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Planning board backs Habitat for Humanity plan for 17 townhomes at Rhodes & Aspinall
Summary
The board recommended approval of a rezone, proffered site plan and final plat to let Habitat for Humanity build 17 single‑family attached homes (fee simple lots) on a 1.35‑acre site at Rhodes and Aspinall. City staff and board found the proposal consistent with the new Urban Mixed Use future land use; the board approved both motions 5–0.
The Sarasota Planning Board recommended approval of a three‑part application from Habitat for Humanity to rezone, site‑plan and plat a 1.35‑acre parcel for a 17‑unit townhome development near Jordan Crossing.
Habitat representative Renee Snyder said the nonprofit will provide affordable, fee‑simple homes with low‑interest mortgages capped such that households pay no more than 30% of gross income. Consultant Joel Freeman described the technical package: a rezone from ORD (office regional) to MU‑1 (Urban Mixed Use) to implement a prior comprehensive‑plan map change; a proffered site plan for 17 attached single‑family homes organized into two buildings; and a final plat to create 17 individual lots. Freeman told the board the project meets site plan standards, preserves significant trees where possible, meets parking and circulation requirements and will include sidewalks and homeowner association obligations for common‑area maintenance.
City planner Tom Sikarsky reported Development Review Committee sign‑off and recommended approval. The board asked technical questions about tree removal, sidewalks, HOA maintenance of exteriors and grand‑tree mitigation; applicants confirmed mitigation and tree protection measures and that the HOA will be responsible for common‑area upkeep. After discussion the board moved and voted to recommend approval of the rezone and site plan (motion carried 5–0) and separately to recommend approval of the final plat (5–0).
