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Commission adopts in-person neighborhood workshops rule, directs fee review
Summary
The board adopted a resolution requiring in-person neighborhood workshops (hybrid optional), expanded notice distances, and an initial applicant fee of $215; commissioners also directed staff to study the true cost and return with a recommendation.
The Sarasota County Commission voted 4—1 June 2 to require neighborhood workshops for certain rezoning and special-exception applications to be held in person (with an optional hybrid/virtual component), expand mailed-notice distances and set an initial application fee of $215 pending a fee-study by staff.
Planning and Development Services Director Matt Osterad told commissioners the proposed resolution removes the COVID-era allowance for fully virtual workshops and requires workshops to be held "within an enclosed building," while giving applicants the option to offer a hybrid virtual component. Notice radii were increased: inside the urban service boundary the distance moves from 2 to 4 miles; outside the boundary it moves from 5 to 10 miles. The resolution also places responsibility for mailed-notice costs on the applicant and established an initial fee of $215, which staff said has not been updated since about 2009.
Commissioners debated practical issues including venue capacity, how applicants would estimate attendance and whether the county should require a hybrid option to preserve access for residents who cannot attend in person. Commissioner Mast warned the clause requiring workshops to "accommodate the anticipated size limit of participants" could be problematic if the applicant must reserve a venue before the mailing list and likely attendance are available. Commissioner Smith, who moved adoption, said the policy balances in-person community engagement with a virtual option.
Alongside adoption, the board voted to direct staff to perform a short study of the workshop fee and return with updated cost estimates so the board can adjust the fee by future resolution. Chair voted against adopting the in-person requirement, saying he preferred retaining full virtual options to broaden participation; the motion passed 4—1.
The resolution is intended to increase in-person civic engagement in land-use discussions while preserving county oversight of venue, notice and cost. Staff will calculate actual staff costs and report back to the commission for a possible fee adjustment.
