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Board approves variances to allow 150‑foot flagpole at Sarasota Ford
Summary
The Sarasota City Board of Adjustment voted 5‑0 to approve two height variances allowing a 150‑foot flagpole at Sarasota Ford (707 South Washington Blvd). Petitioners said the pole is a long‑standing downtown landmark; neighbors and residents voiced support and the applicant said no aviation or hospital concerns were received.
The Sarasota City Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to grant two variances that will allow Sarasota Ford to reinstall a 150‑foot flagpole at 707 South Washington Boulevard.
Attorney Steve Friesen, representing the property owner, told the board the existing pole is structurally unsafe and the dealership seeks to relocate and rebuild the landmark flag display. "The flag represents a lot," Friesen said, characterizing it as a cultural and historical icon for downtown Sarasota. Owner Matt Buchanan said the pole has been an "iconic part of Downtown Sarasota" since the 1970s and that the community, including veterans, views it as a shared symbol.
The variances approved would increase the maximum height allowed in the Commercial Intensive (CI) zone from 45 feet to 150 feet (a 105‑foot variance) and allow an accessory structure — in this case the flagpole — to exceed the height of the principal structure by 128 feet 8 inches. Staff read the petition as Agenda Item 26‑V‑04 and cited the applicable zoning criteria the board must use to evaluate a quasi‑judicial variance.
Friesen told the board engineers specified a 15‑foot footing for the structure, leading to a total 165‑foot measurement noted in the application materials. He said moving the pole to the northwest corner of the lot will make it safer to raise and lower the flag and will help when operating at half‑staff. "We want to keep it there," Friesen said, referring to the landmark’s place in the downtown landscape.
Two residents who had been sworn to speak urged approval. "I would just offer my support for the variance change," said Melissa Morsley, who described the flag as a "great source of pride." Lucy McCandry, a longtime resident, asked the board to "consider making an exception to the current regulation and allow this iconic flag to continue flying," and cited the dealership’s community contributions.
Board members asked whether the city or nearby institutions had expressed concerns about the additional height possibly affecting helicopter approaches to the nearby hospital or airport; the applicant said no written feedback had been received. The petitioner also answered questions about existing pole height (reported in testimony at about 133.5 feet) and the rationale for the proposed 150‑foot replacement.
After limited discussion among members, a motion to approve the petition, including the proposed resolution and findings, was made and seconded. Staff conducted a roll‑call vote and the motion carried 5‑0.
The applicants said they hope to reinstall the flag in time for the Fourth of July; the board’s approval allows the project to proceed through any remaining administrative permitting steps.
