[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6551726,"mediaKeyId","5329467-1627bb55fa7392e3c087d2a2860d2e84","parentId",5329467,"title","Votes at a glance: Venice City Council, July 8, 2025 — key motions and outcomes","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",6075000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329467-1627bb55fa7392e3c087d2a2860d2e84&start=6075&end=6075","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329467-1627bb55fa7392e3c087d2a2860d2e84/thumbnail_6075000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551726/Venice/Sarasota-County/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Venice-City-Council-July-8-2025-key-motions-and-outcomes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551726-f6d418e2643425d7cbf872265d6c2f42/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424070&Signature=Mlrwm7BJDlPw~GFbGtzyyURPEWjY8EtKAq4LrZ0P3SRn9CC2ObJQGEugYxi8SDlB-RwHLqhEB~pNFRKiphJyDetdlYpQfK1pgwBC34gx53GwlLx2223n8S7sIFvFxUapi44Lyu61cwXlE3TMIo3p2ec3AyC3ETJDsE-yL04fNua6aVmVU821U7KMKsSNsuHcRgwUtXLnZvrN8kzlxcTo8ixoAbEKKOlIeHsoK3PQ5O-Jpt2dHO0UD4XFSkCcKidpeiIJ3uOrXUqbuvYn9f4rv3UtE22mfyHnhyC5E76lkSQibsTVjMxqFevMSfThtpv8D2F6SRI6uz6rklDfPtWkMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Venice","date","2025-07-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Venice City Council made the following formal actions during its July 8, 2025 meeting (votes shown where recorded):

- Property tax/TRIM notices (item 25‑0277): Council set the proposed maximum millage rate and public‑hearing dates required by state law. Vote: 6–1 (Council Member Ron Smith opposed).

- Ordinance 2025‑19 (affordable housing text amendment): Approved on first reading (unanimous). The ordinance amends Chapter 87 to provide standards for affordable housing development consistent with Section 166.04151 of the Florida Statutes.

- Ordinance 2025‑26 (create Planned Public Hospital zoning district): Approved on first reading and scheduled for final reading (unanimous).

- Ordinance 2025‑27 (comprehensive‑plan amendment to recognize PPH district and modify intensity standards): Approved on first reading and transmitted to the Florida Department of Commerce for review. Vote: 6–1.

- Ordinance 2025‑28 (zoning map amendment rezoning 2600 E. Laurel Road to PPH with master‑plan modifications): Approved on first reading. Vote: 6–1.

- Ordinance 2025‑25 (budget amendment increasing revenues and expenditures by $9,236,600): Adopted (unanimous).

- Agenda items 25‑0287, 25‑0288 and 25‑0289 (Curry Creek / stormwater maintenance actions and related approvals): Approved (unanimous). Item 25‑0287 directs staff to proceed with NRCS‑funded debris removal work and continue coordination with Sarasota County on potential maintenance exchanges.

- Appointment: Steven Green appointed to the Historic Architectural Preservation Board to fill an unexpired term (unanimous).

This roundup covers the distinct votes recorded on the council’s electronic voting board during the meeting. Details, including motions, who moved/seconded and supporting materials, are contained in the individual agenda packets and were discussed on the record at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Venice - City Council on 2025-07-08 9:00 AM - Jul 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal council actions taken July 8, 2025, including millage notice, several land‑use ordinances for Sarasota Memorial Hospital, a budget amendment, and approvals tied to stormwater maintenance and appointments.","taxTitle","Venice, Sarasota County, Florida","taxId",56285,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6551731,"Resident urges council to move Independence Day fireworks away from beaches, consider drone shows to protect wildlife",195,2257000,2452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329467-1627bb55fa7392e3c087d2a2860d2e84&start=2257&end=2452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329467-1627bb55fa7392e3c087d2a2860d2e84/thumbnail_2257000.jpg","/articles/6551731/Venice/Sarasota-County/Florida/Resident-urges-council-to-move-Independence-Day-fireworks-away-from-beaches-consider-drone-shows-to-protect-wildlife","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551731-11df3cecc96aa7fedb83471c503bfcdb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424070&Signature=DTX4IZsVjYFHRLKqihunDNhl5mM9CQzymyEWvPh7VLJl-dxmzw~6n4MzVWcPFk63B5f07N3o1t~NZpLykvx2eQL090SzNs0niCgE3F9D7hmoBrCxGI7e2QaonN8NOL3gIzvHSghanR6wXPo6aJKL3~mX6jr3vFVKWM-fO1mbhXrDzHQUa33HtgBh9WorSRBCWbjCE77WYxntW4Dw~5fxQrywt4-Q5dsw1M29BKRHYnADrtv~0qcNxUpCYKNYAT5AXw7j84mH5E5VpUoHJzoQjsnlFsYi7Q4Z3rnfcMgA088HoHN978K32rZhcg7Gin5pXLDpEalAa9d-JQwr4XTlFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Venice resident asked the council to consider alternatives to the current Independence Day fireworks plan to reduce harm to nesting shorebirds, sea turtles and other wildlife.

