Sarasota Denies 58-Unit Residential Development Proposal North of Downtown

The Sarasota City Commission voted 4-1 on Monday to deny a rezoning ordinance amendment for a proposed 58-unit apartment development at 1701 and 1715 N. Tamiami Trail, citing concerns from residents of The Strand condominiums along Whitaker Bayou. The development is situated just a few blocks north of downtown Sarasota.

The planning for this project, initiated by property owner Tammy II LLC from Chicago, has faced numerous challenges since it was submitted in 2022. Acquiring the site from the original master developer, Jebco Ventures, has proven difficult, with setbacks including the illnesses and deaths of key consulting members. Currently, principal developer Jason Vondrachek is also managing personal health issues.

The delays have been frustrating for The Strand residents, who were initially under the impression that the site would host a boutique commercial presence instead of an apartment complex. Freedman noted, “That’s no excuse, but it’s just been a strange situation of why the delay has happened.”

Residents of The Strand have their own pressing issues, including frequent flooding during heavy rains, which affects garages and elevator pits. The current drainage system directs excess water to Whitaker Bayou, but during high tides, it cannot efficiently drain away and can take days to recede.

The developer’s representatives assured commissioners that the proposed four-story buildings would not increase runoff for The Strand; however, they acknowledged that it would not alleviate the existing flooding problems.

In terms of traffic impact, the development team and city staff argued that the 58 apartments would generate significantly less traffic than the previously approved commercial space of 16,500 square feet. The project is zoned North Trail and could be classified as Urban Mixed-Use 3.

Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert, the sole dissenting voter, raised concerns that the proposed plan reflected the lower end of potential density on the property and emphasized that the eventual development would not address the flooding concerns of The Strand residents.

“What could go there that would be less impactful than what’s being planned?” Alpert questioned. Ohlrich, supporting the motion to deny, insisted that the commission could only address the current proposal and not speculate about potential future projects.

The debate continued, with Alpert challenging Ohlrich on her views about the impact of other potential developments. Ohlrich responded, stating that it wasn’t her role to envision alternatives.

This article originally appeared on sister site YourObserver.com.

Key Information

• Location: 1701 and 1715 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL.
• Project Type: Proposed 58-unit apartment development.
• Vote Outcome: 4-1 denial by Sarasota City Commission.
• Issues Raised: Resident concerns about flooding, traffic impact, and change from original boutique commercial proposal.
• Future Considerations: Concerns regarding potential density and impact if a different project is pursued.