News Briefs

+ Commissioners considers re-lease of Burns Square lot
During its Monday, June 3 regular meeting, city commissioners directed the city’s parking manager to continue to negotiate with Saunders Family Limited Partnership on the lease of land to use for a public parking lot in Burns Square, and to talk to merchants about contributing to the cost of leasing the parking lot.

The city currently leases the property, at South Orange Avenue and Laurel Street. In the past, the city has paid Saunders Family Limited Partnership $2,100 to $2,700 a month to lease the land and use it as a public parking lot.

City parking staff has monitored the lot for use, and currently about 45 cars per day use the lot, on average, in season and 32 cars per day use the lot off-season. In addition, the city recently gained 25 on-street parking spaces when it completed the Ringling Street roundabout project. Those 25 spaces go largely unused, according to city staff.

+ North Trail rezone public hearing is continued
At Monday’s City Commission meeting, commissioners continued a public hearing for a rezone of property located on the south side of Hampton Road west of North Tamiami Trail with street addresses of 1174 and 1186 Hampton Road from the Residential Multiple Family 3 zone district to the North Trail (NT) Zone District commercial.

Dr. Steve Bedi purchased the site at the corner of North Tamiami Trail and Hampton Road in December 2011 for $300,000. Bedi is proposing to build an international dermatology clinic that would help patients with skin conditions to develop healthy eating habits, exercise schedules and meditation practice.

Plans for the clinic include 26 suites, where patients will stay for one to three weeks.

Plans for the clinic include 26 suites where patients will stay for one to three weeks. Bedi is seeking a rezone.

SIESTA KEY VILLAGE ASSOCIATION Meeting Wrap up
At the Siesta Key Village Association meeting Tuesday, June 4:
• President Cheryl Gaddie presented outgoing President Russell Matthes with a plaque, honoring his service to the association.
• Board members, county code-enforcement officer John Lally and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office fielded questions from attendees regarding the Siesta Key Overlay District.
• Michael Shay expressed continued interest in adding recycling receptacles to the Village. He expressed the importance of recycling to maintain the beauty of the Village and said it would require further research to find the most efficient way to pursue the goal.
• Board members voiced continued interest in pursuing a Village trolley system.
• Mark Smith reported general satisfaction with the work of Champion Landscape Maintenance Professionals, hired through Siesta Key Village Maintenance Corporation for Village upkeep.

Meetings & Agendas
• County Commission Workshop — 10 a.m, Monday, June 10, Sarasota County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
• Planning Board — 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, City Hall, Commission Chambers, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• Regular City Commission Meeting — 2:30 and 6 p.m. Monday, June 17, City Hall, Commission Chambers, 1565 First St., Sarasota.
• Community Alliance Steering Committee —1:30 p.m. Monday, June 17, Sarasota School Board Chambers, The Landings.