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Sarasota commissioners direct staff to draft agreement allowing Hi Hat Ranch access across county land; vote 3–2
Summary
After a workshop on April 9, 2025, the Sarasota County Commission voted 3–2 to direct staff to draft a land‑transaction agreement with Hi Hat Ranch that would grant access across county property to construct a Bee Ridge Road East connection and secure Fruitville Road right‑of‑way. The board asked the county attorney to verify title and return with a draft agreement.
Sarasota County commissioners on April 9 held a workshop on a proposed land transaction to allow the Hi Hat Ranch developer to use county‑owned land to access Bee Ridge Road and to provide right‑of‑way for Fruitville Road.
County planning director Matt Osterhaus opened the session with a staff overview of the master development order (MDO) for High Hat Ranch, the county mobility‑fee system and the regulatory distinctions created when the state eliminated mandatory transportation concurrency in 2011. Osterhaus said the MDO, adopted by ordinance in June 2021, entitles up to 13,081 dwelling units and sets a build‑out date of Dec. 31, 2056; he told commissioners the package before the board now concerns a proprietary land‑transaction (access) rather than a rezoning action.
The developer’s representatives, led by Jim Turner of Hi Hat Ranch, presented the company’s offer: donation of Fruitville Road right‑of‑way (the family estimated roughly 18 acres with an appraisal near $3.6 million), a 50/50 cost share to widen Bee…
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