Sarasota City Commission Regular Meeting – March 2, 2026

The Sarasota City Commission held a regular meeting on March 2, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 7:55 PM. The agenda covered a broad range of topics, including a proclamation for Women in Construction Week, public input, approval of minutes, a citizen tax oversight report, community redevelopment agency (CRA) actions, consent agenda items, and major discussions on U.S. Recycling operations, vacation rental expansion, the Sarasota Performing Arts Center concept design, a special events ordinance, and a quasi-judicial rezoning. Several items were moved to the March 23, 2026 meeting.

Proclamation

• Mayor Trice proclaimed March 1-7, 2026 as Women in Construction Week, presented to members of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Gulf Coast Florida Chapter. The proclamation recognized the organization's work in community development and promoting women in the construction industry.

Citizens' Input (Morning Session)

• Bob Firth (Broadway Promenade resident) thanked the commission for listening to citizens and acknowledged the challenge of funding local government amid state legislative changes.
• Dwight Cherry (owner of Stroke Seafood, Newtown) raised issues with city zoning, noise ordinances, and policing that he said are driving away customers; he requested help resolving his business concerns.
• Christine Robinson (on behalf of the Argus Foundation) expressed gratitude to Interim City Manager David Bullock for his leadership during a period of unease, noting his work on budget, stormwater issues, and the city manager search.

Consent Calendar

• Item VI-1 (Property Insurance Renewal): Approved 4-1 (Commissioner Alpert voted no) – Property insurance program renewal brokered by Brown & Brown at a cost of $2,385,537.00. The renewal includes an increase in coverage from $25 to $35 million (costing $127,754/year) and an additional $28 million coverage option for specific buildings, which was not recommended by staff. Vice Mayor Ohlrich and Commissioner Ahearn-Koch noted the optional coverage was not pursued.
• Item VI-2 (Sarasota Sailing Squadron Youth Sailing Center): Approved 4-0 – Conceptual approval for a youth sailing center project on City-owned property at City Island, allowing the Sailing Squadron to submit project applications. The project will require final commission approval after planning review.
• Item VI-3 (Van Wezel Security Services): Approved 4-1 (Commissioner Alpert voted no) – Three-year contract with Mason Evans, Inc. d/b/a Diamond Investigations and Security for front-of-house and backstage security at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, with two possible one-year extensions.

CRA Actions

• CRA.1 – Minutes of January 5, 2026 CRA Meeting: Approved unanimously.
• CRA.2 – Margo Ventures Grant ($250,000): Approved unanimously – The Newtown CRA Advisory Board recommended a $250,000 grant for a banquet hall renovation at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Leon Avenue. The grant requires that the owner spend their own $263,000 first. The motion included stressing local hiring and adding the City of Sarasota to project publicity requirements.

Discussion Items

I. U.S. Recycling – Investigation of Legal Remedies (Item IX.1)

• Background: Commissioner Ahearn-Koch presented a video summarizing the history of complaints about U.S. Recycling operations since 2022, including dust, noise, vibrations, and potential health hazards. The facility is located near residential neighborhoods, a park, and Pines of Sarasota. Multiple regulatory agencies (city, county, FDEP) have been involved but enforcement has been limited. Residents from Amaryllis Park, Downtown Neighborhood Association, CCNA, and Central Cocoanut Neighborhood Association provided testimony.
• Public Comments: Over a dozen residents spoke, describing ongoing health impacts, property value concerns, and frustration with lack of progress. A bag of concrete dust collected near the site was displayed. A Suncoast Waterkeeper lawsuit against U.S. Recycling was noted. Speakers urged the commission to pursue a public nuisance lawsuit.
• Commission Discussion: City Attorney Polzak indicated he would investigate all administrative and legal remedies if directed. Deputy City Manager Robinson detailed city actions (e.g., $470,000 road repair, code enforcement efforts). Commissioners expressed strong support for action, with Vice Mayor Ohlrich stating the government's purpose is to protect health, welfare, and safety.
• Vote: Motion to direct the City Attorney to investigate and evaluate potential civil and administrative remedies, including but not limited to a coordinated civil public nuisance action, and return with findings and recommendations – passed 5-0.

