Sarasota City Commission Regular Meeting - July 20, 2026

The Sarasota City Commission held a regular meeting on July 20, 2026, at 9:00 AM in City Hall. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including public comments on parking policies, approval of major infrastructure projects, updates to the special events ordinance, and direction on condo hotel regulations. Key decisions included approval of a $51 million wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation contract, authorization of an $8 million financing agreement for utility undergrounding on St. Armands and Lido Key, and approval of a special events ordinance with minor amendments. The meeting also addressed a building encroachment issue and directed staff to explore zoning text amendments for condo hotels.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the Special Sarasota City Commission Meeting of May 6, 2026 (unanimous).
• Approved the Public Art Committee Annual Update report (unanimous).
• Approved Consent Agenda No. 1 items except Item 6.2, which was pulled for discussion (unanimous).
• Approved Consent Agenda No. 2 items (7.2 budget amendment and 7.3 pension ordinance) (unanimous).
• Approved Item 7.1 (affirmation of Planning Board resolution for South Shore Community Church expansion) (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Citizens' Input on City Topics (30 minutes): Multiple downtown business owners and residents expressed strong opposition to recent parking policy changes, citing declining sales, customer loss, and negative impacts on local businesses. Speakers requested a rollback of the parking program to previous policies (e.g., two hours free, free Sundays, earlier enforcement end times). Martin Hyde also criticized a proposed change to streamline public comments, calling it an attempt to limit citizen input.
• Item 6.2 (Wastewater Treatment Plant): Martin Hyde spoke against the $51 million contract, questioning cost increases and the volume of backup material. No other public comments.
• Item 9.1 (Undergrounding): Carl Schafstall (Lido Key Resident Association) and Chuck Half (St. Armands Residents Association) expressed strong support for the undergrounding project, citing community surveys showing 80-90% approval.
• Item 9.3 (Special Events Ordinance): Four speakers addressed concerns: Chris Volker requested local business first right of refusal for vending; Patrick McNamy and John Bordeaux raised issues about event frequency, enforcement, sound levels, and teardown activities; Yevgeny Kodorkovsky objected to language allowing permit denial based on code ordinance violations.
• Item 10.1 (Traffic Concurrency): Yevgeny Kodorkovsky urged rejection of the amendment, arguing it would lower concurrency standards and ignore cumulative traffic impacts.
• Item 12.3 (Condo Hotels): David Lowe and Sandra Young spoke in favor of staff research and clear definitions, urging caution before approving projects with hybrid hotel/residential characteristics.

Discussion Items

• Public Art Committee Annual Update: The committee reported on numerous projects completed in 2025, including murals, sculptures, and community events. Discussion focused on maintenance funding, condition surveys, and the committee's desire to present more frequently to the Commission. The Commission directed staff to consider more frequent presentations and volunteer working groups.
• Item 6.2 – Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation: Commissioner Ahearn-Koch pulled the item for presentation. Staff explained the project scope (increasing capacity from 10.2 to 12.2 million gallons per day), the need for the 20-year SRF loan at 1.73% interest, and cost increases due to rebidding. The Commission approved the contract unanimously.
• Item 9.1/9.2 – St. Armands and Lido Key Undergrounding: Staff presented a two-phase approach: Phase 1 ($3.2M) for feasibility, assessment, and public outreach; Phase 2 ($4.8M) optional for implementation. The interim financing of up to $8M was authorized. Commissioners expressed concerns about the city's risk if the assessment district fails, but community support reassured them. Approved unanimously.
• Item 9.3 – Special Events Ordinance (Second Reading): Staff presented changes from the first reading, including defining St. Armands Circle as a park, requiring vendor lists five days before events, and clarifying adjacent restrictions. After public comment, the Commission approved the ordinance with minor non-substantive changes (page 15, page 19 sub 10) and directed staff to return with an update after the 2026-2027 season.
• Item 10.1 – Traffic Concurrency Zoning Text Amendment: Staff explained the amendment clarifies review methodologies for rezonings and future land use changes without lowering concurrency standards. Approved unanimously.
• Item 11.2 – Sarasota Youth Sailing Program Site Plan: The applicant proposed a 4,230 sq. ft. two-story building with a G-Zone waiver for crushed shell parking. The project was found compliant with all standards. Approved unanimously with conditions.
• Item 12.1 – Eighth Amendment and Restated Lease with Sarasota Sailing Squadron: The lease incorporates the new building site plan and clarifies language. Approved unanimously.
• Item 12.2 – Major Encroachment Agreement for Villa Ballada: The building encroaches up to 1.14 feet into the public right-of-way on Kumquat Court due to a construction error. Commissioners expressed frustration and directed the city manager and attorney to negotiate an equitable resolution with the developer. The hearing was continued.
• Item 12.3 – Condo Hotel and Apartment Hotel Definitions: Staff presented the issue of projects blending residential and hotel uses, which are not clearly defined in the code. After public comment, the Commission gave consensus to direct staff to expedite research and draft zoning text amendments, with input from the community.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Minutes of May 6, 2026 special meeting.
• Approved: Public Art Committee Annual Update report.
• Approved: Consent Agenda items with noted exceptions.
• Approved: Contract with TLC Diversified Inc. for Wastewater Treatment Plant Comprehensive Rehabilitation Project ($51,146,470).
• Approved: Agreement with Utility Consultants of Florida for undergrounding program assessment ($3.2M Phase 1).
• Approved: Resolution authorizing up to $8M capital improvement revenue note for undergrounding financing.
• Approved: Ordinance No. 26-5585 (Special Events) on second reading with minor changes.
• Approved: Ordinance No. 26-5600 (Traffic Concurrency Zoning Text Amendment) on first reading.
• Approved: Site Plan, Major Conditional Use, and G-Zone Waiver for Sarasota Youth Sailing Program (applications 24-SP-19, 24-CU-04, 25-GZW-01).
• Approved: Eighth Amendment and Restated Lease with Sarasota Sailing Squadron.
• Continued: Item 12.2 (Major Encroachment Agreement) for further negotiation; direction to city manager and attorney to propose equitable resolution.
• Directed: Staff to research and prepare zoning text amendments for condo hotel and apartment hotel definitions, with expedited timeline.