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Sarasota commissioners pause plan to mandate in-person neighborhood workshops; ask staff to survey churches and venues
Summary
Following divided public testimony and mixed commissioner views, county planning staff were ordered to inventory potential in-person venues (including churches and libraries) and gather more public input before changing neighborhood workshop rules that currently allow virtual or in‑person formats.
County planning staff returned to the board May 20 to discuss whether neighborhood workshops for land‑use petitions should be required to be in person rather than optional. The current county resolution (No. 2025‑582) allows applicants to hold either an in‑person or a virtual workshop; staff said the option dates to 2020 pandemic adjustments and a later 2023 discussion that left the choice optional.
Planning Director Matt Osterhout told commissioners the Unified Development Code implements Sarasota 2050 policy 1.3.0.4 and that roughly 22 of 24 neighborhood workshops held recently were virtual, citing attendees’ preference and logistical constraints. He said staff had earlier proposed a mandatory in‑person rule in 2023 but the board took no action at that time.
Public testimony split sharply. Beau Madrid and others favored keeping virtual workshops optional, saying they increase participation, are easier for people with mobility or scheduling constraints and are recorded for those who cannot attend. Abby Feller, Donna Carroll and other nearby residents said in‑person meetings give neighbors a chance to ask questions directly and foster better dialogue, and they urged a return to face‑to‑face workshops.
Commissioner John Smith said he supports in‑person workshops and is canvassing churches to identify willing venues; Commissioner Theresa Mast urged a measured approach and suggested an inventory of potential church and library venues because some congregations are reluctant to host controversial meetings. Commissioner Ron Kutzinger argued the digital format expands access and allows visual presentation recording and playback.
After discussion, the board paused further action and asked staff to compile data on potential in‑person venues, including churches and libraries, examine distance‑radius requirements (the current resolution sets a 2‑mile radius within the urban service boundary and 5 miles otherwise), and return with more public input and options. No ordinance or resolution change was adopted at the meeting.
Staff noted hybrid meetings raise technical and logistics challenges and that any change would require adjustments to the implementing resolution. Commissioner Smith said he will collect venue lists from ministerial groups and bring the results back for consideration.
