Sarasota City Commission Regular Meeting - October 19, 2026

This regular meeting of the Sarasota City Commission on October 19, 2026, lasted from 9:00 AM to approximately 7:00 PM and addressed a wide range of items including proclamations, consent agenda items, unfinished business related to the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC), vacation rental ordinance expansions and program improvements, a rezoning petition, and an appeal of a site plan denial for the Midtown Plaza redevelopment. Numerous public comments were heard on various topics.

Consent Calendar

• Item 6.2 – Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program (Cycle A) Funding of $29,640.00: Approved unanimously after being pulled for public comment. Commissioner Ahearn-Koch moved approval, seconded by Vice Mayor Ohlrich.
• Item 6.4 – Hurricane Milton Permanent Highway Lighting Repair Project (Ben Franklin Drive): Authorized Mayor and City Auditor and Clerk to execute the Local Agency Program Agreement with FDOT for $718,463 (city contribution $118,426). Approved unanimously after a brief presentation by City Surveyor Robert Hagan.
• Item 7.3 – Second Reading of Ordinance 26-5598 (Certified Recovery Residences): Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Alpert, seconded by Vice Mayor Ohlrich).
• Item 7.4 – Second Reading of Ordinance 26-5609 (Table of Organization FY 2026-2027): Approved unanimously (motion by Commissioner Ahearn-Koch, seconded by Commissioner Battie).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Martin Hyde (non-resident): Criticized the new city manager’s long-term planning, focusing on local issues like the closed Lido Beach pool and unsolved communication gaps.
• Celine O'Connor (resident): Thanked city for dune installation on Lido Beach; urged faster restoration of streetlights on Benjamin Franklin Drive; supported a city takeover of Ted Sperling Park and stronger sound ordinance and parks district.
• Pamela Bundy (resident): Requested a fresh coordinated review of her building permit issues at 535 South Osprey, asking to bypass a quiet title requirement.
• Katherine Hermes (resident): Expressed concern over city manager’s proposal to require unanimous commission consent for agenda items, citing that it would hinder public input. Also noted decline in downtown foot patrols by police.
• Ron Shapiro (resident): Provided an update on the 1260 North Palm project’s arbitration process; questioned magistrate’s recommendation to approve despite no changes from rejected plans. Urged commissioners to reject the project again.
• Henry Kahwaty (St. Armands resident): Discussed zoning ordinance barriers to home elevation projects, emphasized resilience building, and criticized variance criteria that limit resiliency.
• Kelly Brown (President of Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations): Supported the Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program and thanked the city for continuing it.
• Jim Ludwig (CCNA): Supported the DTN vacation rental expansion (Ordinance 26-5602) and conceptually supported program improvements (Ordinance 26-5613). Highlighted that over 70% of vacation rentals were previously unlicensed, generating over $1.5 million annually in bed tax revenue.
• Max Brandow (Realtor Association): Opposed the 70% fee increase without itemized cost analysis; suggested longer inspection periods, multi-year registrations, and third-party inspections to reduce costs. Asked for better stakeholder engagement.
• Public comments on vacation rental ordinances: Kelly Brown (Gillespie Park) noted 14% of properties are short-term rentals, 70% not owner-occupied; urged inclusion in ordinance. Affected parties spoke on both ordinances.

Discussion Items

• Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC) Lease and Option Agreements (Items 9.1, 9.2, 9.3): The city presented three related items: an amended lease for the Leonard Reid House, a first amendment authorizing a $458,000 state grant, and an addendum to the option to purchase three properties on MLK Jr. Way. Commissioners discussed special events language, the $50,000 improvement threshold, and tree protection. Amendments were adopted to clarify special event permitting (including city special event permitting). All three items passed unanimously with separate motions.
• Vacation Rental Ordinances (Items 10.2 and 10.3):
  • Ordinance 26-5602 (DTN Expansion): Extends vacation rental registration to the Downtown Neighborhood Zone (DTN), affecting approximately 50 potential units. Includes a phased occupancy limit (12 persons, with temporary allowance for existing rentals up to 16 through 2028). Approved on first reading unanimously.
  • Ordinance 26-5613 (Program Improvements): Establishes registration and renewal procedures, increases annual fees from $350 to $600, adds inspection and change fees, and extends the repeat violation look-back from one to five years. Staff projected 97.4% cost recovery. Commissioners debated a proposed amendment to add a link to the city’s vacation rental registration map to the required informational posting; it failed 2-3. An amendment to set the sunset/removal provision date to October 1, 2027 passed unanimously. The ordinance was then approved on first reading unanimously. Commissioners also passed motions to direct staff to prepare a budget amendment for two new positions (a Code Compliance Administrative Specialist and a Vacation Rental Compliance Specialist) and to conduct a stakeholder workshop and establish program performance standards.
• Rezoning – 1551 N Beneva Road (Item 11.1): Applicant Brian Lichterman sought to rezone a 2.8-acre vacant parcel from RMF-1 to RMF-3 to build 36 multifamily units. Affected neighbors expressed concerns about traffic, stormwater, height (35 feet), and compatibility. The applicant proffered stipulations including a 6.5-foot fence, one access point, and a community workshop. The Planning Board had recommended approval 4-1. Commissioners adopted amendments to require the sidewalk connection (changing 'consider' to 'shall provide') and to add a community workshop before site plan filing. The rezoning was approved 4-1 (Commissioner Ahearn-Koch dissenting).
• Midtown Plaza Redevelopment Appeal (Item 11.2): This was an appeal of the Planning Board’s 3-2 denial of a site plan for a mixed-use development on 3.3 acres at 1325 S Tamiami Trail. The plan includes a 145-room hotel, 91 apartments (23 attainable), 1,861 sq ft retail, and a parking structure. Staff recommended approval. Affected parties cited traffic, parking, safety on East Avenue, trash compactor location, and pedestrian facilities. The applicant highlighted compliance with CGD zoning, de minimis traffic impact (129 PM peak trips vs. 226 for a grocery store), and over 200 parking spaces. During discussion, commissioners noted that the project meets code and represents an improvement over the existing vacant grocery store. A motion to approve the site plan subject to staff conditions and an added proffer of a 6-foot sidewalk on Prospect Avenue passed 3-2 (Commissioners Ahearn-Koch and Ohlrich dissenting).

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items (excluding pulled items) approved unanimously.
• Neighborhood Partnership Grant Program: Approved ($29,640).
• Hurricane Milton Lighting Repair Project: Approved (authorization to execute LAP agreement).
• Ordinance 26-5598 (Certified Recovery Residences): Adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 26-5609 (Table of Organization): Adopted unanimously.
• SAACC Lease and Option Agreements (Items 9.1, 9.2, 9.3): Approved with amendments to special events language.
• Sale of Winton Avenue property: Approved for $2,100, proceeds to Affordable Housing Fund.
• Vacation Rental DTN Expansion (Ordinance 26-5602): Approved on first reading unanimously.
• Vacation Rental Program Improvements (Ordinance 26-5613): Approved on first reading with sunset date amendment (October 1, 2027). Staff directed to prepare budget amendment for two new positions and to conduct stakeholder workshop and develop performance metrics.
• Rezoning at 1551 N Beneva Road: Approved 4-1 with amendments.
• Midtown Plaza Site Plan Appeal: Approved 3-2, reversing the Planning Board denial, with conditions including a 6-foot sidewalk on Prospect.