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Residents press Sarasota commissioners to curb jet‑ski activity at South Lido; Smith asks staff to draft 300‑foot anchoring ban
Summary
Multiple Lido Key residents described reckless jet‑ski behavior and fatalities near Ted Sperling Park, urging coordinated enforcement. Commissioner Smith directed staff to draft ordinance language banning motorboat anchoring/mooring within 300 feet of South Lido Beach Park and return with feasibility and enforcement analysis.
A string of public commenters told the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners on July 8 that jet‑ski and other motorized watercraft activity at South Lido Beach and Ted Sperling Nature Park has escalated into a safety hazard.
“I flew down from Maine last night because I heard this was on the commission’s agenda,” resident David Rainer said, describing jet skis “doing donuts” and calling for prohibitions and stronger enforcement. Celine O’Connor, a Lido Key resident, told commissioners the board’s March assignment to research Chapter 130 (waterways/boating code) needed follow‑up and asked for better county enforcement and coordination with the city of Sarasota.
Multiple speakers pointed to recent drownings and a high‑profile fatality and urged regulatory fixes. Ezekiel Myshkowski and Peter Conrad described close calls for kayakers and swimmers and said they had repeatedly called police with limited relief.
Commissioner Smith subsequently asked staff to prepare ordinances to “prohibit unlicensed and uninsured commercial watercraft operators” from Centennial Park (a city park) and — specifically for South Lido Beach Park — to draft revisions to county ordinances to prohibit anchoring or mooring motorboats within 300 feet of the park unless permitted. The board voted unanimously to direct staff to prepare ordinance language and review enforcement authority and preemption issues with state agencies.
County Attorney Josh Moyer and staff noted coordination questions with the City of Sarasota, the sheriff’s office and state agencies; staff will report back with draft ordinance language, enforcement considerations and any state preemption issues.
The measure the board requested is a drafting direction for staff; any ordinance would return to commissioners for formal public hearings.
