Proposed RV park on Lorraine Road concerns Lakewood Ranch residents

After rallying against a proposed zoning change from Fruitville Road north to Blue Lake Road in the fall, residents along Lorraine Road are expressing concerns over a new zoning change proposal.

This time, the proposed zoning change is for about 45 acres located at 2000 Lorraine Road. It's comprised of four lots a half mile from Fruitville Road and would allow for a recreational vehicle park. 

Kelley Klepper with Kimley-Horn and Associates filed a zoning change pre-application on behalf of SITC, Inc., which is owned by John Cox, to Sarasota County in April to allow for SITC, Inc. to construct the RV park. 

More than 50 area residents attended a virtual workshop conducted by Klepper and William Merrill III with Icard Merrill Timm Furen & Ginsburg May 2 to express concerns and ask questions about the RV park. The neighborhood workshop is a mandatory step in the zoning change application process. 

Residents raised two major concerns: increase in traffic and whether this proposed RV park would become another Sun Outdoors, formally known as Sun N Fun, on Fruitville Road. 

Sun Outdoors allows mobile homes, which can provide permanent structures and residency. The park also has a two-story waterslide and live entertainment that draw regular crowds. 

The proposed park will border David Fink's property on the north and west sides. His concern is that the park will disturb his peaceful neighborhood, and his neighbor Dave Stershic agreed. 

"I've only been out there for about 33 years, I know how quiet it is," Stershic said. "Sun N Fun has their band out by the pool on the weekends, and I don't know what time you guys go to bed, but I really like the peace and quiet out there." 

The attorneys said their client is proposing a completely different kind of park. The most impactful difference being no long-term stays. Residents were concerned that children could be registered for school using an address in the park, but that would go against county codes and the park's concept. 

SITC will be marketing to Class A motorhomes that drive in and out, staying anywhere from a weekend up to six months. 

Kampgrounds of America describes Class A motorhomes as “the most massive coaches on the market, and they run the gamut as far as extravagance goes.” 

“We want to create a more upscale type of RV community,” Merrill said.

The property could allow for up to 215 campsites at the minimum standard of 2,500 square feet per lot, but SITC is proposing no more than 130 sites to accommodate the larger Class A motorhomes that are up to eight-and-a-half feet wide and 45 feet long. The lots will also be “significantly set back” from the road.  

The plans also include a clubhouse and bathhouse. A queuing area will be incorporated into the entrance to prevent a backup of motorhomes on Lorraine Road while guests check into the park.

One of the access points into the park is proposed at the intersection of Lorraine Road and Dog Kennel Road. Windward resident John Knoakes asked if a traffic circle or stoplight is being considered, but Merrill said the traffic study didn’t warrant it. 

The study itself was also questioned: Does it take into consideration projects that aren’t completed? Merrill said the study has to look at anything that’s been approved, even if it’s not constructed yet.  

Buffers were also addressed. 

“Lakewood Ranch and Schroeder Manatee Ranch created an incredible kind of corridor using the natural features and providing buffers,” Klepper said. “We’re actually proposing to emulate those buffers so it’s a consistent theme from Lorraine Road where it cuts into Fruitville all the way up into the Waterside community.”

Because the proposal isn't far enough along yet in the process to approve a zoning change, Klepper and Merrill couldn't address all of residents' concerns, including noise restrictions, whether the park would have a liquor license and if an outdoor speaker system will be installed.

Sarasota County commissioners will hold two more public meetings, but the dates are to be determined. If approved, the RV park will take about a year-and-a-half to two years to complete.