Sarasota City Commission District 1: Kyle Scott Battie

Name: Kyle Scott Battie 

Age: 52

Family: I am the oldest son of Jean Battie, my mother, and my father, Henry "Hank" Battie.

Bio: My family enjoys a long family history in the community. I grew up in District 1 and graduated from Sarasota High School. My mother, Jean Battie, was an educator who taught at Emma E. Booker for years, and my father, Henry "Hank" Battie, was, at the time, one of the few African American entrepreneurs to establish a business downtown Sarasota at the old Quay. Growing up around my father’s shop and later working in hospitality, I learned firsthand the challenges facing local business owners and working families in the city of Sarasota. I moved back to Sarasota eight years ago and now host a local television show on ABC 7, which I put aside to try to make a difference in District 1.

Why are you running for office?

We all deserve a choice. To be clear I'm not a politician, nor am I motivated by politics. However, over the course of this past year, many people from my district have expressed concerns about the lack of attention and progress. I’ve seen other areas of the city improve, offer opportunities, and receive attention from the commission that sacrificed the needs of many in my district to cater to the wants of a few outside of the district. I’m running to provide an alternative and give District 1 a choice.

If elected, what will be your top three priorities during your term?

I know you’re asking for three, but I’d like to give you four:

1. Revitalize our District 1 neighborhoods;
2. Expand economic opportunity for our residents;
3. Ease the cost of living; and
4. Support the arts and culture.

How do you think the city is being managed and governed? What would you recommend be done differently?

It seems the City Commission is working for the city manager when it’s supposed to be the other way around. I see that as a problem because he’s not an elected official. That would change if I’m elected.

On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being excellent, how would you rate the performance of the city manager?

Let me preface this by saying when I began campaigning, I had no preconceived opinions or experience dealing directly with the city manager. However, in speaking with the people of not only my district but from all over the city of Sarasota, it hasn’t been too favorable. But again, I don’t know the man.

What should be done to address the supply of workforce housing?

This is a critical issue for the working people of District 1 and is an issue in dire need of being addressed. We have a moral obligation to create an environment that incentivizes workforce housing for the people who work and serve our community. Communities that implement a zoning code that embraces density and incentivizes workforce housing see it created. Those that do not lack workforce housing. It’s that simple.

Do you support creating a special tax-increment financing district near the Bay Park to help finance the $200 million project? If not, how do you think the park renovation should be funded?

Yes, I support using tax increment financing as part of a diversified source of funding for The Bay park.

The Van Wezel Foundation is supporting the development of a new performing arts center at the Bay Park. What’s your view of that, and how do you think a center should be financed?

A new performing art center is needed and will be the centerpiece of the The Bay park project and funded by the same mechanism as the park. Additionally, local workforce is an essential element of the project to help strengthen the local economy during these tough economic times.

Bobby Jones Golf Club: Do you agree with the commission’s most recent decision to downsize to 27 holes of golf and a 130-acre park? If not, what would you propose differently?

Yes. 

Where do you stand on the roundabout at Gulfstream and U.S. 41?

That intersection is a mess, and something has to be done to streamline the flow of traffic. I am open to any idea that keeps traffic moving.

The STOP group wanted the city to require public review hearings for large development projects in the city instead of administrative reviews by the city staff. What’s your position on that?

Changes and public input should be done in the zoning process, not the review process. Administrative review helps streamline the process that is necessary to see the kind of redevelopment and investment in areas of our city that desperately need it. In 2016, the Obama White House put out an affordable housing guide that said: “These processes predispose development decisions to become centers of controversy and can add significant costs to the overall development budget due to the delay and uncertainty they engender. The tradeoffs that developers make to account for those additional costs can result in lost affordability, quality, or quantity of units developed.” I support former President Barack Obama’s position on this.

Many people have complained about all the condos and apartments being developed with little setbacks. If elected, will you initiate a change to the city’s zoning?

It all depends on the location. Downtown setbacks are completely different than solely residential areas and neighborhoods. I look forward to improving our zoning codes accordingly. I find them to be a bit antiquated and in need of being brought up to date.

The transportation concerns of the city’s barrier islands don’t always mesh with those of downtown and other portions of the city. What’s the best way to align those competing concerns?

Not just with transportation but every area of the city and its neighborhoods have their own issues and interests, and sometimes they compete. To move forward on any issue with competing interests there usually has to be compromise from both sides. I will be a commissioner who brings people to the table in hopes of finding a path forward.

What are your suggestions on a new home for the orchestra?

As I said previously, the commission has to do a better job working with our arts and cultural entities to find a suitable resolution that keeps them in the city of Sarasota. I’m open to ideas and discussion with the orchestra. 

If proposed by a commissioner, would you vote in favor of putting a referendum on the ballot to create an elected mayor form of government? If not, why not?

Yes.