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Central Venice Coalition urges city to assume maintenance of Curry Creek stretch, asks council to pause related site development
Summary
Central Venice Coalition told council the city should add a 0.45-mile stretch of Curry Creek (Sawgrass area) to its routine stormwater maintenance contract and asked the council to hold site development approvals in the joint planning area until flooding issues are resolved.
Representatives of the Central Venice Coalition presented priorities to the City Council on May 20, urging the city to address ownership and maintenance confusion along Curry Creek and to consider adding a 0.45-mile stretch in the Sawgrass neighborhood to the city's quarterly stormwater maintenance program.
Why it matters: Coalition leaders said neglected waterways and unclear maintenance responsibility increase flood risk and disaster-recovery costs for nearby homeowners and HOAs. They asked the city to coordinate with Sarasota County at a joint meeting scheduled for May 16 (city'county meeting date in the record) and to direct staff to evaluate adding the Sawgrass section into the city's maintenance program.
Key requests and council context
- Maintenance request: The coalition asked staff to investigate adding 0.45 miles of Curry Creek (Sawgrass side) into the City of Venice's quarterly maintenance program. Coalition members said routine maintenance could be done under the existing operating budget and would help ensure waterways remain passable during storms.
- Ownership and funding: The coalition cited City of Venice floodplain management plan language (section 7.22) that contemplates using public funds for work on private property where community benefit exceeds the cost. They asked staff and the city attorney to evaluate legal and easement arrangements that would permit city maintenance on private easements or parcels.
- Development pause request: The coalition asked the council to defer approval of site-development plans in the Joint Planning Agreement (JPA) Area 6 and the Lower West zoning district until Curry Creek flooding issues are resolved. The coalition noted a recent medical-building site plan had been placed on hold earlier by council pending resolution of flooding on Curry Lane and asked that subsequent nearby projects be treated similarly until the stormwater issue is fixed.
Staff direction sought: Central Venice Coalition asked the council to direct staff to (1) review ownership and easement status for the Sawgrass Curry Creek stretch and (2) evaluate immediate removal of a downed tree in Sawgrass that coalition members said could become an obstruction in the next storm.
Speakers and reaction: Steve Carr presented on behalf of the Central Venice Coalition and named HOA and condo representatives in attendance. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about specific locations; staff said they would coordinate with county engineers and legal counsel as needed.
Ending: Council did not take an immediate vote on the maintenance or development-pause requests at the meeting. Coalition leaders requested that the issue be discussed at the upcoming city-county meeting so ownership and routine maintenance responsibilities could be clarified and coordinated.
Sources: Presentation by Steve Carr and coalition steering committee members, and public comment from Joan Iacono representing Venice Thrives.
