Posts Tagged ‘sarasota’

More Regulations Proposed for Sarasota’s Downtown Property Owners

Thursday, February 24th, 2011

Owners of property in each of Sarasota’s three Downtown Zoning Districts are receiving notices of a February 28, 2011 public workshop concerning amendments to Sarasota’s Downtown Master Plan. Properties within the Urban Neighborhood, Urban Edge, Downtown Core, and Downtown Bayfront land use classifications are zoned Downtown Neighborhood, Downtown Edge and Downtown Core, respectively.  A mixed-use urban zoning code implements the comprehensive land use plan developed for the City by noted planning firm Duany Plater-Zyberk & Co. The Comprehensive Plan contains certain fundamental elements of the “smart code,” which encourages land uses appropriate for the urban area and guarantees permitting for code-compliant projects.

City staff has recommended changes to the Comprehensive Plan that will allow the City to eliminate (a) the expedited review of permits, even if projects follow city codes; and (b) administrative or legislative “adjustments” to the development standards for projects in certain zones in the downtown area.  In recommending the changes to the City Commission, City staff cited requests to discourage projects in multiple areas of Sarasota’s downtown as a reason to make the changes across all land use classifications. A downtown discouragement zone cited by one commissioner and by City staff would extend 500′ beyond the RSM-9 zoning district (Laurel Park) and into the downtown (see this proposed zone on the attached map).  The City has only officially identified the first area intended to be subject to new restrictions.  The proposed changes will mean additional fees, public meetings and red tape for projects in the affected areas.  The City is also in the process of developing new subjective criteria to be applied to projects by its political review boards in all zoning districts. Property owners in all downtown zoning districts are urged to become familiar with the proposed amendments and to evaluate the impact that inclusion in a discouragement zone could have on their investment-back expectations and property rights.

S Palm Discouragement Zone_11-CW-07_Notice_022811

Proposed Downtown S Sarasota Discouragement Zone 2 7 2010

If you have any questions about these regulations, contact Casey Colburn, LEED AP, at 941-925-2970, or via email at ccolburn kirkpinkerton.com.

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City Secures Renewable Energy Agreement as Part of FPL Franchise Renewal

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

By:  Casey Colburn, Esq.

Sparked by a desire to promote clean energy, in 2010, the City of Sarasota debated creating a municipal utility vs. renewing a multi-year municipal franchise agreement. After several months of tense negotiations and lengthy public hearings, the City of Sarasota and Florida Power and Light Company entered into a Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Energy Sustainability Agreement (the “Renewable Energy Agreement”). According to a memorandum from assistant City Attorney, Michael Connolly, Esq., “The purpose of the Renewable Energy Agreement is to set forth in a binding contract the covenants made by FPL which would be necessary consideration to support the City Commission passing on [the franchise agreement].”

Mr. Connolly highlighted the products and services to be provided by FPL to the City and its citizens during the 30-year term of the franchise agreement in the memorandum:

•           FPL will provide educational resources and programs to inform and instruct the City and its citizens on issues related to energy efficiency and conservation programs and on the benefits and technology associated with renewable energy.

•           Prior to December 31, 2015, FPL shall perform an energy audit on all of the City’s electric accounts.

•           Prior to December 31, 2015, FPL will perform an energy audit of the 100 largest electricity consuming accounts located within the municipal limits of the City.

•           Within every five-year period thereafter, FPL will perform an energy audit for all City accounts and the 50 other largest electricity consuming accounts within the municipal limits of the City.

•           FPL will pay for one City employee to obtain LEED certification.

•           FPL will establish an educational testing facility within the City including new solar photo voltaic panels.

•           In 2021 FPL will install 10 additional pole mounted photo voltaic panels.

•           In 2031 FPL will replace the initial five pole mounted photo voltaic panels.

•           FPL will develop a solar school within the municipal limits of the City by installing solar photo voltaic panels.

•           In 2021 FPL will provide another solar school installation.

•           In 2031 FPL will provide another solar school installation.

•           FPL will install five electric vehicle charging stations within the municipal limits of the City.

•           In 2016 FPL will provide an additional ten electric vehicle charging stations.

•           In 2021 FPL will replace the initial five electric vehicle charging stations.

•           In 2026 FPL will replace the second ten electric vehicle charging stations.

•           During the next 30 years, FPL will perform home energy makeovers for 1,500 homes within the municipal limits of the City.

•           During the next 30 years, FPL will perform 15 non-profit energy makeovers for non-profit entities within the municipal limits of the City.

•           Subject to the passage of enabling legislation, FPL will develop a large scale rooftop solar facility within the municipal limits of the City.

•           Subject to the passage of enabling legislation, FPL will develop and install a demonstration LED streetlight pilot program.

•           Subject to the passage of enabling legislation, FPL will develop a utility scale solar generation project (perhaps on the Verna Wellfield site).

The Renewable Energy Agreement runs concurrently with the term of the franchise set forth within Sarasota City Ordinance No. 10-4917. The Memorandum, as well as the franchise agreement and the public hearing testimony can be found on the City of Sarasota’s website at www.sarasotagov.com.

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