Mike Cosentino stakes claim on Beach Road

The Sarasota County Appraiser’s website still lists Thomas Hamilton as the owner of 10 Beach Road, but according to Hamilton that is no longer the case.

Mike Cosentino, the Siesta Key resident who has been vocal in his opposition to the county’s decision to vacate a segment of roadway between Avenida Messina and Columbus Boulevard, has purchased the lot.

The lot is best known for the old pier that sits seaward of Beach Access 2.

Cosentino filed a legal complaint against the county in early June contesting its decision to formally vacate its interests in a portion of roadway in front of three Beach Road properties. The northernmost portion of Beach Road between Avenida Messina and Columbus Boulevard has been temporarily closed since 1993.

The county’s agreement with the property owners includes a 60-foot pedestrian easement parallel to the shore and a five-foot easement that runs perpendicular to the shoreline, allowing pedestrian access.

However, Cosentino fears the county’s decision to vacate the road may create the potential for future development, despite property owners’ assertions to the contrary.

Since filing his legal complaint, Cosentino has massed public support for his initiative. Now, as his window to formally file a lawsuit against the county nears a close, he hopes that purchasing the lot at 10 Beach Road will strengthen his claim against the property owners.

According to Cosentino, although he and his attorney, Ralf Brookes, were confident Cosentino’s residency on Siesta Key gave him sufficient claim to contest the county’s decision, Cosentino wanted to strengthen his claim by becoming a Beach Road property owner himself.

Going forward, Cosentino said he intends to preserve the pier.

"...I would like it to be known that the public is more than welcome to use it,” Cosentino said.