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Resident reiterates opposition to 18-story 1216 North Palm development ahead of Feb. 12 appeal
Summary
A downtown resident told commissioners Jan. 21 he will appeal staff approval of the 1216 North Palm project to the planning board, citing multiple code and compatibility concerns.
A Sarasota resident said Jan. 21 he will appeal the city staff—s approval of the proposed 18-story project at 1216 North Palm to the planning board on Feb. 12, urging the commission to deny the application for multiple reasons including alleged code noncompliance and neighborhood incompatibility.
Ron Shapiro, who identified himself as a Sarasota resident, said his opposition has continued for three years and that the project fails the city—s zoning code in at least three areas: full retail frontage, habitable space and facades. He also said the developer was granted a trash-handling exception at a time close to the city manager—s resignation and questioned that decision.
Shapiro said the building is out of scale for the lot and will harm the quality of life for residents and nearby businesses. "This huge building is a poor fit on such a small lot relative to the nearby buildings in this neighborhood," he said, telling the commission the project offers "0 public good to help offset all the major negatives." He said proponents have offered no public forums and that petitions and public comments oppose the project.
Shapiro told the commission he believes the matter will be heard by the planning board on Feb. 12.
No action on the project was taken by the commission during the meeting.
