Venice City Council Meeting - April 14, 2026: Land Use Changes, Strategic Plan, and Recognitions

The Venice City Council met on April 14, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers to address a wide-ranging agenda including ceremonial recognitions, public hearings on land use and zoning changes, adoption of resolutions, and discussion of the city's strategic plan. Key actions included approval of a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning for 490 Substation Road, final reading of several annexation and development ordinances, and a decision to continue the Nokomis Groves Community Development District ordinance due to naming concerns. The council also discussed and deferred adoption of the FY 2027 Strategic Plan for further revisions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the March 24, 2026 regular meeting.
• Approved a special event permit for Barstool Open at Centennial Park on August 22, 2026.
• Approved a special event permit for Resolution Run 5K at Legacy Park on January 1, 2027.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Broccoli (Villa Legrande resident) expressed support for economic development but stated that the condition of Substation Road (a private road) cannot sustain current activity and that adding industrial uses would exacerbate the problem. He noted that stakeholders are assembling to develop a plan for road improvement and maintenance.
• David Kemmerer (representing family business Nokomis Groves) spoke during the Nokomis Groves CDD hearing, requesting that the petitioner not use the name "Nokomis Groves" for a development that is located in North Venice, not Nokomis, and is not a citrus grove. He cited four generations of family history and submitted a letter. The applicant agreed to consider a name change, and the item was continued.
• Jeff Boone (Venice resident and attorney) spoke during the second audience participation period, asserting that the Florida Growth Management Act explicitly allows and intends for comprehensive plans to be amended to reflect changes in growth and city needs. He cited examples such as the Venice Theatre rebuild and the conversion of a planned heavy industrial park on the Myakka River, arguing that amendments are a proper tool and that council has the obligation to vote on them.

Discussion Items

• Ordinances on First Reading (26-13 and 26-14) – 490 Substation Road: The council held a joint public hearing for a comprehensive plan amendment (FLUM change from High Density Residential to Industrial) and a concurrent zoning map amendment (RMF-1 to Industrial). Staff (Nicole Tremblay) presented the proposal to allow multi-tenant light industrial use on a 2-acre property currently used for industrial purposes under code enforcement action. The applicant (Annie Boone) argued the change is consistent with the Gateway Neighborhood strategy and will support the city's need for industrial space. Council discussion included concerns about code violations (Mr. Weed: "the owner has flagrantly and repeatedly operated this property in a way that violates city codes"), the importance of the comprehensive plan (Mr. Smith: "this would be the 24th change to our comprehensive plan since 2023 – when does it stop?"), and the need for industrial land (Mr. Engelke and Vice Mayor Boldt: the area is an industrial pocket and the city has very little industrial designation). The comprehensive plan amendment passed 5-2, and the zoning amendment passed 6-1.
• Ordinances on Final Reading:
  • 26-08 (Annexation – iHeartMedia): Approved unanimously with no discussion.
  • 26-09 (FLUM – 282 North Auburn Road): Approved unanimously with no discussion.
  • 26-10 (Rezoning – 282 North Auburn Road to PUD): Approved 6-1; Mr. Smith voted no, citing concerns that the PUD code could allow commercial use.
  • 26-12 (Nokomis Groves CDD): The public hearing included testimony objecting to the name. The applicant agreed to consider a name change, and council voted unanimously to continue the item to the April 28 meeting for revised documents.
  • 26-15 (Travel Policy Amendment): Approved unanimously; Vice Mayor Boldt noted the thorough review process for expense reimbursement.
• Ordinance 26-17 (Firefighters’ Deferred Retirement Option Plan) – First Reading: Approved unanimously and scheduled for final reading.
• Resolutions: 26-08 (Irrigation Restrictions), 26-09 (Schedule of Violations and Penalties), and 26-10 (Rededication of Centennial Park) were all approved unanimously without debate, except for a brief clarification on resolution 26-09 that the only change was adding a water restriction violation as a Class 1 violation.
• Strategic Plan (Item 26-0572): City Manager Clinch presented the draft FY 2027 Strategic Plan, noting changes in format and updated language from the annual workshop. Council members proposed several edits: Ms. Frank asked to strike "in-kind non-financial" on page 18 to keep options open and to modify page 12 language regarding reducing reliance on residential ad valorem taxes. Mr. Smith sought assurance that infrastructure capacity would be evaluated before any annexation. Mr. Weed requested a map defining gateways. Mr. Engelke supported removing "in-kind" but cautioned against binding future funding. The mayor proposed deferring adoption to incorporate revisions, which council unanimously approved, with a directive to bring the plan back for final review.
• Letter of Support – Myakka River Wild and Scenic Designation (Item 26-0573): The mayor requested authorization to send a letter of support for federal designation of the Myakka River as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, noting benefits for funding and enforcement. Council unanimously approved.

Key Outcomes

• Comprehensive Plan Amendment (26-13) – 490 Substation Road: Approved 5-2. Councilmembers Smith and Weed voted no.
• Zoning Map Amendment (26-14) – 490 Substation Road: Approved 6-1. Councilmember Weed voted no.
• Annexation Ordinance (26-08): Adopted unanimously.
• FLUM Amendment – 282 North Auburn Road (26-09): Adopted unanimously.
• Rezoning – 282 North Auburn Road (26-10): Adopted 6-1. Councilmember Smith voted no.
• Nokomis Groves CDD (26-12): Continued to April 28, 2026, for a name change.
• Travel Policy Ordinance (26-15): Adopted unanimously.
• Firefighters’ DROP Ordinance (26-17): Approved on first reading; final reading to be scheduled.
• Resolution 26-08 (Irrigation Restrictions): Adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 26-09 (Violations and Penalties): Adopted unanimously.
• Resolution 26-10 (Centennial Park Rededication): Adopted unanimously.
• Strategic Plan (FY 2027): Deferred for revisions; to be brought back for adoption.
• Myakka River Support Letter: Authorized unanimously.
• Beach Nourishment Project: City Manager announced the project has been awarded by the Army Corps of Engineers ($27.5 million), on track for summer 2026.