Kristen Hoffman, identifying herself as a Venice resident and volunteer, said July is an important nesting month for birds and sea turtles and that fireworks cause stress, panic and pollution during breeding seasons. Hoffman urged the council to consider alternative display locations away from sensitive beach habitat, to restrict personal fireworks and to explore drone light shows as a lower‑impact option. She provided council copies of a New York Times article summarizing studies of fireworks impacts.

Hoffman said the city could better enforce existing fireworks restrictions and consider moving city‑sponsored displays inland or to locations with better parking and fewer environmental impacts. She offered a list of Florida cities that have used drone displays and noted the cost of drone shows is declining.

Ending: Hoffman asked council to consider these alternatives for next year and to consult wildlife and volunteer monitoring groups in planning future events.","A Venice resident told the council that July fireworks harm nesting shorebirds and sea turtles and urged city staff to consider inland locations, stricter enforcement and drone light shows as alternatives.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6551735,"City, county and community discuss Curry Creek maintenance; council approves maintenance action and seeks interlocal exchange",1149,6191000,7340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329467-1627bb55fa7392e3c087d2a2860d2e84&start=6191&end=7340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329467-1627bb55fa7392e3c087d2a2860d2e84/thumbnail_6191000.jpg","/articles/6551735/Venice/Sarasota-County/Florida/City-county-and-community-discuss-Curry-Creek-maintenance-council-approves-maintenance-action-and-seeks-interlocal-exchange","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551735-a9b84a76b979cc3a81ce713932f4265d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424070&Signature=CbdAH17Htgi10RD9zZAMJ79K8Ra4gfjCP8lDiCYNV2qr7lR5dNwljQkGEdSjU~gGQHsGk7jrXBF8wlQ41PDylk6I0A2iWePrNjetl-JIq0n49tC66paHtm0S~rRvy6nr1Ys7QvQsd7Q0QwYn8toWgyMJ~Iq6Pw7uF-KPo89XcvhJPSe19iOE5jVBWRxu3syEhop8Tza5nJw74J6D3aBXBl6ufHTtfOAbXAwrtWQRouDxlyPJqWO1Jynkx8SycdEwKph1YTVUEy8FPrqiVCHqhIZ-zbACgLY3y9RgIdnVGsejUFxegUiUwdRY22YPeqUsnydN5XnfAxN1TNFNFwn6nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff reported on a multi‑party effort to identify ownership and maintenance responsibilities along Curry Creek and related channels and described plans to use a U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) grant for debris removal this fall.

John Kramer (acting city engineer) and stormwater engineer Steve Barrons presented a county map showing segmented maintenance responsibilities and noted the city currently performs quarterly maintenance on three creek segments — generally from the Legacy Trail Bridge to the U.S. 41 bypass. The city said the NRCS grant will reimburse up to about $360,000 for debris‑removal work on Curry Creek and Hatchet Creek; any construction or utility improvements required by future development are the property owner’s responsibility.

Staff also described ongoing, staff‑level talks with Sarasota County about an interlocal maintenance exchange that would shift responsibility for some Curry Creek segments and Deer Town Gully between the county and city; any final exchange would require approval by both governing bodies. Staff said the privately owned Sawgrass portion remains the property owner’s responsibility but acknowledged community concerns that leaving that segment out of a broader maintenance agreement could create a “weak link.”

