Venice planning commission hears debate over Village at Laurel and Jacaranda site plan; traffic, buffering and stormwater raised

The Planning Commission on Jan. 7 heard a contested site‑and‑development‑plan for the Village at Laurel and Jacaranda, a proposed 61,375‑square‑foot retail center on a 10.42‑acre parcel at the southwest corner of Laurel Road and Jacaranda Boulevard.

Staff and the applicant told the commission the plan complies with the Milano planned unit development (PUD) and the City of Venice Land Development Code. "There is sufficient information on the record for planning commission to take an action on this site and development plan," Nicole Tremblay, senior planner, said during her presentation. "The cap was 70,240 square feet. They're currently proposing 61,375 square feet."

Why it matters: Commissioners must decide whether the site plan meets local code and the binding master plan while weighing concerns about compatibility, traffic safety and downstream flooding raised repeatedly by affected parties and neighborhood groups. Planning commission decisions on site plans are final unless appealed to city council.

What the applicant says: Jeffrey Boone, attorney for Border and Jacaranda Holdings LLC, told commissioners the written application and supporting materials in the record provide "competent substantial evidence" that the plan meets the city's standards. The proposal includes two retail buildings (a grocery with drive‑through pharmacy and liquor sales, plus six smaller tenant spaces) and an undeveloped future phase area.

Traffic and access: The…