Sarasota City Commission Regular Meeting – May 19, 2025

The Sarasota City Commission held a regular meeting on Monday, May 19, 2025, from 9:01 a.m. to 7:41 p.m. at City Hall. The agenda included routine approvals, legislative public hearings on a comprehensive plan amendment to facilitate the rehabilitation of the historic Mira Mar building, a downtown alley vacation, and a quasi‑judicial rezoning. The Commission also appointed an interim city manager.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Unanimously approved (5‑0) the minutes of the April 11, April 15, and April 21, 2025, special and regular meetings.
• Consent Agenda No. 1: Approved 5‑0, authorizing ten routine items including agreements for water pipeline realignment, the Bayfront Mooring Field budget ($157,037.66), fuel tax interlocal agreements, mulch supply ($97,000 annually), landscape installation services, a force main extension ($2,053,986.00), an underground easement, electrical/lighting products ($400,000 annually), and a utility billing software change order ($128,475.00).
• Consent Agenda No. 2 (Items VII.2 and VII.3): Approved 5‑0, including a budget amendment for the utilities billing software project ($130,174.00) and second reading of an ordinance to vacate a 3,225‑sq‑ft alley and 1,505‑sq‑ft easement at 300 Audubon Place.
• Item Removed (VII.1 – Special Magistrate Rate): Vice Mayor Trice pulled the item to discuss ensuring periodic review of the rate. After staff confirmed the process, Resolution 25R‑3328 increasing the Special Magistrate’s hourly rate from $125.00 to $200.00 was approved 5‑0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Citizens’ Input (Agenda Item III): John Simon, a resident of 1350 Main Street, presented a memorandum arguing that three of five street‑closure permits for loud music events near his condominium were invalid under City Code Section 30‑21. He requested the Commission direct the City Attorney to review and potentially revoke a pending permit. Howard Davis, chair of the downtown master plan ad hoc committee, provided an update on the committee’s work and invited the public to a May 28 meeting. Mary Signer, a resident, urged the Commission to require accessible and affordable senior housing in new developments.
• Public Hearing on X.1 (Mira Mar FLUM Amendment): Over 30 citizens spoke. Supporters, including the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, local business owners, and tenants of the Mira Mar, emphasized the building’s historical significance and the need for the height increase to fund the $29 million rehabilitation. Opponents, primarily residents of the Mark Sarasota condominium (about 75 in attendance), cited concerns about shadowing, loss of sunlight, compatibility, and setting a precedent for future height increases. Attorney Robert Robinson and expert planner Max Forgey presented nine findings supporting denial, arguing the amendment would be incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
• Public Hearing on X.2 (Alley Vacation): Several neighborhood representatives (Howard Kelman, David Lowe, Peter Blanton) spoke in support after the applicant modified the plan to include a 20‑ft setback, canopy trees, and 40 attainable housing units. They noted these improvements resulted from direct negotiations following the Planning Board’s denial.

Discussion Items

• IX.1 – Electronic Payment Services Amendment: Utilities Director Vern Hall and General Manager Mark Nicholas presented a first amendment to the cooperative agreement with Vertosoft LLC. The amendment shifts credit/debit card transaction fees (2.95%) to customers who choose those payment methods, while ACH/e‑check remains free. The city currently absorbs $26 per year per customer. Over five years (FY26‑30), processing costs are projected at $3,877,060; the change is expected to save $3,295,501. The amendment was approved 5‑0.
• IX.2 – Marian Anderson Property Second Amendment: Economic Development Manager Wayne Applebee and former City Attorney Bob Fournier explained the second amendment to the purchase and sale agreement with Newtown Gateway LLC for the city‑owned 1.87‑acre site at 2046 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The amendment extends timelines due to hurricane delays and allows separate closings for the north (medical clinic) and south (light industrial) parcels. Commissioner Battie emphasized the need to ensure appropriate uses for the community. Approved 5‑0.
• XII.1 – Interim City Manager Position: City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs introduced the item. David Bullock, a former Sarasota County deputy administrator and Longboat Key town manager, was recommended. After brief discussion, Vice Mayor Trice moved to appoint Bullock as Interim City Manager and direct staff to bring a draft employment agreement (consistent with the backup documents and compensation/timeframe discussed) to the May 20 special meeting. Motion approved 5‑0.

