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Sarasota County, FL

Sarasota County public meetings in 2025

19 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.

Thu Dec 4, 2025

VAB-Reguler

Board to ratify $15,160 legal counsel invoice and approve meeting minutes

The Sarasota County Value Adjustment Board will hold its third organizational meeting to ratify a $15,160 invoice for legal counsel and approve minutes from the August 28, 2025 meeting. The board will also discuss procedures for electronic appearances at hearings and local administrative procedures.

value-adjustment-boardlegal-counselminuteselectronic-hearingsadministrative-procedures
✓ Decided: VAB approves electronic hearing procedures effective Jan. 1, 2026

The Sarasota County Value Adjustment Board held an organizational meeting and approved all agenda items unanimously (4-0). This included ratifying $15,160 in legal counsel invoices, approving the August 28, 2025 minutes, adopting electronic hearing procedures effective January 1, 2026, and approving updated local administrative procedures. The chair also noted no objection to initiating a competitive bid for the VAB Legal Counsel position, with coordination through the County Attorney's office.

Thu Dec 4, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to consider land use change for 2,432.9± acres at Winchester Ranch

The Planning Commission will hold public hearings on two Unified Development Code amendments and one large-scale comprehensive plan amendment. The body will also elect its 2026 officers and approve the upcoming meeting schedule.

zoningland-usehousingwinchester-ranchunified-development-code
✓ Decided: Planning Commission elects 2026 officers, approves UDC freeboard amendment

The Sarasota County Planning Commission elected officers for 2026: Emmalee Legler as Chair, John LaCivita as Vice Chair, and Justin Taylor as Chair Pro Tem, all by 8-0 votes. The Commission also approved UDC Text Amendment No. 2025-15, which allows up to three feet of voluntary freeboard in height and daylight plane regulations. The public comment period was opened and closed without comment.

Thu Nov 20, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to vote on three major zoning changes and a medical marijuana dispensary

The Sarasota County Planning Commission will hold public hearings on four items: a special exception for a medical marijuana dispensary at 7349 S. Tamiami Trail, a rezone for the Mandarin Road Honeycomb project, and a Small Area Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the Sarasota National development. The commission will also approve minutes from the previous meeting.

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✓ Decided: Planning Commission recommends approval of 412-unit rezone and Sarasota National expansion

The Sarasota County Planning Commission recommended approval of Rezone Petition No. 25-05, changing 412 units east of Mandarin Road from OQUE-1 to RSF-2, with a 4-1 vote. It also recommended approval of the Sarasota National DOCC Amendment No. 5, adding 258 residential units, along with related comprehensive plan and rezone petitions, in a 4-1 vote. A special exception for a medical marijuana dispensary at 7349 S. Tamiami Trail was approved 5-0. The commission approved the November 6, 2025 minutes and discussed the meeting schedule.

Thu Nov 6, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to consider rezoning and land use change for 1600 Banyan Drive

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing regarding a privately-initiated land use amendment and rezone petition for a site at 1600 Banyan Drive. The body will also consider approving the minutes from the October 16, 2025, meeting.

zoningland-usecommercial-developmentpublic-hearing
✓ Decided: Planning Commission recommends approval of Banyan Drive CPA and rezone

The Sarasota County Planning Commission recommended approval of a small area comprehensive plan amendment and rezone for 1600 Banyan Drive, changing the future land use from Moderate Density Residential to Commercial Community Center and the zoning from RSF-3/CG to CG. The recommendation includes a condition to keep the use as a restaurant and remove language for a coffee/donut shop with a drive-through window. The motion passed 7-1, with Thaxton voting no. The commission also approved the October 16, 2025 minutes unanimously.

Thu Oct 16, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to hear zoning changes for Palmer Ranch and Buchan’s Bayside

The Sarasota County Planning Commission will review multiple zoning petitions, including a Small Area Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Palmer Ranch Parcel 6C and a rezone for Buchan’s Bayside Phase II. The meeting also includes a proposed Unified Development Code amendment clarifying accessory dwelling unit rules.

zoningrezoningpalmer-ranchbuchan’s-baysideaccessory-dwelling-unitsplanning-commission
✓ Decided: Planning Commission recommends approval of Palmer Ranch hotel, apartments, rezoning

The Sarasota County Planning Commission recommended approval of a large Palmer Ranch development proposal, including a hotel, apartments, and commercial zoning, with a 6-1 vote. It also recommended approval of a UDC amendment clarifying ADU and guest house rules, and denied a separate Englewood-area development proposal. The commission approved the October 2, 2025 minutes.

