The Lake Sarasota Community Blog

Does anyone remember the 2050 plan? The idea was to respect and preserve the rural character of Sarasota County east of I-75. There was general agreement in favor of a concept -- that landowners could create master-planned communities east of I-75, in exchange for meeting higher standards of development and enhancing environmental protection. And, by supporting this alternative, environmentalists and others would accept development that protects and connects valuable natural assets.  Those were the goals then. How can they be remembered and embraced again? Source; Sarasota Herald Tribune 2.17.13 How's that working for us, facing the prospect of Racetrac 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

A developer is going to build up to 90,000 square feet of retail on 8 acres across the road from Lake Sarasota's entrance. They've applied to the County for rezoning in order to break ground. What will it look like?  How will it affect traffic at our entrance? What sorts of businesses will it attract other than Racetrac? How will it affect the character of Bee Ridge east of I-75? If you're wondering about these and other questions, you're not alone. The Feb. 20th public meeting is our one chance to listen, ask, and comment. Racetrac won't be there -- they plan to build under the existing zoning, but we hope to meet with them separately. The meeting with the developer is: Wednesday Feb. 20th, 6 pm , at the Disabled Vets Hall on Bee Ridge Rd., opposite Middlesex. Bring copies of your written questions. Hand them in to the County and to the developer.