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In deference to those well meaning people in our community who devote their time and energy to attract new business to Sarasota County, Argus poses this simple question: What good is an economic development plan if business cannot rely on government plans for commercial development? Over the past sixty days we have witnessed two large “commercial” parcels, Publix warehouse and Palmer Ranch, who have been denied in the first instance, and delayed in the second, from using their property as had been permitted by government. Publix, after having been denied expansion of their existing warehouse space by the Sarasota County Planning Board, withdrew their petition for expansion on an existing site that had been master planned industrial since 1975. Palmer Ranch, who has relied on all the approvals of the Development of Regional Impact, was delayed by the County Commission for six months, because, despite all the approvals, the Commission is concerned that there is too much commercial development in the area. More than anything, it is the horror stories that help keep Sarasota from becoming the stellar community we expect. As one CEO of a publicly traded national development company recently told us, “We want to pay construction workers, not attorneys when we come to a new community, and that is why I'm not interested in developing in Sarasota County. Even the attorneys can't tell me with assurance what I can or cannot do if I invest here.” Let us be perfectly clear, it is not the rules and regulations that drive good development away, it is the lack of ADHERENCE TO THE RULES that exist that causes consternation. As a member of the
team hired by the County to update the zoning ordinance stated, “you
can change the rules all you want, but if they are not followed, you will
continue to get the same level of unpredictability.” Some contend
that absent a moratorium, this schizophrenic behavior is the Some thoughts for change: Throw out the regulatory-based zoning that piles rule upon rule, and do as many communities in America, the United Kingdom, and Australia and adopt performance based zoning. Do not focus on the rules, but focus on the end results. In short it is a planning design to recognize that there is more than one way to achieve acceptable community results. It streamlines bureaucracy encourages dialogue, and deals with the issues. Change the way re-zonings, special exceptions, and all quasi-judicial proceedings are handled by establishing qualified hearing masters to report findings of FACT to the County Commission. Have the Planning Commission continue in the role of local land planning agency, and remove the political, novice role that we have witnessed by the citizen planners in the quasi-judicial arena. This again is not the reinvention of the wheel, but is the way things are handled in Manatee and Hillsborough counties. Obviously, these suggestions
need a lot more community exploration as to the detail of how they would
function. Regardless of whether or not either idea is adopted, let us
all recognize that we have a problem that needs to be fixed. Not addressing
the issue causes more litigation and citizen time fighting the war of
unpredictable government.
The Argus Board of Directors has not taken a formal position on the move other than to encourage diligence and study before moving out of downtown Sarasota. The need for more court space is the driving force on this issue, yet the first court is not needed until 2010. Many foundation members who have invested in downtown Sarasota feel that the County government made both a financial and moral commitment to the City of Sarasota when they decided to contribute all increased county tax revenue from 1989 forward to the year 2020 to provide improvements to downtown Sarasota. The County also committed to keep county offices in the renovated GTE building. Despite the dilemma Argus feels that without inter-governmental cooperation between the City and County administrators and commissions, the public has no role in the ultimate decision. We encourage all to start working together for the best interests of all Sarasotans. |
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