Message in a Baggie (w/Rock): SEPOA Meeting on New Proposed Development

Yesterday, some residents in Sorrento East were greeted by one of those "Message in a Baggie w/Rock" drops - that we often get from amateur cheapo contractors pedaling their wares and services... Alas - no such luck in this case, it was from an unknown sender, just click on the above image and you can read it for yourself...

We must comment, initially - that while we appreciate the efforts of the mystery sender... this message / baggie drop method can do more harm than good. A lot of our residents this time of year are gone to their Northern homes, and these things often just hang around on their driveways for days... indicating to possible thieves that the premises are currently unoccupied. (I.E. -  They're like a "Rob Me" flag for those paying attention.) Additionally, many people don't seem to even see them, not to mention the method is completely unprofessional... but, back to the contents.  

So, this is a notice about the special meeting (an official SEPOA meeting?) to be held at SEPOA's typical meeting location, the Lutheran Church across the street  from the plat: 7pm on 7/25/18. The topic of the special gathering - to discuss concerns of some residents, to the Sorrento at Palmer Ranch proposed Taylor Morrison development with the association's legal counsel: Dan Lobeck (of Lobeck & Hanson, P.A., Sarasota, FL).

The issues and concerns for the rezoning proposal are listed on the note... However, most of these questions were indeed addressed at the meeting of 06-12-18, lead by Taylor Morrison attorney: Mr. Charlie Bailey - but many folks were too busy shouting and talking amongst themselves to listen... (SEBPOG has a complete video of the meeting.) If you could not attend... you can read a summary of that rowdy gathering: here. Since this meeting, SEBPOG has had another 90 minute meeting with a multi-disciplinary team for the project (07-05-18), including again Mr. Bailey, agents from Taylor Morisson, and officials from Sarasota County Planning.

What follows are SEBPOG's thoughts and replies to the inquiries raised in the "Baggie Note":

"Increase in density of homes over current zoning."

This is true, the primary parcel is currently rated OUE-2 (1 house per two acres), which means about 50 homes on the parcel...

The new zoning request: RSF-2 / PUD is like Sorrento East... 3.5 homes per acre. This will allow from something like between 340 to 380 new homes, depending on access and a few other issues.

Unfortunately, the land has technically, already been "slated" for rezoning by the county. This was secured in the 2014 Sarasota County Future Land Use Guide map (which is part of the larger Comprehensive Plan document) - where it recommended flipping the property in the future into the applied for new zoning. Those not familiar with what the S.C. Future Land Use Guide is, need to research it... sadly, the time for input regarding the future of this parcel happened four years ago, when the updated S.C. Future Land Use Guide was crafted...

* The Sarasota County Future Land Use Guide Map was again updated in 2016. You may review it: here.

"Ingress/Egress" through Sorrento East"

The current developers plan calls for NO FULL ACCESS at North Rossetti, only an emergency access point. The other access for the new development is out on Route 681, so there will be NO INCREASE IN TRAFFIC.

"Increased Traffic"

There will be none - Please see above.

"Increase risk of safety (on roads) for pedestrians, cyclists, children, and wildlife"

Umm, nice try... again - there will be no increase, please see above.

"Rain/Storm water run-off and drainage increasing rish of flooding in Sorrento East"

Okay, this is one of SEBPOG's primary concerns, as is so stated in our Mission Statement (which you can review: here). In our extensive talks with the developer, and county planners, the project MUST be designed with massive and in depth hydrological concerns in mind.  The parcel must: (a.) continue to accept all run-off that currently feeds into the land, and (b.) shed no run-off, from the parcel, back into Sorrento East properties. The design of the border is key to these concerns, and it will contain swales (ditches), and passive grading, so the water is channeled properly. Again, this is a county mandate.

"Risks to the endangered wildlife living in Oscar Scherer State Park and also to wetland areas shared by Oscar Scherer and the parcel in question."

There is a rather large buffer that will be set up on the northern end of the parcel for wildlife concerns. Additionally, the small shared circular seasonal wetland is to be preserved and included in the design for the community.


SEBPOG hopes the above helps answer some of these concerns... It must be understood that ALL of these topics have been completely anticipated, and are being addressed by both county agencies and the developer. Thus, it is exceedingly doubtful any of these concerns will terminate or curtail the project - which is of a large financial nature and will most likely generate something close to two hundred million dollars in new real estate sales.

We in SEBPOG wish (like you) the project was not happening - that the land would be just left as a natural buffer, as it has been for many years. Unfortunately, we must be realistic and deal with the hand we have been dealt. We must make the best of it.  The reality is: this parcel is indeed private property - it is owned by one of the most well known large land owners in the county with deep roots within the community. The company has tried to develop it several times over the past twenty or so years, and it is quite unrealistic to think - they would leave it alone, even if this developer (who has shown an impressive and sincere effort - to work with directly affected Sorrento East property owners) should somehow fail or be denied re-zoning.

With the above in mind... if non-abutting SE residents really desire to help their fellow Sorrento East neighbors - the border property owners, who will be unfortunately saddled with this... and will be on the "front lines" of this project - directly enduring the upsetness, noise, and dirt - for years... please take the time to frequently visit SEBPOG.ORG and read it... or speak with those in Sepbog who are well versed and up to date - on the details of this endeavor, as it moves forward. (We have been hard at work on this thing since late in 2017.)

Again, while we sincerely appreciate the effort of SEPOA members... please recognize that an ineffective and combative campaign raised by non-abutting / non-directly affected SEPOA members - will only run counter productive to SEBPOG's current excellent working relationships with the land owner, project developer and their agents, and county planning officials assigned to the development. (In essense, you could hurt us - not help.) There is much to be said for the age old expression: "Sometimes you get more with a carrot, than you do with a stick."  Please rest assured - we at SEBPOG are on top of this and doing our very best... Thank you for reading.