Planning Board Victory- 3/15/22
During this week’s planning board meeting on March 15, Chairman Barry Snyder and the other members changed their recommended building heights for downtown Venice to a 35’ maximum. Exemptions are still a possibility, however this is a great step towards preserving our historic district and also a great example of officials responding to public pressure.
On Wednesday there was a Gondolier article about the meeting that began “the battle isn’t over.” The Venice City council has the final vote on the Land Development Regulations, so nothing is final until they accept or reject the 35’ maximum height recommendation. The petition will go ahead until that vote is cast, in order to keep council members apprised of public opinion.
Since we have their attention right now, though, perhaps we should press the many points of the Land Development Regulations that remain problematic such as preservation, conservation and environmental issues. The LDR will regulate our city for decades to come. The council needs public feedback on many issues that the planning commission currently blocks.
For instance, we live in a delicate environment so why is the planning board ignoring several recommendations by our own Environmental Advisory Board? These include Florida Green Building standards (LEED certifications), Florida Friendly planting, water quality protections such as reducing nutrient pollution, endangered species protections on lots under 5 acres, etc.
Are these also issues you care about? Or do you care about preserving Sarasota School of Architecture buildings that exist in Venice? Please keep giving your feedback and taking part in this process of planning our city, as well as letting me know which direction you want this campaign to go.
Here is a link to the Gondolier article about Tuesday’s meeting by senior writer Bob Mudge: