Residents push back on Manasota Beach Road alignment and urge in‑person neighborhood workshops

A cluster of public commenters from Sarasota National and surrounding neighborhoods used the Board’s open‑to‑the‑public time to press commissioners on the proposed Manasota/Minnesota Beach Road extension and on neighborhood‑workshop rules. Speakers described the proposed alignment as running 40 feet behind some homes, cited estimates of 21,280 vehicles per day from prior committee presentations, and urged the board to consider alternative routings, buffering, noise mitigation, speed‑limit reductions and updated environmental and economic impact studies.

Commissioner discussion earlier in the agenda on neighborhood workshop formats (in‑person vs. virtual) framed part of the reaction. Planning staff said neighborhood workshops stem from comprehensive‑plan policy and a resolution that currently allows in‑person or electronic formats; staff noted past moves to an electronic option during COVID and concerns about venue availability, security, and technology. Commissioners were split: some urged restoring in‑person workshops (with a possible hybrid option), citing better direct dialogue and local turnout; others favored continuing virtual options to increase accessibility. The board paused the issue and asked staff and commissioners to inventory churches and other community venues willing to host evening, in‑person workshops and to report back.