Sarasota, City of

The meeting involved discussions concerning an Administrative Site Plan, a Right-of-Way Vacation, and an Alternative Parking Ratio.

The meeting included the election of the Chair and Vice Chair, resulting in Christina Shantz being appointed Chair and Sarah Baldwin appointed Vice-Chair. A key discussion revolved around the purpose and responsibilities of the CTOC, which was established to annually review expenditures from the Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) extension, ensuring compliance with County Ordinances for Phases II, III, and IV. The Finance Director provided an overview of documentation compliance, the structure of the CTOC book, the impact of Hurricanes Milton & Helene on projects, and the status of Penny IV funding. Discussions also covered how projects are selected through Townhall Meetings and voter approval, the status of the 25th and 26th Oversight Committee reports due to the Commission, and clarification regarding funding sources for Ringling Bridge damage repairs. Direction was given regarding the preparation of the subsequent report to the Commission.

The community meeting focused on a Comprehensive Plan amendment concerning Illustration LU-20, which designates "Primary Grid Streets." The proposed amendment seeks to remove this designation from segments of Morrill Street, Laurel Street, and Oak Street, specifically from a point 50 ft. east of their intersection with S. Orange Avenue easterly to Rawls Avenue. The context for this amendment relates to development challenges, particularly for the Woman's Exchange property, where current primary street regulations (e.g., 5ft setback, building height minimums, and vehicle access restrictions) impede expansion and preservation efforts. Discussion confirmed the intent of the change is to provide developers with more flexibility regarding vehicle access, potentially reducing traffic on the narrow Rawls Avenue by allowing access from Morrill, Laurel, or Oak Streets. The process moving forward includes a public hearing before the Planning Board, followed by City Commission approval, estimated to take approximately six months.

The meeting featured a presentation by Larry Kelleher of Sarasota History Alive and Ron McCarty regarding the renovation project for the Mable Ringling Memorial Fountain. Discussions detailed fundraising efforts, site excavation plans, the role of Florida State University's Master Craftsman Program in creating a cast of the original statue, and coordination with various community groups. Board members also discussed pending state legislation concerning archeological sites. A significant portion of the meeting involved staff presentation and board discussion regarding the Downtown Improvement District's (D.I.D.) proposal for the Downtown Streetscape project, focusing on proposed improvements along Main Street, including sidewalk widening, brick surfacing, lighting upgrades, and parking configuration changes across four segments. Board members provided input concerning historical accuracy and material choices, particularly regarding the use of brick sidewalks versus materials reflective of specific historical periods for Sarasota. The D.I.D. representative confirmed ongoing opportunities for board comment as technical plans develop. Additionally, the Board noted a member's upcoming resignation.

The meeting began with the election of a temporary Chair due to the absence of the Chair and Vice Chair. Key discussions centered on an update to the Special Event Ordinance, detailing restrictions on permit frequency, location usage, sound levels (not exceeding 85 decibels measured at 100 feet), and duration, particularly for events involving alcohol permits. Public input expressed concerns regarding congestion, noise, and the need for better oversight of events. The Board also reviewed the Downtown Parking Report, which highlighted the successful rollout of a new gateless garage system and the exploration of establishing a two-hour parking limit on Palm Avenue as a pilot program. In New Business, the Board provided direction to rework a conceptual Downtown District merchant map design to incorporate DID boundaries, parking locations, and hotels, utilizing a tri-fold format with a QR code linking to an online directory. The Board nominated a Director to serve on the selection committee for a future Marketing and Communication vendor RFQ. Furthermore, the Board reviewed the proposed FY 2025-2026 budget and approved two Public Realm Activation Grant Applications: awarding $15,000 for the 'Light Up the Night Holiday Celebration' and $92,000 for eight 'Fresh Fridays -- Season 5' events, contingent upon the execution of grant agreements. Finally, the Board discussed coordinating a combined Black Friday / Shop Small Saturday campaign and agreed to postpone the discussion regarding enhanced landscape replacement plants.