II. Vacation Rental Expansion to DTN Zone District (Item IX.3)

• Presentation: Staff presented a feasibility report on expanding the vacation rental program to the Downtown Neighborhood (DTN) zone district, which includes Gillespie Park and Park East neighborhoods. Currently, the program applies to residential single-family and multi-family zones citywide. Expanding to DTN would add approximately 50 qualified vacation rentals. Staff noted operational constraints, including staffing and cost (program currently runs a deficit – about $57,000/year net cost).
• Public Comments: Eight residents spoke. Supporters (including CCNA, Gillespie Park residents) argued the program was originally intended to be citywide and would help enforce the seven-day minimum stay rule, reduce hotel houses, and provide a 24-hour contact. They cited examples of problematic short-term rentals in Gillespie Park (noise, parking, code violations). Opponents (including Realtor Association representative) argued there is no significant compliance problem in DTN (only 5 complaints, no violations), and expansion would be fiscally irresponsible given the deficit.
• Commission Discussion: Several commissioners noted that the 2024 expansion was intended to be citywide but mistakenly omitted DTN. Debate centered on whether the program is a preventive tool against hotel houses or an unnecessary burden. Commissioner Alpert expressed concern about cost and staff capacity; Commissioner Battie emphasized protecting neighborhoods proactively. Vice Mayor Ohlrich and Commissioner Ahearn-Koch supported expansion with simultaneous improvements.
• Initial Motion and Withdrawal: Commissioner Ahearn-Koch moved to expand to DTN; seconded by Vice Mayor Ohlrich. After discussion, they withdrew that motion and offered a revised one.
• Final Motion (passed 5-0): Expand the vacation rental program to include the Downtown Neighborhood Zone District (DTN) and direct staff to research potential improvements, including a tiered fee program, process improvements, potential revocation of registration options, and other upgrades to the ordinance to improve the program's functioning.

III. Sarasota Performing Arts Center (SPAC) Concept Design (Item IX.4)

• Presentation: The SPAC Foundation, Bay Park Conservancy, and design team (Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Sweet Sparkman Architects) presented “Concept Design 2.0”. Changes from the previous concept include moving the site south of the 10th Street Canal, integrating with the Bay Park’s resiliency plan (raising elevation to 22 feet, requiring no storm surge vulnerability), and reducing costs. The city’s funding capacity is $88 million from TIF bond capacity (out of $150 million total debt capacity, with remaining funds for park phases, parking, and pedestrian bridge). The foundation committed to raising $172-207 million from philanthropy. The revised budget is approximately $275 million with city contribution of $88 million and foundation raising $172-207 million.
• Public Comments: Six residents spoke. Supporters praised the design and financial restructuring, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Critics raised concerns about uncertainties from state property tax reform and asked that the Van Wezel be maintained instead.
• Commission Discussion: Commissioners commended the team for addressing previous concerns. They noted that the state’s property tax situation (potential November ballot measure) creates uncertainty, but staff and the foundation plan to continue refining the partnership agreement and operating cost analysis. Interim City Manager Bullock stated the project is “doable” within TIF revenues without burdening the general fund.
• Motion (passed 5-0): Receive the Sarasota Performing Arts Center concept design presentation.

