City Commissioners Support Appeal to Stop the 327-Foot Obsidian Condominium Development

The Sarasota City Commission recently voted 4-1 to uphold an appeal against the Obsidian condo project, an 18-story residential tower proposed for 1260 North Palm Ave. This decision overturns prior approvals given by city staff and pauses the project after extensive public discussion addressing concerns ranging from traffic to building compatibility.

Public sentiment was strong against the development, with resident Hugh Fiore commenting on the project’s discord with the character of North Palm Avenue. City commissioners ultimately deemed the proposal incompatible with Sarasota’s zoning code and comprehensive plan, which emphasizes development alignment and appropriate building scale.

Commissioners Vice-Mayor Debbie Trice, Jen Ahearn-Koch, Kyle Battie, and Kathie Kelley Olrich supported the appeal filed by the Bay Plaza Owners’ Association. Mayor Liz Alpert was the lone dissenting voice, arguing the project met legal standards and should move forward.

The project, put forth by MK Equity Corporation, proposed 14 luxury residential units complemented by commercial amenities. The design included higher ceilings and required adjustments to zoning standards after city staff previously supported it. The site in question spans approximately 0.28 acres and would have replaced existing single-story businesses along North Palm Avenue, adjacent to the Bay Plaza condominium and across from the Palm Avenue Garage.

Despite prior endorsement from city staff, commissioners raised issues regarding the project’s height and its implications alongside other nearby facilities. MK Equity Corporation contended the design adhered to regulations and included measures to mitigate its footprint, such as landscaping and building materials, while highlighting that interstitial spaces between floors aren’t regulated locally.

During discussions, comparisons were made to a previously opposed project, which also faced community backlash regarding height and proximity concerns. Even though the earlier plan was smaller, it set a standard for community skepticism toward oversized developments in the area.

Commissioners expressed that it wasn’t merely a quantitative analysis of the proposal—it fundamentally failed to integrate with its surroundings. Trice indicated the project did not meet four out of seven essential criteria, while residents testified that compromising Sarasota’s unique character for height and density risks the community’s essence.

Following the vote, the future of the Obsidian project remains uncertain, with MK Equity Corporation yet to comment on possible revisions or legal actions.

• Project Name: Obsidian Condo Project
• Location: 1260 North Palm Ave., Sarasota
• Proposed Features: 18 stories, 327 feet tall, 14 luxury units, commercial spaces
• City Commission Vote: 4-1 against the project
• Public Concerns: Traffic, building height, community compatibility
• Developer: MK Equity Corporation
• Next Steps: Unclear if revisions or legal action will be pursued