Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parkland Acquisition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Advisory board backs Sarasota County nomination for Pine Brook parkland, citing community support
Summary
The Venice Citizen Advisory Board voted unanimously to recommend city council support for Sarasota County’s neighborhood parkland nomination of a Pine Brook property; residents and the homeowners association spoke in favor.
The Venice Citizen Advisory Board voted unanimously to recommend that City Council support Sarasota County’s neighborhood parkland nomination for a Pine Brook property near Wellfield Park.
City planning staff member Mr. Clinch described the item as a neighborhood parkland nomination “located at 1220 Pine Brook Road,” and said the county had confirmed a willing seller. After listening to public comment from Pine Brook South residents and association leaders, the board voted to forward a recommendation of support to City Council.
Speakers from the neighborhood supported the nomination as a modest, passive park. Jim Munkowski, president of the Pine Brook South Homeowners Association, told the board, “We’re not looking for any extensive parkland use on here. … We feel this would be a great acquisition.” Loretta Baradinelli, who nominated the site, said the parcel is “2.3 acres of green space” with several live oaks and that the county’s preliminary review found the property met most of the program’s criteria.
Staff described the current stage as the county’s acquisition process; if the city endorses the nomination, City Council would send a letter of support to Sarasota County and the county would continue its own evaluation, appraisal and purchase process.
The board’s recommendation passed by roll-call vote with all members recorded in favor. Board members asked questions about safety and access because Pine Brook Road carries heavy traffic; staff replied that specific park design, access and safety accommodations would be decided later if the county proceeds with purchase and the city participates in any future project planning.
The board noted that the application materials list specific potential uses, including a playground or passive picnic areas, but staff said those descriptions are conceptual only at this nomination stage and do not bind future site planning.
The transcript includes a small discrepancy in the address listed: the meeting agenda earlier referenced 1222 Pine Brook while staff and public comments repeatedly used 1220 Pine Brook Road. The board’s recommendation does not bind the city to a final land-use decision; it only asks City Council to convey support for the county’s nomination process.
