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Planning board approves Selby Gardens Phase 2 conservatory and learning pavilion after tree and design review
Summary
The planning board found Selby Gardens' Phase 2 site plan consistent with code and approved the project 4–0 after hearing detailed testimony about alternative design options, tree health and mitigation, stormwater benefits and sustainability features. Staff recommended approval after DRC sign‑off.
The Sarasota Planning Board approved the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Phase 2 site plan (25‑SP‑09), a project that will replace aging glass houses with a new conservatory complex and a learning pavilion, expand public access to Selby's living research collections and add sustainability and resilience features.
Selby CEO Jennifer Ramonecki and project team members outlined Phase 2 as the next step in the campus master plan. Chris Chunfione (landscape architect / ISA arborist) and architect Jerry Sparkman presented the conservatory program, sustainable systems and site design. The proposed conservatory will house large portions of Selby's living collections that currently are not public, include a learning pavilion for adult and children's programs, and incorporate stormwater capture, a 100,000‑gallon cistern for irrigation, solar arrays and hurricane‑resilient construction details. The team emphasized continuity with Phase 1, which already delivered major parking, stormwater vaults and a public streetscape.
Public comment included both strong neighborhood support and technical questions. Affected residents and neighborhood representatives who spoke in prior items were generally satisfied with the buffer and landscape work; several local environmental and climate organizations spoke in favor of the project and its water‑quality and climate‑resilience elements. One affected person asked detailed questions about nocturnal lighting and equipment locations; the applicant confirmed that building systems and mechanicals are roof‑mounted and are not planned to operate 24/7 as an illuminated event space. The city's Development Services staff and the new city arborist reviewed alternative design layouts and mitigation; staff reported DRC sign‑off and recommended approval. The board discussed the completeness of the record; the applicant supplied alternative design studies to staff during DRC review and provided hard copies for the record at the hearing. After deliberation the board voted 4–0 to approve the Phase 2 site plan subject to conditions in the staff report.
