Landings Eagle - August 2017 by Brion Palmer

AUGUST 2017 941.349.0194 | ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

PAID PARKING AT SIESTA BEACH A potential solution to traffic congestion on the island, county commissioners agree

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HOTEL County Commission asks for draft amendment to Siesta zoning regulations that would lower setback requirements for commercial buildings, including hotels

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MULTI-STORY HOUSES

Residents raise worries about boom in towering Siesta Key houses designed for tourists page

INCREASED WAVE ENERGY

Significant increases in wave energy striking Siesta and Bird Keys to be expected if Army Corps of Engineers allowed to proceed with Big Pass dredging plan, SKA leaders say

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Siesta Promenade

Plan revised to include 415 residential dwelling units and a 130-room hotel, plus commercial space, latest documents show. By Rachel Brown Hackney Benderson Development has revised its plans for the proposed Siesta Promenade project to encompass 415 residential dwelling units, a hotel with 130 rooms and 140,000 square feet of retail and office space, as outlined in materials submitted to Sarasota County’s Planning and Development Department on June 28. The application Benderson filed with the county in August 2016 called for 506 dwelling units and a 150-room hotel, with 140,000 square feet of retail/office space. A recent Siesta Key Association survey that included a question about the 2016 Siesta Promenade plans found by a ratio of 23-1 members agreed with the nonprofit’s “push for no increase in density or intensity” and its opposition to “any plan that will exacerbate traffic congestion.” More than half the members responded to the survey. In January, the County Commission voted 4-1 to allow Benderson to proceed with specific studies in accord with the company’s petition for a Critical Area Plan (CAP) designation for the approximately 24-acre site at the northwest intersection of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road. If ultimately approved, the CAP designation would allow Benderson a density up to 25 units per acre, instead of the 13 permitted for the county’s Commercial General zoning districts. That also would enable the company to construct buildings as tall as 85 feet, which it is continuing to plan on, as evidenced by documentation in the materials it filed on June 28. County staff estimated it would take up to 45 days to complete the review of the material. After the application has been determined complete, a county Planning and Development Services Department notice said, it probably will be another 60 days before the Planning Commission will hold the first public hearing on the Siesta Promenade proposal, with the County Commission hearing 45 days later, at the earliest. By our calculations, the County Commission hearing probably would not be scheduled before some time in November. Benderson is seeking county approval to rezone the property, too. As Todd Mathes, director of development for Benderson, explains in the newly submitted material, the firm “purchased the Pine Shores mobile home park and adjacent parcels that are components of the Stickney Point Road project in 2005. The property was used as a mobile home park starting in the mid-1950s.” However, Mathes continues, the county’s Future Land Use designation of the site recently was changed to Commercial Center and Commercial Corridor. “Accordingly,” Mathes points out, “our company has studied a number of different potential commercial uses for the project, ranging from a mix of residential, hospitality, and commercial uses that were dense and intense in form, to lifestyle

Multi family residential area

Street View

and town center projects that evoke new urbanism concepts.” Therefore, he adds, “What we are presenting to the County for consideration is a mixed use, open air retail/small lifestyle center... The proposed layout will significantly enhance the streetscape of the Stickney Point Road and U.S. 41 intersection by constructing a series of buildings along the perimeter of the property.” In the original site plan Benderson developed for the property — in 2014 — the project “would have transitioned quickly from commercial to single family residential,” Mathes continues. “The mixed use project provides a residential buffer, stepping down to a three story, multi-family building before transitioning to the single family neighborhood of Pine Shores Estates.” Continued on page 8

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THE LANDINGS EAGLE August 2017

Paid Parking at Siesta Beach

By Rachel Brown Hackney

A potential solution to traffic congestion on the island, county commissioners agree Given continuing frustrations of residents and visitors trying to find parking spaces at Siesta Public Beach, the Sarasota County Commission directed staff to work on proposals, including charging a fee, whose revenue could be used to provide more mass transit options. County Administrator Tom Harmer said staff would look at how other beach communities handle parking demand, and then staff will propose some recommendations regarding how the Sarasota County commissioners might proceed in addressing the situation on Siesta. “Paying is a very touchy issue,” Chair Paul Caragiulo pointed out, “but it is all in the approach.” If people understand how the money is used, they are more likely to accept a charge for parking, he added. “I think it’s a conversation we need to have.” In fact, Caragiulo continued, whenever he talks with people about the situation at Siesta Public Beach, they generally end up asking him why the county does not charge visitors. Commissioner Charles Hines suggested that residents would be allowed to purchase stickers that would allow them to park at the beach without any charge. Commissioner Alan Maio raised the topic of the demand for parking on Siesta as he gave his board report during the July 11 regular meeting of the commission, held in Venice. Members of the public have accused the board of having “done nothing to fix the situation on Siesta,” he said. However, just within the past two years, the county added 143 spaces to the lot at Siesta Public Beach and 34 at Turtle Beach Park. “We now are moving forward as time and permits allow” on creating an extra 140 to 150 spaces in a new lot on property the county’s Utilities Department owns on South Midnight Pass Road, he continued. When Sheriff Tom Knight ceases using a training facility on that parcel early this fall, Maio added, work can begin in earnest on a design for that space — as the board has

discussed during recent budget workshops. The parking lot also would encompass a turnaround area for the Siesta Key Breeze open-air trolley, as envisioned by commissioners and Siesta leaders. “So that’s 178 new parking spaces done in the last two years,” Maio pointed out, plus the free Siesta Key Breeze open-air trolley. As for the latter, he noted, “Its worst month, May — which exceeds everybody’s expectation — saw 600 riders a day. If one considers the average vehicle on the Key has at least two passengers, he added, that meant 9,000 fewer vehicles on the island’s roads. Then Commissioner Hines told his colleagues that he drove his daughter and some of her friends to Siesta Public Beach on July Fourth. “I took them up there at 10 a.m., and the parking lot was closed,” he said. Sgt. Jason Mruczek of the Sheriff’s Office told Siesta Key Association members on July 6 that the lot was full at 8:15 a.m. that day. With Siesta Public Beach having been named No. 1 in the United States again this year by Stephen Leatherman — Dr. Beach — the expectation is that the beach will continue to draw large numbers of visitors, Hines added. “We have to figure out a way to make it painful to drive onto the Key, make it convenient and free to park your car someplace else and get on a trolley or public transit, and expand that service …” Adding parking spaces on Siesta, Hines continued, is “never going to be enough, unless you want multiple parking garages all over the place, which no one on Siesta wants. Parking’s free. That’s another whole issue,” he added, drawing chuckles from some of his colleagues. The county needs a long-time funding source for the trolley, Hines pointed out. Yet, people have been reluctant to talk about the county’s charging for parking at the beach. “The trolley was a magnificent idea those folks on Siesta thought up,” Maio added. If the county could create parking options

off the island and extend the trolley’s route to pick up those drivers and passengers, he said, that would be a solution. “I agree with all of that,” Chair Caragiulo replied. The key for visitors who are used to the freedom personal vehicles provide them, Commissioner Michael Moran pointed out, is making certain they can get back to those vehicles quickly if they do use a mass transit system to reach the beach. In response to questions about the County Commission discussion, Harold Ashby, president of the Siesta Key Association (SKA), wrote in an email that he was unable to comment on behalf of the nonprofit, because the directors have not discussed the topic since he joined the board last year. “In due course,” he added, “SKA will address the topic and make its position known.” Mark Smith, chair of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, declined to comment when SNL spoke with him about the commission discussion. Then and now In early February 2014, the issue of paid parking at the beach arose at an SKA meeting: A woman in the audience asked then-County Commissioner Nora Patterson why the county continued to let everyone park at the beach for free. “I’m not the proper spokesman,” Patterson replied. “I was on the other side of this issue.” In 2008, Patterson was part of a 3-2 board majority that did approve fees for parking at county beaches. Subsequently, Shannon Staub, then the chair, changed her mind about the plan, and the commission scrapped the idea. On July 11, Commission Chair Caragiulo told his colleagues, “I know it’s a dangerous conversation to have about people paying.” However, he added, he believes that if the county started out with just a small area where a fee was charged, over time, people would realize that paid parking is the only solution to the traffic congestion.

LHA Meeting Notes At its regularly scheduled meeting, the Landings Homeowners Association board approved the addition of a rear roof on Peregrine Point Way, the removal of a tree and landscaping changes on Pine Harrier Drive, and a replacement roof on Flicker Field Circle. The board reviewed a drainage issue on Peregrine Point Way and has asked the owner for his suggested correction(s). The next regularly scheduled meeting is August 10, 2017 at the Landings Racquet Club at 7:00 p.m.

Notifications • September 4: Labor Day BBQ from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per person and includes all the traditional BBQ fare along with apple pie and ice cream for dessert. The sign-up sheet will be in the Pro Shop in early August. • Next Community Hauling Date is November 8, 2017. • Code for the Field Road door: Call the Main Gate, 941-922.5531. • Wanted: Writer/Editor with a Passion for news, information & Landings living. Editor must be a Landings resident. Contact Bob Stein 941-349-0194.

