Commission denies zoning change

ENGLEWOOD -- Despite several concessions by a developer, a Sarasota County commission sided with public opposition and denied a zoning change that could have paved the way for a 95-unit condominium project off East Dearborn Street.

The county Planning Commission vote was 6-3 against the zoning change, with commissioners John Fellin, Terry Tuner and Jody Hudgins dissenting.

"The main issue is the protection of the neighborhood," said commissioner Laurel Schiller. "It would significantly change the character of that area."

The proposed zoning change -- from one unit an acre to 13 units an acre -- would have allowed for the development of a proposed eight-building condominium project on 7.36 acres near South Oxford Drive and East Dearborn Street.

Much of the property is vacant but surrounded by mostly residential property.

"Drive down River Road," said commissioner Marianne Reilly. "It's a dangerous road. It's terrible at night. We're adding a lot more traffic."

Other commission concerns included increased density, pollution and drainage problems.

A number of concerns, however, were lessened by several concessions offered by the developer.

Some of the concessions included:

* limiting building height to 50 feet and three livable floors above parking

* increasing buffers between the condominiums and South Oxford Drive and residential homes

* designating the South Oxford Drive as emergency access only

"The process works," said Hudgins, referring to the discussion between neighbors and the developers.

The builder had previously proposed to construct eight buildings reaching 69 feet high.

Fellin said the commission should approve of the change in part because the Future Land Use Map calls for such a zoning.

"That is in fact what the Future Land Use Map specifies," he said.

The proposed zoning change will likely go before county commissioners in March or April, officials said.

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