Good morning to you Sarasota! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: 3rd Annual Harvest Festival and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Sarasota County church resumes full homeless outreach services (heraldtribune.com) — Homeless residents in Sarasota can again access Remnant Cafe's full outreach services four days a week, including showers, laundry, meals, and transportation from downtown while a county cease-and-desist order is delayed until December 2. The church's expanded schedule, ongoing zoning fight, and neighbors' concerns highlight how Sarasota County is still struggling to balance neighborhood impacts with urgently needed homeless services.
2. Residents, boaters debate use of enclosed boat slips in Little Sarasota Bay (baynews9.com) — A proposed special permit for an enclosed boat slip on Little Sarasota Bay has neighbors worried it could spoil waterfront views and create storm hazards, while some boaters argue covered slips protect costly vessels and help older residents. Sarasota County commissioners will decide in November whether to allow this exception, which could set a precedent for docks around Siesta Key and greater Sarasota County.
3. WINCHESTER RANCH: Development with 6,500 homes takes steps forward in North Port (yoursun.com) — North Port commissioners have agreed to consider formal changes that could allow annexation and development of Winchester Ranch, a roughly 3,000-acre project in unincorporated Sarasota County tied to Wellen Park. With up to 6,500 homes and commercial space envisioned, residents and officials are debating water supply, traffic, staffing, and who pays for infrastructure as Sarasota County prepares its own discussion.
4. Sarasota County faces two more Live Local lawsuits, four others move forward (businessobserverfl.com) — Developers are suing Sarasota County to use Florida's Live Local Act to build large mixed-income housing projects in rural and estate-zoned areas, challenging the commission's stance that those zones don't qualify. A recent court ruling shielded commissioners personally but lets six lawsuits proceed, potentially reshaping where higher-density "affordable" housing can be built across the county.
5. Second Heart Homes Names Manatee County Residence in Honor of Judge Erika Quartermaine (srqmagazine.com) — Sarasota County Court Judge Erika Quartermaine is being honored with a new Second Heart Homes residence in Manatee County named Erika's House of Hope, recognizing her work on mental illness and homelessness. The nonprofit, active in the Sarasota-Manatee region, now operates 14 homes supporting 86 adults without relying on government funding, instead depending on local donors and partners.
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Ok Sarasota! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What do you call a paper airplane that can't fly?" — Stationary (Thank you David H. for sending it in!)
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