Serving the Landings Community for over 10 Years | www.landingseagle.com | Island Visitor Publications, LLC | 941-349-0194 P.O. Box 35086, Siesta Key, Florida 34242. Publishers: Bob & Emy Stein islandvp@verizon.net To advertise in print or on-line call 941-349-0194. Advertising Representative: Irene Brooks Please note that contributing writers and photographers are acknowledged with bylines accompanying their submissions. We sincerely thank everyone for their contributions. The Landings Eagle is published monthly and is partially funded by the Landings Management Association & Landings Racquet Club, but is independently edited and reported by Landings residents. The Landings Eagle is published by Island Visitor Publishing, a Florida LLC. Advertising rates and information will be gladly furnished by calling us at 941-349-0194, We are ready to answer your questions and to assist you in preparing your ad at no extra charge. All advertising and editorial content is subject to editing to conform to our style, and is copyrighted 2015 by Island Visitor Publishing, LLC and may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Violators will be prosecuted under federal law. The publisher reserves the right to edit or reject copy for any reason. Island Visitor Publishing, LLC is not responsible for any claims made by the advertisers. To access each issue of The Landings Eagle, please go to: www.islandvp.com. Simply scroll down to The Eagle image and click on it for the current issue. If you would like to view past issues, click on the text, “TO VIEW PAST ISSUES OF THE LANDINGS EAGLE, CLICK HERE” That will bring you to a list of the back issues going back to July 2013. For anything earlier you will need to go to the website: www.landingseagle.com ©

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THE LANDINGS EAGLE August 2017

Lifetime Achievement Award When you ask Dr. Irving Kushner, who spends winters in The Landings, what is central to his life? He will say, “Being married to Enid, who has been the foundation upon which my life was built, for over 62 years now.” Enid has a sense of humor; a few years ago, when Irv told his family “Enid made my life,” she laughingly blurted out...”Miserable”! Kushner worked at MetroHealth Medical Center (a major teaching hospital of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine) in Cleveland from 1958 until his retirement in 2010. Irv was appointed director of MetroHealth’s arthritis clinic in 1963, and later headed the Division of Rheumatology. He dedicated his time to patient care, teaching and research, focusing his studies on C-reactive protein, other acute proteins and their relationship to inflammatory diseases. He continues to publish his research, with over 200 articles and book chapters printed to date, including an influential publication in May, 2017.

By Dee Ricapito

President’s Column By Dick Bayles

Irv Kushner has impacted many lives. In 2014 he received, the Ohio Association of Rheumatology’s LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, for his exemplary work ethic, performance, leadership and achievements in the field of rheumatology. When Irv is in Sarasota, he helps Ralph Ricapito run the popular Landings Free College sessions on Thursday afternoons. His wife Enid continues to be supportive; you will find her attending the many Free College events.

The replacement of trees on the “S Curve” will be deferred until the ailing trees either get much worse or their roots begin to impact the roadway and the plantings in Greenfield Circle have been trimmed back to improve the sight lines at that intersection. In its ongoing review of our road maintenance and repaving schedule, members of the board and the roads chair are focusing on our next project – Peregrine Point Drive and Peregrine Point Court. In a survey conducted among board members and interested owners, it was in the most immediate need for repaving. As it is the sole access route more than 20% of Landings North homes and has numerous associated drainage problems, the project to fix it will be complex and expensive. A review of our lakes has resulted in recommendations for efforts to prevent further erosion of the shoreline on 6 lakes. Depending on the severity of the erosion, proposals include aquatic plants and use of geotubes, which were used recently to solve a similar problem in Lake 6. As I’ve mentioned in earlier letters, the combination of higher road maintenance costs and the correction of lake erosion risks will result in an increase in the 2018 and beyond LMA annual assessments. Our climate has returned to its summer norm – afternoon rain probabilities. Everyone should attempt to minimize the amount of standing water on our properties. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitos.