Thu Oct 2, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to consider rezone for Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider a rezone petition for the Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club expansion. The body will also review minutes from the September 18, 2025, meeting.

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✓ Decided: Planning Commission approves Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club expansion rezoning

The Sarasota County Planning Commission approved Rezone Petition No. 25-06 for the Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club expansion at 8801 Stoneybrook Boulevard, changing the zoning from RSF-2/PUD with stipulations to RSF-2/PUD with amended stipulations. The vote was 7-0. The commission also approved the minutes from the September 18, 2025 meeting and noted that future meetings will be held at the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center.

Thu Sep 18, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to vote on rezoning 121 Christie Avenue and Siesta Key demolition rules

The Sarasota County Planning Commission will hold public hearings on two items: a rezoning request for a property at 121 Christie Avenue and a text amendment to allow voluntary demolition and rebuilding of multi-family buildings in the Siesta Key Overlay District. The meeting also includes approval of previous meeting minutes and commission reports.

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✓ Decided: Planning Commission recommends denial of Secluded Gem rezoning (9-0)

The Sarasota County Planning Commission voted 9-0 to recommend denial of Rezone Petition No. 25-03 for the Secluded Gem property at 121 Christie Avenue, Sarasota, which sought to change zoning from RSF-3 to RMF-2. The commission also voted 9-0 to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners not incorporate the expansion of voluntary demolition for multi-family buildings in the Siesta Key Overlay District, limiting such demolition to involuntary destruction from natural disasters. Minutes from September 4, 2025, were approved unanimously.

Thu Sep 4, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to consider mixed-use project with 190 units in Venice

The Planning Commission will hold public hearings on several rezoning and special exception petitions. Key discussions include a mixed-use development in Venice and a place of worship with schools in Sarasota. The body will also consider requests to waive neighborhood workshop time requirements.

zoningland-usehousingcommercial-developmentpublic-hearings
✓ Decided: Planning Commission denies 190-unit Venice mixed-use project

The Sarasota County Planning Commission recommended denial of a five-part application for a mixed-use project at 2575 E. Venice Ave., Venice, including a small area comprehensive plan amendment, critical area plan amendments, a rezone, and a special exception for height. The commission also recommended denial of a rezone petition for 1407 East Manasota Beach Road, Englewood. Two neighborhood workshop time waivers were approved, and two special exception petitions were recommended for approval.

Thu Aug 21, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to hear rezoning and tower proposals including Walmart site

The Sarasota County Planning Commission will hold public hearings on three petitions: a rezone for the Walmart at 4381 Cattlemen Road, a special exception for a garden center expansion at the same site, and a special exception for a 35-foot-plus telecommunications tower in the Fruitville area. The meeting also includes a procedural vote on prior meeting minutes and a waiver request for a rezone petition near East Manasota.

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✓ Decided: Planning Commission recommends denial of cell tower special exception

The Sarasota County Planning Commission recommended denial of Special Exception Petition No. 1898 for a monopole telecommunications tower over 35 feet in an OUE-1 zone, citing inconsistency with the comprehensive plan and incompatibility with the neighborhood. The commission also recommended approval of a rezoning and special exception for a Walmart expansion, and approved a waiver of the neighborhood workshop requirement for Rezone Petition 25-01.

Mon Jul 7, 2025

VAB-Regular

Value Adjustment Board to set 2025 hearing procedures and fees

The Value Adjustment Board is holding an organizational meeting to prepare for the 2025 season. The board will discuss hearing locations, electronic hearing technology, and the impact of HB 7031 on procedures.

taxeslegal-feesgovernment-procedureproperty-valuation
✓ Decided: VAB sets $50 filing fee, approves legal payments

The Value Adjustment Board approved a $50 filing fee for petitions, ratified payments for legal counsel and special magistrates, and approved prior minutes and amended 2024 recommended orders. The board also discussed changes from House Bill 7031, including electronic hearings, and agreed to work on an action plan for the 2025 season.

