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Sarasota County Commissioners deny rezoning near Celery Fields amid flooding, wildlife and safety concerns
Summary
After hours of public testimony and technical presentations, the Sarasota County Commission on Feb. 12, 2025 unanimously denied rezone petition RZ-23-30 (Ordinance 2024-076) to allow a 126-home subdivision on the 50.82-acre Smith Farm adjacent to the Celery Fields, citing incompatibility, floodplain risks and threats to a premier birding site.
The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 12 denied a developers rezoning request to build a 126-unit single-family community on the 50.82-acre Smith Farm, which borders the county-owned Celery Fields regional stormwater facility and birding preserve.
The vote followed a full day of presentations and more than 60 public speakers, including local residents, conservation groups and technical experts. Commissioner Mast moved to deny RZ-23-30, citing incompatibility with the Celery Fields and floodplain concerns; Commissioner Knight seconded the motion and the board voted unanimously to deny the petition.
Why it matters: The Smith Farm parcel sits across Raymond Road from the Celery Fieldssouthern cells and the Raymond Road birding boardwalk, a site repeatedly described in testimony as one of the countys most important wildlife and ecotourism assets. Opponents argued that adding 126 homes…
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