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THE LANDINGS EAGLE August 2017

County Commission asks for draft amendment to Siesta zoning regulations that would lower setback requirements for commercial buildings, including hotels By Rachel Brown Hackney height is above 35 feet.” What should happen, A June 12 vote by the Sarasota County Board Smith said, is that the County Commission of Zoning Appeals has prompted not only legal should consider a special exception petition action, but also a proposal for an amendment from an applicant seeking a smaller setback to the county’s Zoning Code that governs all of than the standards Thompson outlined. Siesta Key. Therefore, he continued, he wanted to With the consensus of the Sarasota County propose an amendment specifying that in Commission on July 12, County Administrator Commercial General, Commercial Intensive Tom Harmer will work with the county’s and Office, Professional and Institutional Planning and Development Services districts in the SKOD, buildings taller than Department staff on language that would 35 feet, up to 85 feet, be considered under provide flexibility in the Siesta Key Overlay the special exception process and that 2-foot District to allow commercial buildings taller setbacks be allowed for them by special than 35 feet to be set back less than 25 feet from exception. the street. “That would tie the building height with Several speakers from Siesta Key — including the setback,” Smith pointed out. a chiropractor who has proposed building a Fandango building next to Siesta Key Storage He would not want to see an 85-foot-tall hotel on Old Stickney Point Road — implored commercial building standing two feet from the County Commission to facilitate commercial included the interpretation that the street setback for the sidewalk, he added, but he also did not redevelopment on the island. In comments to the commission on the morning of structures up to 85 feet tall — the maximum height want to see “a building just over 35 feet need a setback July 12, long-time Siesta architect Mark Smith explained allowed on a barrier island in the county — would be of 25 feet … That wasn’t the intent of SKOD.” what he called the “unintended consequences” of a June half the height of the building. He drove by the Terrace building that morning, he Board of Zoning Appeals decision. On a 3-2 vote, the “The intent of the Siesta Key Overlay District,” continued, referring to the condominium complex next members supported the interpretation of county Zoning Smith told the County Commission, “was to keep the to Beach Access 5, and he estimated the street setback Administrator Donna Thompson that 25 feet would be commercial district pedestrian-friendly,” with buildings of that 170-foot-tall building is 40 feet. “That’s twice the height we’re looking for in any Commercial General the minimum setback for structures taller than 35 feet close to the sidewalk. in commercial zones on Siesta Key. Her determination “Unfortunately, in the district ordinance,” he district,” he pointed out of the Terrace. regarding the Siesta Key Overlay District (SKOD) continued, “it isn’t clear what happens when a building Continued on page 10

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Siesta Promenade

Continued from cover story

Facets of the traffic studies The documentation included an updated traffic analysis, as required by the County Commission. The Kimley-Horn and Associates report is dated April 2017. While noting that the “final access configuration of project driveways must be approved by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT),” Kimley-Horn says its analysis included these considerations: • That the project driveway along U.S. 41 allow only right turns in and out of the site. “In addition,” the analysis notes, “this intersection location was located as far north as possible to provide as much distance between this driveway and the U.S. 41 & SR 72/Stickney Point Road intersection, as requested by FDOT.” • That the westernmost driveway along Stickney Point Road would be aligned with Avenue B and C as a full-access, signalized driveway. Because of that, the

document says, the analysis included the assumption that the existing median opening at Stickney Point Road and Glencoe Avenue would be closed. • That the central driveway for Siesta Promenade along Stickney Point Road would allow only right turns into and out of the development. • That the easternmost driveway along Stickney Point Road would allow only right turns into the property. Kimley-Horn also points out that FDOT’s FiveYear Work Program for Sarasota County does not include any funding for roadway capacity projects within the vicinity of the site within the next five years. However, the report adds, FDOT has planned a “safety improvement project” at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road that is scheduled to go out for bids in July 2019. “The right-turn lanes are proposed to be modified to operate under signalized control as opposed to the existing channelized right-

THE LANDINGS EAGLE August 2017

turn lanes which will provide a safety enhancement to both pedestrians and bicyclists,” the report says. As SNL interprets that, vehicles no longer would be able to turn right on red from U.S. 41 onto Stickney Point Road or from Stickney Point Road onto U.S. 41. Because the County Commission called for the Siesta Promenade traffic studies to be undertaken during high tourist season, Kimley-Horn conducted motor vehicle counts at the specified intersections on Feb. 15 and Feb. 25, the report points out. The periods it analyzed were 4 to 6 p.m. on a weekday and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on a Saturday, the report notes. Residents of those immediate areas have said, however, that those are not peak beach-going times. Yet, the residents maintain that the high number of motor vehicles headed to and from the beach at the height of tourist season needs to be incorporated into traffic analyses for Siesta Promenade.