Mon Jul 7, 2025

VAB-Regular

Value Adjustment Board to appoint Special Magistrates for 2025 appeals

The Value Adjustment Board is holding an organizational meeting to establish procedures for 2025 property value petition hearings. The board will appoint Special Magistrates and review the rules governing the appeals process.

property-taxappealsgovernment-administrationlegal-fees
✓ Decided: VAB adopts $50 filing fee, appoints 2025 special magistrates

The Sarasota County Value Adjustment Board held an organizational meeting and unanimously approved routine items, including ratifying legal and special magistrate invoices, approving prior minutes, adopting local administrative procedures, and authorizing Resolution No. 2025-004 to adopt the $50 petition filing fee for future years. The board also appointed special magistrates for the 2025 petition appeals process and designated VAB Attorney Edwards to consider 'good cause' for late-filed petitions. No substantive policy decisions were made beyond these procedural approvals.

Thu Jun 19, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to consider business park and rezoning requests

The Planning Commission will hold public hearings on three land-use petitions, including a proposed business park and a plant nursery. The body will also vote to update its internal rules and procedures regarding officer elections and workshop notifications.

zoningland-usebusiness-parkrezoningpublic-hearings
✓ Decided: Planning Commission recommends denial of Bee Ridge business park plan

The Sarasota County Planning Commission recommended denial of the I-75 Corridor Plan Amendment for a proposed business park north of Bee Ridge Road, voting 7-0. The related rezone petition was not acted on due to the denial. The commission also recommended approval of a rezone at 2344 Bee Ridge Road and a special exception at 4151 Proctor Road, and adopted updated rules and procedures.

Thu May 15, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to consider 110-ft multi-family project on 330 acres at I-75 and University Parkway

The Planning Commission will hold two public hearings: one for a church steeple height exception and another for a large multi-family development near I-75 and University Parkway. The UTC Special Exception would allow multi-family structures up to 110 feet tall on 330 acres in a commercial zone. Commissioners will also vote on the May 1, 2025 meeting minutes.

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✓ Decided: Planning Commission recommends approval of two special exception petitions

The Sarasota County Planning Commission recommended approval of Special Exception Petition No. 1912, allowing a place of worship with a 63-foot steeple at 1900 Meadowood Street, with one stipulation, by a 7-1 vote. It also recommended approval of Special Exception Petition No. 1892, allowing free-standing multi-family structures up to 110 feet tall on a 330.2-acre site near I-75 and University Parkway, with fifteen stipulations, by an 8-0 vote. The commission approved the May 1, 2025 minutes and discussed the meeting schedule, including a cancelled June 5 meeting.

Thu May 1, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to consider 117-room hotel on Twin Laurel Blvd in Nokomis

The Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on a four-part application to develop a 117-room, five-story hotel on 11.12 acres at Twin Laurel Blvd and Laurel Road in Nokomis. The proposal includes a Small Area Comprehensive Plan Amendment, an I-75 Corridor Plan Amendment, a Rezone, and a Special Exception to allow a height of 65 feet. Commissioners will also consider approval of minutes from the prior meeting.

zoningcomprehensive-planhoteldevelopmentpublic-hearingnokomissarasota-county
✓ Decided: Planning Commission advances 117-room hotel proposal to county board

The Sarasota County Planning Commission voted 4-3 to recommend approval of a four-part application for a 117-room, five-story hotel on Twin Laurel Boulevard, including a small area comprehensive plan amendment, critical area plan amendment, rezone, and special exception for height up to 65 feet. A motion to deny the plan amendments failed 3-4. The recommendation will be transmitted to the Board of County Commissioners.

Thu Apr 17, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to consider medical marijuana dispensary at 2460 Stickney Point Road

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to decide on a special exception petition for a medical marijuana dispensary. The commission will also review minutes from the February 20, 2025 meeting.

zoningmedical-marijuanapublic-hearingland-use
✓ Decided: Planning Commission recommends approval of medical marijuana dispensary

The Sarasota County Planning Commission recommended approval of Special Exception Petition No. 1907 for a medical marijuana dispensary at 2460 Stickney Point Road, with one stipulation and favorable findings of fact, by a 7-0 vote. The commission also approved the February 20, 2025 meeting minutes and elected new officers, including Adam Maio as Chair, Emmalee Legler as Vice Chair, and John LaCivita as Chair Pro Tem.