Public comment and council action
- Steve Carr, representing the Central Venice Coalition, urged the council to immediately add a 0.45‑mile Sawgrass segment to the city’s quarterly maintenance program to preserve continuous flow and reduce flood risk. He said Sawgrass would continue to maintain its internal banks but that the channel’s flow must be preserved for the benefit of the larger community.
- Council Member Rachel Frank moved to approve agenda item 25‑0287 (the Curry Creek maintenance action); the motion was seconded by Council Member Rick Howard and passed unanimously. The council subsequently approved related items (25‑0288 and 25‑0289) by unanimous votes.

Ending: Staff said the NRCS debris removal work is expected to begin in the fall and that staff will prepare proposed terms if the city and county pursue a maintenance‑responsibility exchange. Council directed staff to continue coordination with Sarasota County and interested community groups.","Staff updated council on Curry Creek maintenance responsibilities, an NRCS‑funded debris removal grant and early talks with Sarasota County about exchanging maintenance responsibilities; council approved the next maintenance action unanimously.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6551740,"Council approves proposed maximum millage rate; Smith votes no, urges rollback to 3.73 mills",322,2553000,2875000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329467-1627bb55fa7392e3c087d2a2860d2e84&start=2553&end=2875","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329467-1627bb55fa7392e3c087d2a2860d2e84/thumbnail_2553000.jpg","/articles/6551740/Venice/Sarasota-County/Florida/Council-approves-proposed-maximum-millage-rate-Smith-votes-no-urges-rollback-to-373-mills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551740-549046b447c25ea3c1b8420626d87265/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424070&Signature=nPP4gb4bCRNK9RNay5jXqoqtRNHnFJHhFIXQKhmnhAS6-Uwa2Q-wciC34mSYcUI5tvpzzJj75WDzHaNeiNg6eXjT~~ugAByULjNZlM9iVGYC-FymUq~p~gmmYwj~yd~L50gDc7r0VEAKmKOxHP7jEnyFCVymVPNO3zVLXg2M-UvbkiT-M9yG4O~UsjF2YvlhNn61iaLKRGkfPy8cjDuK~Hu-nLpt-5XkZWLJp-J~H3~pnrffExsakhsIjhH80UjeWua0OkVJcCpFE8dApM390cOrXtvTMjYAv1E9lVfieBDkeX0GxURxXW0N2d7blRer76GMPF8AvQXpHq2qPcw0zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Venice City Council voted 6–1 to set the proposed property‑tax rate for public notice and hearings, rejecting Council Member Ron Smith’s motion to set the maximum rate at the rollback level of 3.73 mills.

Smith, who removed the item from the consent agenda for discussion, said the city could reach the rollback rate without drawing on reserves and cited state calls for property‑tax relief. \"I cannot support this proposed property tax rate because it ignores the governor's call and the legislators' insistence that we provide relief after a decade of skyrocketing property assessments,\" Smith said. He noted taxable assessments had risen from roughly $3.5 billion to $7.7 billion in the city.

Council Member Rachel Frank responded that making campaign promises to cut taxes is easy but that concrete budget line items must be identified to achieve a meaningful millage reduction. The city attorney reminded council that setting the rate today establishes the maximum rate that may be advertised and that final decisions are made at budget hearings later this year.

The council then moved to approve the rates and public‑hearing dates as required by the state's TRIM process; the motion passed 6–1.

Ending: The vote sets the advertised maximum millage rate and public‑hearing schedule; the final millage will be adopted during the budget hearings this fall after additional budget deliberations.","The City Council set its proposed property tax rate for advertisement and public hearing, approving the staff‑recommended maximum rate despite one council member urging a rollback to reduce homeowner bills.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6551744,"Council approves zoning and comp-plan changes to create 'Planned Public Hospital' district for Sarasota Memorial Venice",1659,2997000,4656000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5329467-1627bb55fa7392e3c087d2a2860d2e84&start=2997&end=4656","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5329467-1627bb55fa7392e3c087d2a2860d2e84/thumbnail_2997000.jpg","/articles/6551744/Venice/Sarasota-County/Florida/Council-approves-zoning-and-comp-plan-changes-to-create-Planned-Public-Hospital-district-for-Sarasota-Memorial-Venice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551744-de7e5504e74ea95ca9fa7bc45a459a3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770424070&Signature=ULhI82UuY76XB-LIKuuGv3dRhXjAe0Knt33n1MWNYM5i-4y3R822LqlLhg0obcjF3jloe6qoWXaPeZM~GDbdIHv1BLeeo1TARuN~1f0oNQl0~l-V6bmZBf3qg-zLUOq5QJbI0g2Jn03kxDz1~S6-07TS0nC8wnS13JsdqjmNtUWxqmr-1LAjVd1Hax4eHsE6cuoR2y1ftYH-lKdN4n4N4pAVnssDQfEwlT7dpf1Xv1KS5RgTLB9wj-sLEvfKith46wKtUpLCQ1A~FpE7BHXM-gvEbv0JwJpxs1OrbHh2O-fr0QezZtC7wlLBSgkhP~l0awqg~uZ4a-XyvwxOrP~wxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Venice City Council voted this morning to permit Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH) to rezone its Venice campus to a new Planned Public Hospital (PPH) district and to transmit a related comprehensive-plan amendment, allowing a taller, denser hospital campus at 2600 E. Laurel Road.

