Planning Commission denies sign design alternative, approves Leo San Marco site plan for 200 apartments

The City of Venice Planning Commission on a June 2025 meeting denied design-alternative petition 25-14DA for signage at the Leo San Marco development and approved site development plan petition 23-37SP for 200 multifamily dwelling units on a 30.17-acre project area, subject to three stipulations.

Staff gave the commission a detailed presentation on the two linked petitions. "For the record, Nicole Tremblay, senior planner for the City of Venice," said the project, proposed by Leo at Venice LLC with Joanne Rubio of Advenir Azura Development as agent, would develop 200 multifamily units and associated amenities within a reduced project area of 30.17 acres from an originally larger 73.79-acre parcel. Tremblay said the density equates to about 6.67 dwelling units per acre and that the design-alternative request is governed by section 87.3.5(d) of the city's land development code.

The design alternative asked to allow two ground monument signs without the columns the city's sign standard typically requires. Agent Joanne Rubio told the commission the applicant sought the alternate sign style to "match not only, you know, what the county is required to do when they develop Knights Trail" and to coordinate with nearby developments and planned county…