IV. Special Events Ordinance (Item X.1) – Continued for First Reading

• Presentation: Staff presented proposed changes to the special events code, including new definitions, security deposits, St. Armands Circle restrictions (over 96 hours), redefining location restrictions for events with street closures, alcohol, and sound permits, city co-sponsored event limits, and notice/sign-off requirements. Three options for location restrictions were offered: (1) all such events require city commission approval; (2) designated streets (green areas) allow administrative approval with limits; (3) defined downtown core area with limits.
• Public Comments: Seven residents spoke. Downtown residents argued the number of high-impact events (24 over 34 days in FY2024-25) is excessive and disruptive, and that Sarasota has more such events per capita than larger cities like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando. They requested a maximum of one event per month (excluding Fresh Fridays), better enforcement, and stronger sound regulations. Business owners and event organizers asked for more predictable approval timelines and fair rules.
• Commission Discussion: Commissioners debated the options. Some favored option 2 (green map) but with adjusted limits; others leaned toward option 3. No consensus was reached on the location restrictions. Commissioners agreed on several other items: security deposit language (refundable), removing the St. Armands 96-hour prohibition (option 1 – allowing events with commission approval), removing the two events-per-year cap for city co-sponsored events, and adopting option 1 for notice (remove two-thirds sign-off, strengthen notification). The sound permit decibel levels were set at 85 dBA / 90 dBC, effective May 1, pending a full sound study.
• Motion (passed 5-0): Continue the public hearing on proposed Ordinance No. 26-5585 for first reading, with direction to staff on the agreed items, to return for further discussion.

V. Rezoning – Alderman Oaks (Item XI.1) – Passed 3-2

• Applicant: Requested rezoning of 1.27 acres (727 Hudson Avenue) from RMF-5 (Residential Multiple Family 5) to DTE (Downtown Edge) to allow conversion of an existing assisted living facility to independent living (adding kitchens). The property is currently a non-conforming zoning enclave; DTE is the only implementing zone consistent with the Urban Edge future land use. No new construction is proposed; changes are interior.
• Public Comments: Affected persons (neighbors) opposed the rezoning, citing concerns about increased density, potential future live local development, compatibility with the low-rise neighborhood, flooding, and the lack of a site plan. They requested denial or a deed restriction.
• Applicant Rebuttal: The proffer (residential only use, with accessory group living uses) is enforceable and sufficient. A deed restriction is unnecessary and costly. The property will remain as group living; no site plan is required for interior renovations.
• Commission Discussion: Commissioners Alpert and Battie supported the rezoning, noting the existing building is not changing, the proffer ensures residential use, and the property is surrounded by DTE districts. Commissioners Ahearn-Koch and Vice Mayor Ohlrich opposed, citing future uncertainties, live local potential, and the loss of public hearing rights (future development would be administrative).
• Vote (passed 3-2): Adopt Ordinance No. 25-5579 on first reading. Commissioner Alpert and Battie voted yes; Vice Mayor Ohlrich and Commissioner Ahearn-Koch voted no; Mayor Trice voted yes.

Key Outcomes

• U.S. Recycling Investigation: Unanimous direction to City Attorney to investigate all legal and administrative remedies, including a potential public nuisance suit, and report back.
• Vacation Rental Expansion: Unanimous approval to expand the program to the DTN zone district (Gillespie Park and Park East) and to study program improvements (tiered fees, process improvements, revocation options).
• Performing Arts Center Concept: Unanimous vote to receive the updated concept design; staff and foundation will continue refining financial and operational details.
• Special Events Ordinance: Continued for first reading with direction on several provisions; staff to bring back revised ordinance for further discussion.
• Alderman Oaks Rezoning: Approved on first reading (3-2) with a proffer restricting use to residential (except accessory group living uses).
• Items Moved to March 23, 2026: Composting in the City of Sarasota (Item XII.1) and Property Tax Usage and Reform (Item XII.2) were continued to the next regular meeting.
• Future Meetings: A special (shade) meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2026 (out-of-sunshine/attorney-client session); the next regular meeting is March 23, 2026. A shredding event will be held March 21, 2026 at the Van Wezel parking lot.

Remarks of Commissioners and Administrative Officers

• Several commissioners thanked Interim City Manager David Bullock for his service, noting his steady leadership, financial expertise, and role in resolving the county stormwater issue and managing the city manager transition.
• City Auditor and Clerk Griggs reminded of the shredding event and the March 5 special meeting.