Racquet Club News |President’s Report If you’ve been to the Club lately, you will see that the court landscaping project has finally been completed. Kevin, Rudy, Hans and Edvin put in a great deal of effort and time as we ran into numerous unforeseen problems with drainage, electrical, irrigation and county

water issues. We are delaying the placement of plantings and trees in the various planters until later in the year, when the weather is cooler. I am pleased to announce that Peter Heijens has agreed to rejoin the board to fill Nate’s position. The annual court resurfacing will begin in late August and be completed by mid-September. Two courts will be out of commission during this period. This work is important in ensuring that our courts remain among the best in Sarasota.

|Manager’s Report Fall is right around the corner. For the 25th year in a row, The Landings will host the USTA National Senior, Super-Senior and Ultra Senior Father / Son Clay Court Championships November 14th – 19th. If you are interested in taking part as a host family, please contact Ralph & Dee Ricapito at 927-6261. This is one of the major things that distinguishes our tournaments from all the others and makes it special for the players. They really appreciate the personal touch that the host families bring to the event. I have even received calls from the players asking if their host family is available again this year. If you have any questions about being a host, feel free to call me at the Club or speak with Ralph or Dee directly at 927-6261.

By Dick Bayles

By Kevin Lechlitner

Now that August is here and the paver project is complete, it is time for our next project to begin. The annual court resurfacing will start in mid-August. Two courts at a time will be offline until all eight are pristine again. Even though the courts are much quieter in the summer months, I still suggest you call ahead for reservations. With Mo teaching on one court and two others down for resurfacing, our court availability will be somewhat restricted. Weather permitting, we should be finished by the end of September. That gives us a two-week cushion before the start of the Women’s Tri Cities tennis leagues. Be sure to mark your calendars for the Annual Labor Day BBQ on Monday, September 4th from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per person and includes all the traditional BBQ fare along with apple pie and ice cream for dessert. The sign-up sheet will be in the Pro Shop in early August.

|News From the Court I want to thank all the members that participated in the Wimbledon and Whites. It was fun getting to know you and we had a lot of nice competitive points in the Florida summer heat. Remember, when you are playing points and matches to keep it simple. Trust the technique that you have been practicing for months and years. Focus only on watching the ball and decide what shot and to what part of the court you want to hit the ball. Many thanks to Barbara Pendrell and Sue Lewis-Garrett and especially to Kevin Lechlitner for helping make the event extra special by getting everything ready after we came off the court to enjoy the delicious treats. Don’t forget to sign up for the US Open Round Robin which will be on Super Saturday (September 2nd) from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. After

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Siesta zoning regulations Thompson’s determination about the SKOD setbacks in commercial districts came in response to a query from Charles Bailey III of the Williams Parker law firm in Sarasota. Bailey was acting on behalf of Siesta Acquisitions LLC, whose principal is Dr. Gary Kompothecras, the chiropractor known for his “1-800-AskGary” advertising. Bailey informed the County Commission on July 12 that he would be filing a petition in 12th Judicial Circuit Court, seeking to overturn the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) decision on June 12. While neither the county nor the board would be named as a defendant in the case, Bailey said, the county typically handles litigation for the BZA. Addressing the commission himself, Kompothecras decried Thompson’s interpretation of the SKOD and the June 12 vote, saying the latter “was supposed to be a formality.” Instead of being able to put more money into plans for the hotel he proposes, Kompothecras added, “now I got to fight you guys, which I don’t want to do.” During his comments, Bailey stressed, “We have no application pending [for a hotel on Siesta Key].” However, he said, as the project team was looking into the

Continued from page 7

feasibility of constructing one on Old Stickney Point Road, it sought the zoning determination about street setbacks. Because of the BZA vote, Bailey said, “you’ll see simply bars and restaurants replacing bars and restaurants in old, nonconforming buildings.” After Bailey completed his remarks, Commissioner Michael Moran asked County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh if the only recourse for Siesta Acquisitions was litigation. The company could request a Zoning Code amendment to resolve the SKOD issues, DeMarsh replied. Moran then asked County Administrator Harmer about county staff action, if the board’s consensus was to pursue an amendment to the SKOD. “We can come back with a recommendation for how the commission can deal with those [setback] requests” through a proposed change to the Zoning Code, Harmer responded. “I personally would like that,” Moran told Harmer. Chair Paul Caragiulo indicated that was the board’s consensus, so Harmer said, “We’ll take it on as an assignment.”

