Venice planning commission recommends rezoning of Hazeltine property with stipulation to preserve cattle grazing

The Venice Planning Commission recommended approval on a city-initiated zoning map amendment, petition 2436 RZ, for the Hazeltine property at 3520 Laurel Road, voting 7-0 to forward the measure to City Council with a stipulation to preserve existing agricultural uses.

Roger Clark, planning and zoning director for the City of Venice, told the commission the petition would change the property's zoning from Sarasota County's Open Use Estate (OUE) to the city's Laurel East district, which implements the comprehensive plan's Mixed Use Corridor land use. Clark said the subject site comprises about 15.5 acres across two parcels and that the proposed Laurel East zoning allows up to 13 dwelling units per acre for residential uses.

The staff report and Clark's presentation noted the rezoning was initiated by the city as part of an effort to assign city zoning to properties annexed over prior years that had not received a city zoning designation. Clark said the annexation occurred in February 2006 and that the city contacted roughly a dozen property owners; Sharon Hazeltine asked to proceed with rezoning for her parcels.

Clark described a stipulation for the Hazeltine property: "the owner shall be permitted to continue the existing agriculture use consisting of cattle grazing on the subject property notwithstanding its rezoning to Laurel East, provided the owner does not discontinue that use for an exceeding 12 consecutive months." He said the stipulation was proposed to allow the owner to retain agricultural status and its related benefits while aligning the parcel with the city's land-use and zoning framework.

Dan Bailey, attorney for property owner Sharon Hazeltine, spoke during the public hearing and said the owner supported inclusion of the agricultural stipulation. "We are gratified at the city taking this action and would very much appreciate if that stipulation could be included," Bailey told the commission.

Commission discussion touched on compatibility with surrounding uses, including a nearby Dollar Tree, Abbott Construction Service, a wastewater treatment plant, and the Portofino/Mirasol development, all of which Clark said are consistent with the Mixed Use Corridor designation. Clark noted the OUE county zoning previously allowed about one dwelling unit per five acres and contrasted that with the Laurel East district's broader range of permitted uses and development standards.

Mr. Jasper moved that the planning commission, sitting as the local planning agency, find the petition consistent with the comprehensive plan and Florida Statutes Chapter 163 Part II and recommend approval of Zoning Map Amendment Petition 2436 RZ; the commission added the staff-proposed stipulation preserving existing agricultural use. The motion was seconded and passed by recorded vote 7-0.

The commission's favorable recommendation will now go to the Venice City Council for final action. Staff said the rezoning is being offered at no cost to the owner as part of the city-initiated program; any future development under the Laurel East zoning would still be subject to the city's development review processes.

Votes at a glance: Planning Commission recommendation on zoning map amendment petition 2436 RZ — recommended approval with stipulation; vote: 7-0.

(Additional context from the meeting: parcel address 3520 Laurel Road; acreage ~15.5 acres; annexation to the city in February 2006; proposed zoning Laurel East implementing Mixed Use Corridor; stipulation allows existing cattle grazing to continue provided it is not discontinued for more than 12 consecutive months.)