The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

The latest real estate trends for the area, courtesy of Sandy Allen: Median sale prices for single family homes sold in Sarasota County in November 2013 were up 20.6 percent over last November, a clear sign that recent price appreciation in the single family home market is continuing unabated. Single family home prices were at $187,000 this November compared to only $155,000 last November. The median sale price for single family for the 12 month period ending Nov. 30, 2013 was $181,700, up 23 percent over last year at this time ($147,000). Comparing November to October, prices were up slightly for single family from $185,776 last month. ... Total property sales in Sarasota County continued to moderate in November 2013. Overall property sales stood at 760 (531 single family homes and 229 condos), compared to 818 in October 2013 (582 and 236, respectively). In November 2012, 552 single family homes and 278 condos were sold. "The November 2013 statistics indicate that the local m...

The lights at Grace Baptist through Dec. 26th

The agent for the Canadian owner/developer of the Bee Ridge Park of Commerce -- the site opposite the entrance to Lake Sarasota -- offered a more detailed, pared-down version of a plan he presented in February . The plan now calls for creating a 77,400-square-foot commercial building and two restaurants on land on the north and east sides of the site designated for a Racetrac gas station. The presentation by Peter Dailey contained a few surprises, and was somewhat different from what appeared on earlier paperwork submitted to the county planning department. This is a summary of key items. A longer analysis will come later. 1. The petition seeks permission to build a single commercial building about 77,400 square feet in size. Earlier, the developer had wanted two separate buildings. The single structure now proposed would have one floor, eliminating a second-story residential floor sought in earlier stages of the plan. 2. The developer seeks to raise a limit to 33,700 square f...

UPDATE OF THE UPDATE: This meeting has been rescheduled for Dec. 16th, 6 pm, Sarasota Alliance Church. [Former UPDATE: This meeting has been postponed by the developer's agent, citing "an advertising glitch." They are seeking to reschedule for mid-December - stay tuned.] A second Neighborhood Workshop focusing on a request to rezone a portion of the Bee Ridge Park of Commerce (the land for which the Racetrac and other businesses are planned) has been scheduled. It is to be held Monday, Nov. 25th at 6 pn at Sarasota Alliance Church -- the same building where we hold our quarterly Lake Sarasota Community Group meetings. A previous meeting with Peter M. Dailey, representative of TerraCap, owner of the Bee Ridge Park of Commerce, was held on Feb. 20th, 2013, and was  reported here.   Video here. This new proposal is similar -- a request to rezone a portion of the property, some 8.8 acres, to Commercial Neighborhood from PCD. No explanation for why this is sought has ...

Welcome to Sarasota County's community e-newsletter. If you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, contact us at  communityconnections@scgov. net.     Follow us on Twitter! Sarasota County has expanded its presence into social media with an updated Twitter site. Follow us now for up-to-the-minute updates. Join the Sandy Claws Beach Run   SATURDAY :  The 37th annual Sandy Claws Beach Run is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14 , at Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Sarasota.    Public invited to time capsule celebration   SATURDAY :  Join Sarasota County's Viva Florida 500 Time Capsule interment celebration  Saturday, Dec. 14 , at  10 a.m.  at Historic Spanish Point, 337 N. Tamiami Trail, Osprey.    Last chance to register for 8th annual Sustainable Communities Workshop Seats are still available for this year's workshop, which features national experts and...

The Lake Sarasota Community Group meets Thursday Dec. 12 at 7 pm, Sarasota Alliance Church - in the meeting room facility behind the church. Treasurer's report (Ellie) Update on roadwork timing, demolitions, Bee Ridge Rd. utilities, FDOT, Racetrac, Neighborhood Workshop set for Dec. 16 (Tom) Update on Lake Sarasota sign, Community Yard sale, etc. (Sandy) Grants (Ellie) Sheriff's Report for Nov. if available (Ted) New Business  Photos of the new style Racetrac, likely similar to what Racetrac plans to build opposite th entrance to Lake Sarasota:

Dear Lake, Welcome to Sarasota County's community e-newsletter. If you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, contact us at  communityconnections@scgov. net.     Follow us on Twitter! Sarasota County has expanded its presence into social media with an updated Twitter site. Follow us now for up-to-the-minute updates. Holiday Arts and Crafts Show returns to Englewood Sports Complex     SATURDAY :  The Arts and Crafts Show will be held on  Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.  at Englewood Sports Complex, 1300 South River Road, Englewood. Join the Sandy Claws Beach Run   The Sarasota County Parks and Recreation sponsored 37th annual Sandy Claws Beach Run is scheduled for  Saturday, Dec. 14 , at Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Sarasota.    Homeless expert submits local gap analysis    After listening to area officials' recommendations and the co...

We sadly report the news that longtime Lake Sarasota resident Jim Dunn (Lago Way) has passed. Jim was a great neighbor, always cheerful, thoughtful, and more than willing to help others. He and his wife Ruth often attended meetings of the Lake Sarasota Community Group, and participated in community events. He will be greatly missed. Our deepest condolences to Ruth and their family. James R. Dunn, 78, of Sarasota, Florida formerly of Akron, Ohio died on November 28, 2013. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at the Wiegand Brothers Funeral Home and from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Wdnesday, December 4 at the FirstSarasota Baptist Church.  Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Wednesday, December 4 at the First Sarasota Baptist Church. Jim developed Knotty Pine Estates in Sarasota and was owner of Jim's Plumbing Service for 13 years.  He is survived by his wife Ruth; a son Dan (Jan) Dunn of Tampa, FL; a daughter Carmela (Brian) Elm...

Welcome to Sarasota County's community e-newsletter. If you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, contact us at  communityconnections@scgov. net.     County offices close for Thanksgiving holiday   Sarasota County government offices, including libraries, the History Center and recreation centers, will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28, and  Friday, Nov. 29 , for the Thanksgiving holiday. Some county services will be available on Friday, Nov. 29 .  Follow us on Twitter! Sarasota County has expanded its presence into social media with an updated Twitter site. Follow us now for up-to-the-minute updates. Homeless expert submits local gap analysis    After listening to area officials' recommendations and the community's feedback, Dr. Robert Marbut, the nationally known expert on homelessness, has submitted his final report to area officials. Holiday Arts and Crafts Show returning to Englewood Sp...

The latest Realtor's report is out for the Sarasota area: Median sale prices climbed dramatically in Sarasota County in October 2013 compared to last October numbers. Single family home prices were up 11.6 percent ($185,776 this year compared to only $166,500 last year), and condo prices spiked by 20.7 percent ($175,000 this year compared to only $145,000 last October).   “There was definitely a shift in October toward single family and away from condos,” said SAR President Roger Piro. “That might be a function of the price escalation, which was far more pronounced in the condo category. Also in October, there were fewer properties on the market priced under $200,000 than last year, and more priced above $200,000. So bargain hunters have had to adjust their sights upward, where there are more deals to be found.” More here. A few additional bits about the Lake Sarasota area shared by Sandy Allen,: For sold single-family properties in the past 6 months t...

Sarasota County is planning to make some improvements to Lakeview Park and to the adjacent Paw Park . Have some ideas? They want to hear from the community. Take a moment to send your ideas to lakesarasota@gmail.com - we'll collect and forward. Deadline: Dec. 15th!

Following a trend that showed a drop in crime in September, October was also very low in activity in the neighborhood. Ted gets reports from the Sheriff and says: The Oct. 2013 Sheriff's Dept. Crime Report for Lake Sarasota shows only three reported incidents:  one burglary and two thefts.  There were no reported incidents of vandalism or juvenile disturbances. The one burglary was at 4049 Tonga, reported Oct. 25 at 6:34 p.m.  The thefts were at 4033 Ponea (auto, reported Oct. 16 at 3:07 p.m.), and at 6531 Jarvis Rd. (unknown, reported Oct. 18 at 8:14 a.m.). While there were not enough incidents to establish any patterns, there is a shift in location--the majority of the incidents occurred in the western half of Lake Sarasota.  One occurred in the eastern half.  All three occurred in the latter half of the month. Ted Cover Citizens Patrol

Welcome to Sarasota County's community e-newsletter. If you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, contact us at  communityconnections@scgov. net.     Keep Sarasota County Beautiful Volunteer Awards Recognition Dinner is  Nov. 13 Keep Sarasota County Beautiful (KSCB) will honor the groups, businesses and individuals who contributed their time in 2013 at the 25th Annual KSCB Volunteer Awards Recognition Dinner,  Wednesday, Nov. 13 , at the Venice Community Center. Government offices close for Veterans Day All Sarasota County government offices, including libraries, recreation centers and the Sarasota County History Center will be closed  Monday, Nov. 11 , in observance of Veterans Day. Green Business Partnership to hold workshop on latest marketing strategies The Sarasota Green Business Partnership will host a workshop designed to help local businesses learn the latest green marketing strategies in order...

Lots more in  The November Edition of the Friends of Sarasota County Parks News .

Welcome to Sarasota County's community e-newsletter. If you have questions, ideas for articles, or feedback on the system, contact us at  communityconnections@scgov. net.     Like us on Facebook Sarasota County is branching out. Like one or all of our pages. Sarasota County Government Emergency Management   Commissioner Christine Robinson Libraries UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County Neighborhood Services  Parks and Recreation Green Business Partnership Office of Community Redevelopment County receives award for hazardous waste collection program Sarasota County Hazardous Waste has been recognized by the 2013 North America Hazardous Materials Management Association with a Longstanding Program Excellence Award. Barefoot Beach Bazaars now accepting vendor applications Parks and Recreation is accepting arts-and-crafts vendor applications for the upcoming Barefoot Beach Bazaar season at Nokomis Beach.  Workshop o...