As development concerns have emerged as the primary political issue in Sarasota, next week the County Commission is set to appoint new members to the essential Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission provides critical advice to the county on development matters, such as long-term growth and land use. Recently, the board has been viewed as supportive of development and as a potential stepping stone for future county commissioners. However, the dynamics may have changed with the appointment of Jon Thaxton in April.
Thaxton, previously a county commissioner, is now the director of policy at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and a public advocate opposing Sarasota’s rapid development surge.
Sarasota County Commission logo
Planning Commissioners Donna Carter and Cullen Morgan have not sought reappointment, leaving two positions vacant among the seven applicants.
The candidates include passionate environmentalists and seasoned professionals in real estate and development.
Ayech is a local environmental advocate who frequently participates during public comment at county meetings. She also serves on the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Environmental Advisory Board and the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida.
In her application, she stated that she “resides in the rural area of Sarasota and will bring this perspective to the Planning Commission.”
Ryan Lieberman
Lieberman is the vice president of development at the Barrington Group, a local real estate company. He is a board member of the Suncoast Builders Association, which is managed by the husband of County Commissioner Teresa Mast. He also serves on the Argus Foundation Board.
In his application, he identified transportation infrastructure as the county’s most significant planning challenge.
“Traffic congestion and a shortfall of diverse transportation options are major issues,” he wrote.
Libou is a real estate investment banking director at Raymond James & Associates and a graduate of the esteemed Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
He expressed that his two key issues as a commissioner would be “responsibly managing the county’s growth while preserving what makes Sarasota attractive” and “preparing the county for increasing meteorological events, like powerful hurricanes and flooding.”
Ryan Murphy
Murphy is a Lead Associate at Booz Allen Hamilton, a digital information firm. Previously, he served on the Sarasota County Development Review Committee.
“Rapid and sustained growth is the leading planning and land use issue in Sarasota County,” he noted in his application.
Boyd chairs the 1st Street Credit Union Board of Directors and serves as secretary on the Sarasota County Fair Board. He runs the Boyd Investigative Group.
In his application, he noted that the pressing need in the county is infrastructure.
“Our county is experiencing extraordinary growth, and if growth is to be allowed, infrastructure must be included in that plan,” Boyd wrote. “Developers must bear part of the infrastructure responsibilities as growth occurs.”
David Stershic
A retired county firefighter now working at Willis Smith Construction, Stershic emphasizes county drainage and infrastructure issues.
“I am not against development. Owners should have the right to develop their properties,” he stated in his application. “This should occur at the appropriate time, necessitating discussions about supporting services and infrastructure.”
Nevertheless, he also suggested that the county could “temporarily pause” development to better plan for the future.
In a part of his application, Stershic mentioned that “Willis Smith Construction often oversees County projects.”
Arthur is a real estate agent with Michael Saunders & Company, having recently left the county Board of Zoning Appeals after 14 years.
“As a proponent of property rights and an active participant in real estate, I recognize the importance of community service and the value of both residential and commercial spaces in a thriving community,” Arthur mentioned in his application.
He highlighted the county’s pressing need to “integrate existing development with new” while identifying the best practices for future growth in harmony with current developments.
Eaton, a local environmentalist, cited his primary concerns as flooding, wetland protection, and stormwater management improvements.
“Like traffic, the stormwater system is overwhelmed and has lost its effectiveness,” Eaton wrote in his application. “Remediation should take precedence over new construction until the flooding issues are adequately addressed.”
The County Commission is expected to make its selections at the meeting on Aug. 27.
The Sarasota County Commission can be contacted at commissioners@scgov.net
Christian Casale reports on local government for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Reach him at ccasale@gannett.com or christiancasale@protonmail.com
This piece originally appeared in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Who is going to end up on the Sarasota County Planning Commission?
Read the full article here: Source link
