Workshop to Look at Amending Comprehensive Plan for Retail Use

Sarasota County Planning Services will hold a public workshop to discuss the possibility of allowing retail uses in major employment center areas that have a significant amount of industrial light warehousing (ILW) zoning, a county new release said.

The workshop will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Colonial Oaks Park, 5300 Colonial Oaks Blvd.

According to the county, the workshop will cover a county comprehensive plan amendment that would allow the redevelopment of existing ILW within major employment centers with more retail opportunities, without turning the centers into commercial centers.

The workshop will focus on options for including retail uses in these areas. Planning Services will present findings about the market impact of allowing retail uses in major employment centers with significant amounts of ILW zoning.

The Comprehensive Plan amendment is being developed at the direction of the Sarasota County Commission in a July 27 public hearing, which was continued to Nov. 9. According to the news release, the commission then will consider the proposed comprehensive plan amendment and accompanying zoning ordinance.