Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Sarasota commissioners unanimously reject D.R. Horton settlement for Smith Farm near Celery Fields
Summary
After hours of public comment, the Sarasota County Commission voted unanimously to deny a mediated settlement that would have approved a lower‑density plan for the Smith Farm adjacent to the Celery Fields, leaving litigation or further mediation as likely next steps.
Sarasota County commissioners voted unanimously Oct. 21 to deny a mediated settlement that would have allowed development on the Smith Farm property adjacent to the Celery Fields.
The decision came after more than two hours of public comment in which dozens of neighbors, scientific experts and conservation groups urged the commission to stand by its earlier denial of a rezoning request and to protect the Celery Fields’ bird habitat and stormwater capacity. Many speakers described repeated flooding in nearby neighborhoods and warned that development on the low‑lying site would increase flood risk.
The settlement would have reduced a previously proposed development and included a binding site plan with 85 homes clustered on part of the property, a 200‑foot buffer along Raymond Road, 45 percent open space and measures intended to reduce…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