The actions — a land‑development text amendment, a comprehensive‑plan amendment and a zoning map amendment — were approved on first reading after staff and the applicant said entitlements would align SMH Venice with other SMH campuses. The rezoning passed 6–1, with Council Member Ron Smith casting the lone no vote.

The rezoning and plan changes would allow a maximum building height of 150 feet (up from the city’s typical 84-foot maximum) and increase the maximum floor‑area ratio (FAR) for the site to 3.0, according to staff and the applicant. The property is roughly 65 acres and is designated Mixed Use Corridor in the city’s future‑land‑use map.

Why it matters: Council members and hospital representatives said the changes would let SMH plan vertically for efficient hospital operations and future services for south Sarasota County. Opponents warned a 150‑foot height limit and a tripling of FAR would alter the corridor’s scale and called for more public review of traffic and visual impacts.

What staff, the applicant and council said
- Britney Smith, planner for the City of Venice, told council the text amendment and comp‑plan revision \"are consistent with the overreaching intent\" of the Laurel Road mixed‑use strategies and that the application had been reviewed by the technical review committee.
- Jackson Boone, attorney for the applicant, said the rezoning is intended to implement the hospital’s binding master plan and to match entitlements already granted at other SMH campuses. He argued vertical stacking is a standard hospital design that shortens internal travel distances and improves operational efficiency.
- Council Member Ron Smith opposed the package, saying, \"This is not something to be done lightly. ... This is the third amendment to the comprehensive plan since we adopted the new comprehensive plan ... This is a massive change to our comprehensive plan.\" Smith also said the proposed height increase “would change the entire scale of our city.”
- Supporters, including Council Members Rick Howard and Jim Bolt, said expanding hospital services locally is a priority for residents and that vertical design can be more efficient for patient care and response times.

Votes and next steps
- Ordinance 2025‑26 (text amendment creating the PPH district) was approved on first reading and scheduled for final reading (motion by Council Member Kevin Engelke; seconded by Vice Mayor Jim Bolt). The first‑reading vote passed unanimously.
- Ordinance 2025‑27 (comprehensive plan amendment recognizing the PPH district and modifying intensity standards) was approved on first reading and transmitted to the Florida Department of Commerce for state review; vote 6–1 (Smith opposed).
- Ordinance 2025‑28 (zoning map amendment rezoning 2600 E. Laurel Road to PPH with binding master plan modifications) was approved on first reading; vote 6–1 (Smith opposed).

Council and staff emphasized that site‑level requirements — updated transportation impact analyses and utility master planning — will be completed at the site‑plan and development‑plan stage. Staff also noted the hospital currently meets an approved Phase‑1 trip generation threshold (179 peak‑hour trips for the currently approved phase) and that further analyses will be required if development exceeds that level.

Ending: The items were approved on first reading; final readings and state review are next steps. If adopted, the entitlements would permit SMH Venice to plan a vertically oriented, larger campus intended to expand local health services.","The Venice City Council approved a package of land‑use actions on first reading to create a new Planned Public Hospital (PPH) zoning district for Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Venice campus, permitting greater building height and density after debate over scale and traffic.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Venice City Council, July 8, 2025 — key motions and outcomes

Resident urges council to move Independence Day fireworks away from beaches, consider drone shows to protect wildlife

City, county and community discuss Curry Creek maintenance; council approves maintenance action and seeks interlocal exchange

Council approves proposed maximum millage rate; Smith votes no, urges rollback to 3.73 mills

Council approves zoning and comp-plan changes to create 'Planned Public Hospital' district for Sarasota Memorial Venice