Planning Commission postpones hearing on Villages

SARASOTA — The Sarasota County Planning Commission on Thursday postponed its public hearing about The Villages of Lakewood Ranch South after commissioners complained they had received 62 pages of new material just before the meeting and did not have time to read it.

Commissioner Marianne Reilly said she thought the situation was unfair to the public, and suggested the postponement.

“I just think it’s the right thing to do,” she said before proposing a motion to delay the public hearing, which passed unanimously.

Commissioners said the new material included items such as e-mails from members of the public, suggestions from the staff for revising language, and loose ends from other public entities, such as the Florida Department of Transportation and the school board.

They said they had received the packet of documents about an hour before the meeting.

The commission re-set its public hearing for 6:30 p.m. April 8 at county commission chambers at the Sarasota County Administration Center.

The board was to consider an application for a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) development approval and a related rezoning for almost 5,500 acres.

Developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch Inc. wants to build the project in an area south of University Parkway, east of Interstate 75 and north of Richardson Road.

Todd Pokrywa, representing SMR, was philosophical about the commission’s decision.

“I don’t think there should be any surprises,” he said after the meeting.

“If they don’t feel comfortable, I would rather wait.”

Pokrywa said he thought commissioners needed to review the information before they considered any action on the plan.

Plans call for 5,144 dwelling units, 300,000 square feet of commercial/retail/office uses in a Village Center, 90,000 square feet of Neighborhood Center commercial uses, 60,000 square feet of public/civic space and an elementary school.

The project, which could eventually entail more than 10,000 residents, would be built in three phases, according to commission documents.

The company also sought amendments that would expand exceptions to the “greenbelt requirement” that are a part of the county’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan; “greenbelt requirements” refer to areas around the development that help define it. They also are meant to help preserve native habitats, supplement natural vegetation and protect wildlife, documents said.

The amendment also further defined conditions under which county commissioners might authorize such greenbelt exceptions, according to county documents.

The planning commission, an advisory body, makes recommendations to the Sarasota County Commission, which has the final say.