Opposing views Since word began spreading in late December 2016 about Kompothecras’ plans, numerous residents have fought the proposal. Former Siesta Key Association (SKA) and Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations President Lourdes Ramirez has been among the leaders of the opposition. Responding to a request for comment about the July 12 County Commission discussion, Ramirez wrote in an email, “The residents on Siesta do not want to see our island become as overly built as the City of Sarasota. To have a 2 foot street setback for buildings taller than 35 feet is absurd. We don’t want to see a ‘Vue’ type structure in the Commercial General district on Siesta,” she continued, referring to a controversial new condominium tower in downtown Sarasota. “We will fight any attempt to shorten our setbacks.” Furthermore, in a recent survey, the SKA found that, by a ratio of 18-to-1, its members oppose any increase in intensity or density, beyond what the county’s Comprehensive Plan allows, in regard to proposals for a new hotel on the island.

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|Environmental consultant Mary Anne Bowie takes over the helm of “Reopen Beach Road,” and presents at Aug 3 SKA meeting Mary Anne Bowie, a consultant and Executive Director of the “Reopen Beach Road,” a not-for-profit political action organization, used the boiling-frog metaphor to summarize her concern surrounding the county’s decision to relinquish a stretch of Beach Road to private ownership. Beach Road, also known as Sunset Pointe, is one of the last remaining public waterside roads on the Key. Like the boiling frog in tepid water, many Siesta Key and Sarasota residents are not aware that more and more public beach access —including public right-of-ways along the water — continue to become privatized, Bowie told The Eagle. For instance, the Key “lost” numerous beach and water access points in the 1970s. More recently, in phases, the county lost ownership of Shell Road, a once public rightof-way leading to the beach, to private ownership. Now Beach Road is in jeopardy, and next, Bowie says, “conversations about Beach Access # 10 have begun, aimed at even more privatization, through development, of our precious beaches.” “It is a slow but steady,” loss of public access to surf and sand, said Bowie, who is scheduled to appear at the Aug. 3 SKA meeting to present on the complicated Beach Road controversy. “Everyone will finally be able to get all of their questions answered,” on Beach Road she told The Eagle before the meeting, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at

St Boniface Church. Bowie also has another anecdote for the Beach Road fight: losing Beach Road to privatization will finally be the straw that broke the camel’s back. The fight is ongoing. Opponents, including longtime Siesta Key resident Mike Cosentino, who started “Reopen Beach Road,” say the county’s decision to vacate the street violates its Comprehensive Plan. Cosentino wants the roadway — the last on the Key with a direct Gulf view — improved and open to the public. The county maintains that although it is abandoning the road right-of-way, its agreement preserves a five-foot-wide permanent beach access path, and has accused Cosentino of conveying misinformation. Sarasota County residents continue to sign a pair of petitions related to the increasingly tense battle over the 357-foot stretch of Beach Road. There are two separate charter amendment initiatives spurred by Cosentino — the first, if approved by voters, would prohibit the county from vacating public lands, including beach and waterside roadways, and parks and preserves; the second would overturn the county’s decision to relinquish a portion of Beach Road, the last road remaining on the Key with a direct view of the Gulf. As of June, Cosentino and a group of volunteers behind “Reopen Beach Road,” was just above a quarter of the way towards the number of petitions needed to

THE LANDINGS EAGLE August 2017

get both charter-amendment questions onto the ballot. Cosentino spurred the “Reopen Beach Road” organization, and in May hired Bowie to serve as executive director of the group. From 2002 to 2009, Bowie implemented a multi-pronged, pro-bono effort to grow Sarasota’s local green economy, producing Sarasota’s first green pages and promoting over 200 green businesses through Sarasota Green Connection, before the county began its green business partnership. She’s now at the helm of Reopen Beach Road. “Reopen Beach Road is committed to ensuring beach and water accessibility for all, including our elderly, our mobility impaired and our vision impaired citizens,” said Bowie, an environmental consultant who got her degree in the 1970s when environmental conservation was just a budding field. “We had to literally look up ‘environmental’ and ‘habitat,’ because the terms were so new,” she said. Bowie, along with Brian Lichterman, a former Sarasota County planner and currently a consultant, are scheduled to present on Beach Road at the Aug. 3 SKA meeting. Bowie’s goal is to cover several important points: • To define the issue in a short and easy to understand way for residents and business owners on the Key. Continued on the next page

