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Sarasota commissioners direct staff to pause High Hat Ranch agreement, seek further review and community input
Summary
The Board voted unanimously to direct staff not to proceed with the current High Hat Ranch agreements and to return to the Board within six months after further review, additional questions, and possible public workshops.
The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners voted Feb. 11 to direct staff not to move forward with the current High Hat Ranch agreements and to return to the board within six months for further review and public discussion. The motion, moved from the dais and amended to include a six-month timeline, passed on a 5-0 voice vote.
The chair introduced the motion, saying the High Hat proposal is a "13,000 dwelling unit master plan development" that requires more time and public engagement. "This is a very large project ... it deserves more time and attention, and it deserves input from the community," the chair said. The motion explicitly directed staff not to work on the current agreements and asked staff to bring the item back within six months.
Commissioners who spoke during the discussion variously urged a workshop format, clearer staff briefing materials and timelines, and attention to transparency and ethics. Commissioner Smith said she had "some questions" she wanted answered before allowing staff to resume negotiations; Commissioner Knight advocated for an open workshop format so staff would not be caught off guard and the public could see deliberations. Commissioner Mast supported a thorough review and flagged inaccuracies in media coverage, saying the board should be transparent.
County Administrator Jonathan (recorded in the transcript using a first name) told commissioners they could tighten direction after the vote to clarify whether the follow-up would be a workshop or a regular meeting and whether the developer or other stakeholders would be invited.
The board then took a voice vote: "All those in favor, aye," recorded as unanimous, and the chair announced the motion carried 5-0. Commissioners said staff and board members can bring the matter back sooner if additional information warrants it. The motion does not adopt or reject any substantive terms of the High Hat proposal; it only halts staff work on the current agreements and sets a return timetable.
