Developer seeks zoning change for 46‑unit Fruitville townhome project; staff requires resubmittal

Joel Friedman of Friedman Consulting, representing Sarasota Lanes LLC, presented a plan to rezone 2250 Fruitville Road from Commercial General to Downtown Edge and to develop a 46‑unit attached single‑family subdivision. Friedman said units would be three stories and that the developer will provide detailed lot plans as the project advances.

Planning staff listed required site modifications: clearly identify the primary street elevation facing Fruitville Road; provide a pedestrian circulation plan; label rooftop deck uses and roof‑plan dimensions; and update the site‑data table to reflect bicycle and loading‑space rules for single‑family attached units. Traffic reviewers requested that existing sidewalk gaps along Rawls Avenue and Morell Street be filled by the proposed development per engineering standards, and they noted turnaround zones and stop‑bar/stop‑sign treatments may be needed inside aisles to avoid vehicle reversals.

Public Works asked that refuse‑collection movements and cart spacing be shown on sheets C11/C12 and recommended that trash and recycling carts be placed 3 feet apart on collection days. The applicant confirmed neighborhood meeting concerns about guest parking and said a perpetual parking easement associated with a neighboring office property covers evening parking; staff requested graphics to show how guest and service parking will be accommodated.

Staff informed the applicant that a resubmittal will be required to address the listed comments before the project proceeds to subsequent review.