Legislative Public Hearings

• X.1 – Mira Mar Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Ordinance 25‑5565): The Commission held a lengthy hearing (10:10 a.m. – 5:22 p.m., including a lunch recess). The applicant, represented by attorney Brenda Patten and development team (Seaward Development, REG Architects, Nichols Architects), requested a change from Downtown Core to Downtown Bayfront future land use classification for 1.42 acres at 65 S. Palm Ave and 136 Mira Mar Court. The change would allow an increase from 10 to 18 stories, enabling two residential towers (70 units) and providing revenue for the $29 million rehabilitation of the historic Mira Mar building. Staff recommended denial, citing compatibility, precedent, and impact on the historic district. The Planning Board had recommended approval (3‑2). The applicant proffered conditions: no certificate of occupancy for new towers until the Mira Mar rehabilitation is complete, 60% podium coverage cap, deletion of the historic portion from the amendment, and commitments on height, interstitial space, TDRs, and affordable non‑residential space. After public testimony and rebuttal, Commissioner Ohlrich moved to approve first reading of the ordinance, amending the FLUM from Downtown Core to Downtown Bayfront excluding the historic portion of the Mira Mar building (street frontage back ~30 ft) and including the additional proffers. Motion carried 5‑0.
• X.2 – 4th/5th Street Alley Vacation (Ordinance 25‑5567): Planner Rebecca Webster and applicant team (Patrick Seidensticker, GSP Development, Kimley‑Horn) presented a proposal to vacate a 6,003‑sq‑ft portion of an improved alley between 4th and 5th streets east of US 41, and realign it to 4th Street to allow development of a 271‑unit mixed‑use project (Saravela). The Planning Board had recommended denial (3‑2) on March 28, but staff later found the vacation complied with standards. After neighborhood negotiations, the applicant offered proffers: minimum 40 attainable dwelling units, 20‑ft setbacks, enhanced landscaping, relocation of a water main, and relocation of the loading dock. The vacation would take effect only after a building permit is issued. Public speakers, including representatives of the Boulevard Condo and DisCA, supported the revised plan. Commissioner Ahearn‑Koch moved to approve first reading of the ordinance with an added proffer to relocate the loading dock to the alley. Motion approved 5‑0.

Quasi‑Judicial Public Hearing

• XI.1 – Rezone at 5325 Royal Palm Avenue (Ordinance 25‑5568): Deputy City Attorney John Shamsey explained the quasi‑judicial process. Applicant Stephen Rees (Icard Merrill) presented a request to rezone 1.87 acres from Residential Multiple Family 2 (RMF‑2) to Urban Mixed‑Use 2 (MU‑2) for a 119‑room Hilton Homewood Suites hotel. The proposed five‑story building (one story above the allowed four by paying into the affordable housing fund) would include a pool and enhanced landscaping. The site is near the airport. Staff and the Planning Board (5‑0) recommended approval. Commissioner Ahearn‑Koch expressed concern about the removal of grand trees (six grand trees removed, three saved). The applicant noted coordination with the city arborist. No public speakers. Commissioner Ohlrich moved approval, seconded by Vice Mayor Trice. Motion carried 5‑0.

Key Outcomes

• Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Mira Mar: Approved 5‑0 on first reading, allowing the Downtown Bayfront classification for the non‑historic portion of the site, with binding proffers to ensure the rehabilitation of the historic building and limit the scale of new towers.
• Alley Vacation for Saravela: Approved 5‑0 on first reading, with a new proffer to relocate the loading dock; the vacation will not take effect until a building permit is issued.
• Rezone for Royal Palm Hotel: Approved 5‑0 on first reading, enabling a 119‑room hotel with a fifth‑story bonus.
• Interim City Manager: David Bullock appointed; final employment agreement to be presented at the May 20 special meeting.
• Other: Electronic payment service fee shift approved; second amendment for Marian Anderson property approved; routine consent items approved.