Thu Feb 20, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to consider Conservation Subdivision policy changes for rural areas

The Sarasota County Planning Commission will hold public hearings on three items: a special exception for a church steeple, a rezoning and land-use change at Potter Park Drive, and a privately initiated amendment to expand Conservation Subdivision development in the Rural Heritage/Estate 2050 Resource Management Area. The commission will also consider approving minutes from February 6, 2025, and receive commission reports.

planning-commissionzoningspecial-exceptionrezonecomprehensive-plan-amendmentconservation-subdivisionpublic-hearingsarasota-county
✓ Decided: Planning Commission denies rural density increase and conservation subdivision changes

The Sarasota County Planning Commission recommended denial of a proposed comprehensive plan amendment (CPA No. 2024B) and related UDC Amendment No. 52 that would have expanded conservation subdivision development with increased density in the Rural Heritage/Estate 2050 RMA overlay. The commission also recommended approval of a special exception for a place of worship with a 74-foot steeple, and approved a land use change and rezoning for properties on Potter Park Drive. The meeting included procedural actions and a vote to correct an earlier vote.

Thu Feb 6, 2025

PC-Regular

Two tall telecommunication towers sought in rural zones

The Planning Commission will hold public hearings on two special exception petitions to allow telecommunication towers over 85 feet in rural OUE-1 zoning. The first is a 135-foot tower near Hawkins and Telegraph roads, the second a 199-foot tower on Myakka Road. The Commission will also install a new commissioner and reappoint two others.

planning-commissionspecial-exceptiontelecommunication-towerszoningpublic-hearingrural-areasarasota-county
✓ Decided: Planning Commission recommends approval of 135-ft tower, denial of 199-ft tower

The Sarasota County Planning Commission recommended approval of Special Exception Petition No. 1896 for a 135-foot telecommunication tower with one stipulation, and recommended denial of Petition No. 1903 for a 199-foot tower due to negative findings on parcel and compatibility. Both votes were 6-0. The commission also approved the January 16, 2025 minutes and authorized a letter to the Board of County Commissioners regarding neighborhood workshop notices.

Thu Jan 16, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to consider rezoning for playground and two special exceptions

The Planning Commission will hold public hearings on a land use amendment for a community playground and two special exception petitions. The body will also review minutes from the January 2, 2025 meeting.

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✓ Decided: Planning Commission recommends approvals for rezoning, two special exceptions

The Sarasota County Planning Commission recommended approval of a small area comprehensive plan amendment and rezone for a playground at Bee Ridge and Lorraine Roads, a special exception for a church expansion in Nokomis, and a special exception for an animal shelter on Clark Road. All votes were 7-0. The commission also approved the January 2, 2025 minutes.

Thu Jan 2, 2025

PC-Regular

Planning Commission to consider rezoning 548 acres in Lakewood Ranch Southeast for single-family homes

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Rezone Petition 24-10 to rezone approximately 548.3 acres near University Parkway and Fruitville Road from Open Use Rural to Residential Single-Family Planned Unit Development. A related Neighborhood Waiver request will also be considered. Additionally, a public hearing is scheduled for Special Exception Petition 1893 to allow a cemetery in the OUE-1 zone district at All Saints Catholic Cemetery. The meeting will also approve prior minutes and receive commission reports.

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✓ Decided: Planning Commission recommends approval of 548-acre Lakewood Ranch rezoning

The Sarasota County Planning Commission recommended approval of Rezone Petition No. 24-10, rezoning approximately 548.3 acres south of University Parkway and north of Fruitville Road from OUR to RSF-2/PUD, with three stipulations and three modifications, by a 6-0 vote. The commission also recommended approval of a waiver to hold a Neighborhood Workshop within nine months for the same petition, also 6-0. A public hearing for a cemetery special exception was continued to a date uncertain. The commission approved the December 19, 2024 minutes.