CUISINE OF NORTHEAST THAILAND

Continued from previous page

• Discuss why the decision was made to vacate Beach Road. • What is the impact to residents and businesses? • What is Reopen Beach Road’s position, and why? • What is the organization asking for from residents and business owners? Bowie is also leading the newly-formed Siesta Key Beach Community Trust, a nonprofit committed to the long-term goal of acquiring and protecting beach and water access property and providing full accessibility for the elderly, mobility and vision impaired. The group’s first task is to obtain the Pier at Sunset Point and rebuild it to make it safe and provide beach access to all. Preserving public access in Sarasota County is especially important, Bowie said, because the county has less public access than neighboring counties. “We are in bad shape, Bowie says, based on her research on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection web page on coastal access: • Sarasota County has 35 miles of sandy beaches with 37 points of public access (approximately 1 per mile). • Pinellas County has 4 times as much public access as Sarasota with 37 miles of sandy beaches and 158 public access points (about 4.2 per mile). • Even with only 12.3 miles of sandy beaches, Manatee County public accessibility is 6 times easier than Sarasota’s because Manatee County’s 12 miles of beaches have 72 public beach accesses (about 5.8 per mile).

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Multi-Story Houses

By Rachel Brown Hackney

|Residents raise worries about boom in towering Siesta Key houses designed for tourists Call it a “tale of four houses.” In a two-block span, three new towering residences and one under construction epitomize for longtime Siesta Key residents the unwelcome changes that have been taking place on the island in recent years. The four-story structures at 547 and 551 Beach Road are advertised on rental property sites as being capable of sleeping 24 people each. Just a bit south of them, at 645 Beach Road, another multi-story house is well underway. The Sarasota County application for that project says it will have eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms. Yet, even though the house at 641 Beach Road is four stories, as well, it has only four bedrooms and four baths — and, the builder tells SNL, it really was designed as a singlefamily home. One-story, decades-old cottages on the Key increasingly are being replaced by multi-level dwellings whose owners advertise them on websites such as VRBO and Airbnb as being capable of sleeping far more people than the number of family

members who occupied the previous dwellings. Although most residents with whom SNL spoke declined to be quoted, they expressed dismay about how the guests of these houses translate into additional traffic congestion, and — on numerous occasions — piled-up garbage that sits at the curb for days, awaiting the weekly stop by the Waste Management truck. Concern also has been aired that these new houses brimming with tourists mean far more people would have to be evacuated from the Key in advance of a threatened hurricane strike. Yet, arguably the greatest cause for alarm is the potential for a raging fire in a structure built as a home, without the mandatory sprinkler systems and other safeguards upon which hotel guests can rely. One person who has been willing to comment publicly about her worries is Margaret Jean Cannon, who lives on the Gulf side of Beach Road. Cannon formulated her concerns into a four-page document she shared

THE LANDINGS EAGLE August 2017

with Siesta Key Association leaders and SNL. She and her husband have been full-time Siesta residents for 20 years, she writes. “We believe citizens should have the right to purchase, update or replace residences, operate rental properties.” They also believe property owners should be able to rent out houses, she adds, as long as the people are complying with the appropriate zoning and building codes, and other legal requirements. “We need growth to remain vibrant and viable as a community,” Cannon continues. “At the same time, we need to work to manage our growth, so we don’t overwhelm our environment, resources, infrastructure, or lose our ‘community-residential’ culture. We need management of our zoning and building codes to ensure the quality and culture of Island life continues to support our needs. All of us and our visitors want to enjoy our beautiful environment and Island Beach.” Matt Osterhoudt, Sarasota County’s Planning and Development Services director, has explained that the new multi-story houses — with

enough bedrooms for a wedding party, as Cannon describes them — are permissible under the county’s zoning and building regulations. He did point out in an email, however, that “as those properties move through [the] licensing process, Emergency Services staff may be needed to conduct a fire review, as residential single-family house construction does not require a fire inspection.” In response to a public records request, SNL received copies of applications and construction permits for all four houses. The Michigan owner of the properties at 547 and 551 Beach Road did incorporate a “complete wet pipe fire sprinkler system” into both of them, SNL has learned. In contrast, no such separate forms were submitted for the houses at 641 and 645 Beach Road. In a July 13 telephone interview, Daniel Gerdes, the registered agent of the company that owns 641 Beach Road, stated, he did not consider installing any fire suppression Continued on the next page

Continued from previous page

systems in the new structure there, because he planned it as a singlefamily home. “It’s not required by any code,” he also noted, referring to a sprinkler system. However, Gerdes said, he is well aware of other developers packing multiple bedrooms into new houses. Without fire sprinkler systems, he pointed out, “Those are a hazard.” Through a county spokesman, the county fire marshal declined a request for an interview. The zoning issue Both the houses at 547 and 551 Beach Road have been the focus of county Code Enforcement complaints, SNL has learned through a public records request. For example, since May 12, Code Enforcement has kept open a case regarding the number of vehicles parked in front of 547 Beach Road. In July 2015, a Code Enforcement officer found six cars in the driveway, according to county documentation. Then, on Aug. 3, 2015, the officer who re-inspected the property reported “multiple vehicles in the driveway crossing the sidewalk,” adding that law enforcement personnel should be notified about that.

