Venice Planning Commission Meeting - January 6, 2026

The Planning Commission held a regular meeting on January 6, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Council Chambers. The commission considered several quasi-judicial petitions, including a variance, a conditional use for an RV park, and three related Home Depot applications (conditional use, design alternative, and site plan), plus a legislative comprehensive plan amendment. All items were approved, with one dissenting vote on the Venice Bay Adult Park conditional use.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of December 2, 2025 meeting: Approved unanimously (7-0) as presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• 25-71CU (Venice Bay Adult Park): Sam Dunley, a nearby resident, expressed concerns that new FEMA elevation requirements would make it difficult for elderly residents to access raised homes and that investors are buying lots, potentially changing the character of the park. He supported allowing RVs as a flexible, movable option and stated that most residents do not care about the distinction between RVs and mobile homes.
• 25-52CU/53DA/51SP (Home Depot): Steve Carr, chair of the Central Venice Coalition, requested postponement of the site plan approval to allow city, county, and state officials to address safety at Laurel Nokomis School during drop-off/pickup and the unresolved intersection of Pinebrook Road, Honore, and Laurel Road. He noted 27,216 daily trips projected for the full Venice Crossing development.
• Bill Cantrell, president of the Nokomis Area Civic Association, spoke on behalf of over 400 members, requesting a binding concept plan for the entire Venice Crossing development to ensure coordinated design, traffic interconnectivity, stormwater management, and gateway aesthetics. He expressed concern that parcel-by-parcel approvals without a master plan would lead to inadequate mitigation.

Discussion Items

• 25-65VZ (Variance – 114 Corte Del Asolo): Staff presented a request for relief from a 5-foot setback for an existing screened enclosure that encroaches by a few inches. The enclosure was permitted in 2002 but may have been a staff error. The current owners discovered the issue when purchasing and wish to resolve it for future sale. Commissioners noted the minimal encroachment, the age of the structure, and the common-sense nature of the request.
• 25-71CU (Venice Bay Adult Park Conditional Use): Staff explained that the applicant, Venice Bay Adult Park Inc., seeks approval to place RVs on four parcels that historically housed RVs but were destroyed by hurricanes. The RVs must meet flood insurance and temporary use standards (≤180 days or fully licensed/travel-ready). The association needs the rental income (over $50,000 annually) to keep fees low. Commissioners discussed monitoring requirements and noted that RVs are a legitimate affordable housing option. The park has existed since 1947.
• 25-52CU/53DA/51SP (Home Depot Applications): Staff and applicant presented a comprehensive case for a 106,651 sq ft retail store with a 28,156 sq ft garden center on 11.29 acres within the Venice Crossing Commercial Center. The conditional use allows outdoor sales/display; the design alternative requests (1) wall signs up to 579 sq ft (vs. 400 sq ft max), (2) reduced landscape divider medians to accommodate seasonal sales/truck rental, and (3) 20-foot light fixtures at the perimeter instead of 15 feet. The applicant argued the changes are efficient, safe, and mitigate impacts due to the site's interior location and generous setbacks (e.g., 316 ft front setback). Traffic analysis shows the project uses only 115 PM peak hour trips from the approved 1,208 for the master plan; no capacity issues were identified. Commissioners questioned lighting placement, traffic coordination with the school, and interconnectivity via Twin Laurel Boulevard. Staff confirmed coordination with Sarasota County, FDOT, and the school district; a new traffic signal at Chillingham Avenue is being installed; and the school requested a sidewalk relocation. No opposition from county, city, or school transportation officials.
• 25-73CP (Annual Development Data Update): Staff presented the annual monitoring report required by the Comprehensive Plan, which tracks development in the city's seven mixed-use neighborhoods. Key change: the hospital area was reclassified as Planned Public Hospital (PPH) to better reflect land use proportions. The report shows Knights Trail mixed use corridor is at 98% residential capacity (only 40 units left) and Laurel Road corridor at 76% non-residential. No substantive issues raised.

Key Outcomes

• 25-65VZ Variance: Approved unanimously (7-0).
• 25-71CU Venice Bay Adult Park Conditional Use: Approved 6-1 (one dissenting vote, not specified).
• 25-52CU Home Depot Conditional Use: Approved unanimously (7-0).
• 25-53DA Home Depot Design Alternative: Approved unanimously (7-0).
• 25-51SP Home Depot Site and Development Plan: Approved unanimously (7-0).
• 25-73CP Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Annual Data Update): Recommended approval to City Council unanimously (7-0).
• An excused absence for Commissioner Hale at the next meeting was approved unanimously.