgmwxB8xiPwlZ4O~glSjQtIxf4RyHb~i94Vs-zlaEeoyovIVKhDc~8EFrtoD0Q~quiSvziZuZyq6QpSeTqNsll8TboUq~SochDQOi9JAMmrCHyNc5QAYvWGxbg6cjC0cVDdHU9oE~0NFYYFpoQSFV-kxPnlC8dj1HjVLTaHPViQIG4TVP02J3g2Z-rB36yIf-msU4K7NoTRpIuepZmTEmPsPljGLQ6ejaGijWP3oyUeKj8TAaPUrGEYG3iU6wfmfS0u4SVfwc7OTxOl~DwX-VHWrtfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Sarasota, FL ","date","2025-04-07T00:00:00Z","article","Commissioners used the April 7 meeting for updates on regional transportation, stormwater planning and hurricane impacts, and the city attorney announced a requested closed attorney‑client session related to pending litigation.

Commission business and regional coordination: A commissioner who attended Florida League of Cities legislative days said the Metropolitan Planning Organization moved a request to prioritize roundabouts at MLK and Myrtle to the top of its list after the City advocated for advancing the project; the commissioner said right‑of‑way acquisition costs remain significant and work with FDOT is ongoing.

Stormwater and county discussion: Multiple commissioners and meeting participants referenced presentations about county stormwater operations and the possibility of a city assuming greater stormwater responsibilities. Meeting comments described such a transition as multi‑year (one presenter suggested five to ten years) and recommended a workshop where the county stormwater manager would brief commissioners on implications, costs and a transition timeline.

Hurricane impacts and parks: Commissioners and staff reported post‑storm damage assessments. The city’s engineering briefing referenced a preliminary estimate of about $20 million in damage along portions of the city coastline and parks; commissioners said FEMA funding and other appropriations are being pursued and that staff will present an after‑action workshop later this year on emergency response and recovery.

Public comment highlights: Two citizens spoke during the public‑comment period. Sheldon Rich, a city resident, urged the commission to stop collecting a usage/excise tax on months when a net‑metered Florida Power & Light customer produces all of their electricity and is only billed the monthly base meter charge; Rich said he has discussed the issue with city finance since August 2024 and that FPL cites state statute and does not provide usage data. Ron Shapiro, a city resident, urged commissioners to reject the 1260 North Palm project at the commission’s April 21 appeal hearing and cited planning‑board concerns that the site plan is not compatible with the city’s comprehensive plan; he asked commissioners to meet with opponents before that appeal.

Closed‑session announcement and litigation: City attorney staff announced a request for a shade meeting (closed attorney‑client session) under Florida Statutes §286.011(8) to discuss settlement strategy in the pending case Terrence Thomas v. City of Sarasota, case number 2024 CA000204NC, filed in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. The city attorney said the subject matter will be confined to settlement negotiations and litigation strategy and that a date and public notice will be provided consistent with the Sunshine Law.

State bills and legislative watch: Jennifer Jorgensen, the city’s director of governmental affairs, briefed commissioners on several bills being tracked at the state legislature. Items discussed included proposed changes to sovereign immunity caps (one amendment reduced a proposed raise to $500,000 per person/$1,000,000 per incident), House Bill 247 (affordable housing provisions that affect local regulation of accessible dwelling units), House Bill 943 (land development and preemption language that could limit local control over FAR/setbacks/height and other development controls), and a community‑redevelopment‑area bill under consideration with potential new auditing or restrictions. Jorgensen said some provisions had been removed from certain bills but could appear in other measures and that staff would continue to monitor developments.

Next steps: Commissioners requested a public workshop on stormwater transition implications and a staff after‑action review of the city’s hurricane response and parks impacts; staff said they will schedule the sessions and provide materials. The city attorney’s office said it will schedule the shade meeting and provide required public notice.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sarasota Regular City Commission Meeting April 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners on April 7 updated the city about regional transportation priorities and stormwater planning, reviewed hurricane damage estimates to parks, and received a formal request from the city attorney for a closed attorney‑client meeting on pending litigation.","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},6065735,"Commission approves consent resolutions and two board appointments",102,2503650,2605700,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3196048-b71ec600f97339c3f2597a624f32567f&start=2503&end=2605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3196048-b71ec600f97339c3f2597a624f32567f/thumbnail_2503650.jpg","/articles/6065735/Florida/Commission-approves-consent-resolutions-and-two-board-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065735-f447e097f0d0964843a175fc36f85d68/orig.mp4?Expires=1770942187&Signature=oPiVdD6xS5N~UnjuTtjtWvX769JDo40l8NADrg0F6eEqHxZg9ulL6fOFkUsFlOCsR7Cgi8W6f8~6Yl1~V6qwk8F3y3LRxJ~5jJ7Kx2FXxzwc5xRXVorzDTTeixHhdB4hGyOfXHI8J9zo4xMXS5GXibLjYE9QkrpxyVv7ilmqWfQr-wXcxUA1~hdoHnQkxhZySkUKA~KlteaeOBzwZ-KQKyEeDXJJkQvK1nuzMJTVEVuJFU39peqYeUEMded-xFNw9b~dSpemsYrEI9HbD90Y0mr~AOxJYNApJUu4fm89QNLQT2jkL7bK4gXDUtaczmdJwWSWjWRxJ1GPXZ3oMWEvOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission on April 7 approved a package of consent items that included multiple budget amendments and an update to the city’s rules of procedure. The consent motions passed unanimously.

