Commission to consider Casey Key development

Property owners on Sarasota County's barrier islands continue to test the line that bars building near the shoreline.

Sarasota County commissioners Tuesday will consider a request from 815 Casey Key LLC to build a single-family home with a pool, spa and deck 74 feet seaward of the Gulf Beach Setback Line (GBSL) near the south end of Casey Key. The county granted a setback exemption in 2007 for the demolition and redevelopment of a home previously located on the site, but the agreement expired in 2010, according to memo from county staff to commissioners.

The proposed construction include roughly double the amount of living area as the previous structure and isn't consistent with a majority of properties on Casey Key Road, but a staff analysis shows at least two properties with comparable intensity received coastal setback variances on the island since 2000. Attorney Charlie Bailey in the only recorded public comments about the request protested the design of the home.

Commissioners debated a coastal setback variance for a seawall on Casey Key for more than two hours Feb. 19, before denying the request, and continued a public hearing for a proposed single-family home seaward of the GBSL on Siesta Key during the same meeting.

During Tuesday's meeting, commissioners will also discuss a report from County Administrator Tom Harmer on funding for the local homeless initiative.

IF YOU GO
What: Sarasota County Commission meeting
When: 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 4
Where: R.L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice