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 local leaders sharing their insights on innovative practices for sustai

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 community's feedback, Dr. Robert Marbut, the nationally known expert on ho