New Housing Proposal Gets Warpath Reception from Natives

Note: We have previously held this story while private negotiations have been underway between Sebpog.org and Taylor Morrison... 

Nokomis, FL 06-12-2018

The local Lutheran church meeting hall was filled to capacity with many war drum beating natives of the Sorrento East subdivision last evening - some of whom were invited to attend, a planning workshop held by members and associates of the large land developer: Taylor Morrison. The topic of the evening was the proposed rezoning and development of a long standing green buffer parcel - directly abutting the eastern border of Sorrento East homes. This approximately 111 acre of pie slice shaped land, long owned by Palmer Ranch Holdings, and currently zoned for 50 "mini-ranches" or "farmettes" under OUE-2, would be converted into RSF-2 PUD, allowing for the construction of nearly 400 residential units in dense groupings.

The presentation - chaired by Taylor Morrison attorney Charlie Bailey, was not underway long before residents began grumbling noises and snide comments, which soon broke out into rather heated verbal interruptions and pointed inquiries or recommendations. Mr. Bailey did his best to calmly answer questions and continue his presentation - which was accompanied by four large visual aid maps.

Natives pounded their war drums loudly, when poor Mr. Bailey mentioned the proposed egress for the community - one outlet being on route 681, and the other entrance (the primary reason many had attended): a connection to North Rossetti Drive - a county owned road within Sorrento East, and currently terminating at the western edge of the property in play. Mr. Bailey exclaimed at one point "...Please don't shoot the messenger!" as he attempted to simply detail existing county ordinances requiring two neighborhood entrances - as well as the county's desire, for this North Rossetti Drive connection to be "Full Access".

Mr. Bailey continued, that the developer was unsure if the North Rossetti Drive connection would be full access with or without a gated entrance - for the new development's residents only to utilize - such as is the case with the other nearby Taylor Morrision project - Bellacina at Casy Key -which is heavily gated and restricted access to their residents only.

Another option put forth by Mr. Bailey was that the North Rossetti Drive connection might be designed as "Emergency Access Only", with an unimproved road surface and locked for all but specific county emergency vehicles. This would deny new residents of the project from accessing a northerly direction on route 41, without first traveling south down highway 681, and then heading north on 41. The North Rossetti Drive connection would provide the new project's residents with easy access to traveling north on route 41, simply by turning left onto East Rubens and following it west out to route 41 - through the Sorrento East subdivision.  This was the county's recommendation for the vehicle traffic pattern.

Many residents of Sorrento East had strong objection to the proposal of additional new traffic through their neighborhood. Apparently, no traffic flow study had been completed - prior to this meeting, so it remained difficult for Mr. Bailey and others present from the Sarasota County Planning to adequately address the potential validity of the concerns raised.

The room seemed to grow louder with the voices of the disgruntled audience after this topic, and it became difficult for Mr. Bailey and others with him to continue with the presentation - the natives now quite rowdy, vocal, and or descending into their own conversations and debates concerning the matter. Attendees began to get up and leave... Mr. Bailey decided to just try to answer questions...

It seemed, Mr. Bailey had more to his presentation - than he was allowed to say... Other members of his team, and several other county planners present - seemed also, not allowed to give their complete presentations. The meeting was essentially "cut-short" by the residents - who having already "heard enough", made up their minds on the proposal and were desirous to return home. Other topics briefly touched upon concerned the nature of the western border of the property with Sorrento East residents' land and it's associated buffer zone, border treatment (fencing & walls), wildlife, utility connections, land elevation, drainage ponds...  and time frame for the project. Members of the Taylor Morrison team remained to address any additional issues - not publicly voiced by residents.

 Note: A complete edited video of this meeting was recorded by Sebpog.org and is available upon request.