Sarasota commissioners deny rezoning for Smith Farm next to Celery Fields after flood, wildlife and compatibility concerns

Sarasota County commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 12 to deny a petition to rezone roughly 50.82 acres on Raymond Road from OUR (Open Use Rural) to RSF‑1/PUD to allow a 126‑lot single‑family subdivision. The vote followed a full public hearing during which county staff, the applicant and more than 60 speakers discussed stormwater, wildlife and neighborhood compatibility.

The petition—listed on the agenda as Ordinance 2024‑076 approving Rezone Petition RZ‑23‑30—was presented to the board by Matt Osterhaus, director of Sarasota County Planning and Development Services, and Everett Farrell, the county planner assigned to the case. The applicant team, led by attorney Charlie Bailey of Williams Parker and planner Kelly Klepper of Kimley‑Horn, told commissioners their revised plan reduced the proposal from 170 units to 126 and included strengthened buffers, limits on exterior lighting and a one‑story/20‑foot height limit along the roadway closest to the Celery Fields.

Why it mattered: The parcel directly borders the southernmost cell of the county‑owned Celery Fields regional stormwater and wildlife area, a site that county staff and numerous public speakers described as a nationally known birding destination and an important component of local flood mitigation. Residents and conservation groups warned that raising and paving the Smith property would displace stormwater storage, increase runoff into the Phillippi Creek watershed and reduce habitat for migratory and resident birds.

Staff and applicant presentations Matt Osterhaus read the public‑hearing notice and introduced Everett Farrell and the applicant team. Farrell summarized county staff findings and noted the property’s future‑land‑use designation of “moderate‑density residential,” the applicant’s request for RSF‑1 with a binding development concept plan, and staff’s analysis of compatibility and floodplain issues. Farrell told commissioners the…