County Approves Lakewood Ranch Rezonings, Overriding Planning Board

Sarasota County commissioners approved the final two Lakewood Ranch Southeast rezonings Wednesday, overriding an 8-0 recommendation from the county Planning Commission to deny them. The decisions cover approximately 900 acres north of Fruitville Road, adjacent to rural Old Miakka, and allow for up to 1,088 additional homes within Lakewood Ranch Southeast, a development capped at 5,000 homes. The increased housing density could strain Fruitville Road, wetlands feeding sensitive coastal ecosystems, and nearby rural communities within the Myakka River watershed.

Traffic dominated the hearing. County staff reported no construction funding for the 4.6-mile stretch of Fruitville Road east of Lorraine Road. Jane Grandbouche, an Old Miakka resident, showed commissioners photographs of recent traffic backups, calling the road "a death trap." The developer stated the planned four-lane Bourneside Boulevard would divert 75% of peak traffic toward University Parkway. Opponents questioned traffic counts conducted in June, when school was out, suggesting patterns might differ from peak season traffic closer to downtown Sarasota.

Environmental concerns also drew testimony. Developer planner Katie LaBarr said the wildlife corridor would include native plants and warning signs for drivers. The plan does not feature separate wildlife passageways beneath or over roads. LaBarr stated crews would pave one-tenth of an acre of wetlands, but resident Brad Grandbouche argued that segmenting connected wetlands would damage habitat. Becky Ayech, representing the Miakka Community Club, raised concerns about unlined retention ponds holding treated wastewater potentially impacting downstream water quality.

Developer attorney Kyle Grimes asserted that prior county approvals had already established the property's development potential. Sarasota County approved the broader Lakewood Ranch development in 2022, a decision that survived a court challenge. County Attorney Joshua Moye advised commissioners that Wednesday's hearing required them to verify the developer's adherence to rules set by earlier boards, ensuring consistency with Sarasota's long-term growth plans.

Commissioner Mark Smith voted for the rezonings reluctantly, criticizing the 93 affordable units tied to the plan because their affordability requirement lasts only through the first sale or rental year. "The affordable housing component there is pretty much a joke," Smith said. Chair Ron Cutsinger supported the decision without reservation, stating the plan offered "everything you want in a development." Commissioner Teresa Mast urged the community to welcome new neighbors. The commission's vote allows the two Lakewood Ranch Southeast properties to proceed under the approved development framework.