Clerk read several resolutions by title: Resolution 25R3318, 25R3319, 25R3320, 25R3322, 25R3323 and 25R3324. Each resolution was described in general terms as amending the fiscal‑year 2024–2025 budget to provide supplemental appropriations in amounts identified in their respective exhibits; the precise dollar amounts were shown in the backup exhibits and were not read aloud. Resolution 25R3324 was described as amending the city’s formal rules of procedure for commission meetings. The commission approved consent agenda number 1 and then consent agenda number 2 (which included the listed resolutions) by voice and roll call; the votes were unanimous.

The commission also filled two advisory‑board vacancies by consensus. The Citizens with Disability Advisory Board vacancy created by a resignation was filled from a single applicant; the Human Relations Board reappointed Nicola Consella to a new term. Those appointments were made by unanimous consent.

Motion and votes: Commissioner Aaron Koch moved approval of the consent agendas; the Vice Mayor seconded. Roll‑call votes were recorded as yes from the commissioners present and the motions passed unanimously.

Details not specified in meeting transcript: Exhibit dollar amounts for the budget amendments were not read into the public record at the meeting and are shown in the staff backup materials; the commission approved the resolutions as read by title. The city clerk’s minutes will list the exact exhibit amounts and full vote records.","At its April 7 meeting the Sarasota City Commission approved multiple budget amendment resolutions on consent and appointed/ reappointed members to advisory boards; all consent items passed unanimously.",{"_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},6065739,"City approves special permit for seawall at 1215 Westway Drive",3997,2643855,6640980,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3196048-b71ec600f97339c3f2597a624f32567f&start=2643&end=6640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3196048-b71ec600f97339c3f2597a624f32567f/thumbnail_2643855.jpg","/articles/6065739/Florida/City-approves-special-permit-for-seawall-at-1215-Westway-Drive","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6065739-1c7ead119d0e76294c7e0c9626c79159/orig.mp4?Expires=1770942187&Signature=Qi0ejj6FrEAY3zHw11sZCTOQbEqn4kzQkWv9Bc7EtU-oBO6SZ7DXSxnkK~x1HSPAmdWoeLsE6OEWNjoulC8KK8AJ01XGFbeb3-b6iFXIoaoeDhw0elWvYC2FG5GBCuUGzRWoIWPhf9PK-ni~3lBfRP3PQXqz2P0bCHRXcGxgpW9RuGfAGMtoAQy5CIQJtJEpxkJPGd43A2VC0EWDwKOqUbcKjAmurMpeLm72NFCgEJeyy5QdthUowTV1qQ1muLa-vYxvupwLntklraUnY85s4NEMgd196qg8GYu123eQkiA5aczgdlPzZ6RqKQjpMRv5x49x5gH9cpUvGlSa5K1gaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission of the City of Sarasota on April 7 voted unanimously to approve Resolution 25R3309, granting a special permit to replace a rock revetment with an approximately 136-linear-foot vertical seawall at 1215 Westway Drive, conditioned on receiving required state and federal approvals.

The approval follows a quasi‑judicial public hearing in which the applicant and city staff presented engineering and code analysis. The applicant’s team said a vertical seawall would align with adjacent shorelines, embed deeper into the submerged bottom (about 6–8 feet), and provide improved flood and erosion protection compared with the existing sloped rock revetment. The proposal also includes a panel-style seawall constructed of double-sided vinyl with interior reinforcement and a concrete cap.

The plan was introduced by a professional engineer representing the applicant and by Daniel Schafer, CMSA Architects, who described damage to the upland structure during recent storms and contrasted that site’s outcomes with neighboring properties that already have vertical seawalls. Allison Christie, the city’s general manager of development services, explained that the zoning code (section 7-13(o)(4)) requires a special permit for new seawalls in the Gulf and passes, and that staff and engineering reviewed the application against the three code criteria: necessity to prevent erosion, proper design to prevent erosion to the subject property, and lack of adverse effects on adjacent properties. Christie also noted the item does not require planning board review and that building‑permit review will apply additional department checks.

Commissioners questioned whether a small gap between the proposed wall and the adjacent northern seawall could shift storm energy onto neighboring property. The applicant’s engineer said the proposed vertical panels extend deeper than the existing revetment toe and that the taller wall, placed landward of mean high water, would reduce the ramping effect that concentrates wave energy at the top of a sloped revetment. Staff said the permit review will require a survey and elevation drawings for neighboring properties and that any potential impacts identified in the permit phase would need to be addressed by revised plans.

Vice Mayor moved approval of the resolution with the stated condition; Commissioner Batty seconded. A roll call recorded unanimous approval. The resolution will not take effect until the applicant obtains any required state and federal permits and completes building‑permit review.

The commission’s decision is recorded as based on the evidentiary record presented during the quasi‑judicial hearing; members disclosed no ex parte communications before the hearing.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve Resolution 25R3309 (special permit for seawall at 1215 Westway Drive) — approved unanimously; motion conditioned on required state and federal approvals.

Next steps: the applicant must obtain state and federal approvals as applicable and secure a city building permit, during which staff said surveys and neighbor elevations will be reviewed and any permit‑phase plan adjustments required to prevent adverse effects will be resolved.","The City Commission granted a special permit allowing a 136-foot vertical seawall at 1215 Westway Drive to replace a rock revetment, conditioned on required state and federal approvals after a quasi‑judicial hearing and staff review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners discuss stormwater, FDOT priorities and hurricane impacts; city attorney announces closed session request

Commission approves consent resolutions and two board appointments

City approves special permit for seawall at 1215 Westway Drive