Englewood Resident Seeks Manasota Beach Rd. Expansion Hearing Delay

An Englewood resident challenging the Manasota Beach Road Extension project has asked Sarasota County Commissioners to postpone a Sept. 21 administrative hearing. Kelly Bauman, a project opponent, cited an "humanly impossible" timeline for preparing her case.

Bauman argued that receiving crucial discovery documents as late as Sept. 11 would leave her only one weekend to review them before her materials are due to opposing counsel on Sept. 14. The hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21.

Bauman's challenge focuses on an amended Southwest Florida Water Management District permit for the two-mile road extension. Developer Pat Neal initiated the project, which aims to link Wellen Park development to nearby beaches and serve as a hurricane evacuation route. Sarasota County has committed $15 million to convert the existing dirt road into a county roadway.

The project has faced significant local opposition, with residents fearing increased traffic congestion and potential flooding. Bauman raised concerns that the stormwater management permit will not adequately protect her property from future flooding.

Her legal challenge advanced Aug. 21 when Judge Suzanne Van Wyck denied a motion to dismiss her case.

Bauman stated in her appeal to county commissioners, "If technical discovery arrives on the 11th, essentially, I have one weekend to review it. This is humanly impossible to navigate fairly even if I had an attorney and a legal team, which I don’t." She added that residents are constituents, not adversaries, to the commissioners.

Other flood-sensitive areas are monitoring the Manasota Beach Road extension for its stormwater impacts, wetland disturbance, and long-term resilience.