Almost identical complaints were investigated at 551 Beach Road in 2015, Code Enforcement records say. Although rental listings for the houses at 547 and 551 Beach Road describe them as single-family homes, the county property records list their zoning as RMF1 — “Residential, Multi Family.” The same zoning applies to the houses at 641 and 645 Beach Road. In response to inquiries, Osterhoudt wrote in his email, “Planning and Development Services staff has reviewed the concerns brought to their attention. The properties researched are zoned Residential Multi-Family, and meet the requirements to be considered short-term rentals, which is consistent with zoning regulations. In addition, the structures are permitted for Residential Single Family (RSF) homes, but the code does not regulate the number of bedrooms in any RSF structure.” Osterhoudt added, “We understand that the Department of Business and Professional Regulations (DBPR) has been in touch with representatives of the subject properties, and informed them of state licensing requirements for vacation rentals.”

641 and 645 Beach Road houses next to Tivoli

547 and 551 Beach Road

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Increased wave energy

By Rachel Brown Hackney

|Significant increases in wave energy striking Siesta and Bird Keys to be expected if Army Corps of Engineers allowed to proceed with Big Pass dredging plan, SKA leaders say The Siesta Key Association (SKA) has unveiled one of the key arguments it intends to make against the dredging alternative upon which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has settled for the proposed Lido Renourishment Project. During the nonprofit’s regular meeting on July 6, Robert Luckner, a member of the SKA’s Environmental Committee, presented slides that the USACE submitted in its March 2015 application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to win a permit for its joint project with the City of Sarasota. All along, Luckner said, the USACE has been saying that its plans will cause no change in the energy of the waves hitting Siesta Key. “We’re going to challenge them on that.” Over the last two weeks of August, the first hearing on FDEP’s Dec. 22, 2016 Notice of Intent to issue the Lido permit to the USACE and the city has been scheduled in Sarasota. Luckner explained that the USACE’s studies about wave action were undertaken from May to November 2004, which was a “pretty stormy period of time,” given the number of hurricanes that hit the Florida coast. Pointing to the graphics, Luckner noted areas where the wave energy striking Siesta would increase in a range from 60% to 100% as a result

of the USACE’s plan to remove about 1.2 million cubic yards of sand from Big Pass. Bird Key would see wave energy strikes rising 80% to 100%, he added. Sarasota County’s Gulf-front property in Ted Sperling Park on South Lido Key also would realize increased wave energy of 50% to 60%, Luckner pointed out, based on the USACE’s own documentation. Why such big changes? The USACE proposes essentially to dig a hole that would be 500 feet wide, 13.5 feet deep, and about two miles long through Big Pass, Luckner explained. “What in the world was the Corps thinking about when they picked this as their lead alternative?” Referring to the USACE’s assertion that Siesta Key would see no change in wave energy, Luckner added, “They’ve just honestly been lying about it.” An alternative to the dredging proposal — which would enable the USACE to obtain sand from the outer portion of the shoal in Big Pass and from the existing channel — essentially “cleaning it up,” as Luckner characterized it — would have produced as much sand as the agency says it needs for Lido, but without the large increase in wave energy. However, he believes the USACE project team members chose the option they have settled upon,

he said, because “they think that new channel will trap all the sand that erodes off of Lido.” That way, the USACE can obtain sand more easily for subsequent renourishments on Lido. The FDEP permit would be valid for 15 years, FDEP documents show, though the USACE has proposed a 50-year life of the Lido initiative, with further dredging of the pass every five years. The proposal for the specific borrow areas also would prevent the sand from drifting down to Siesta Key, as it does naturally, Luckner added. “That, to me, is another red flag. They’re actually going to somewhat starve us of sand.” A third dredging alternative the USACE studied would have been even worse, he continued. It would have removed sand west of what is termed “Cut B,” meaning the dredging would have been even further out in the Gulf of Mexico. “That turned out to be a disastrous idea,” he pointed out, because that would focus all the increased wave energy on Siesta Key. “They dropped that like a firecracker.” An expert on wave energy will focus on this part of the permit application during the August Division of Administrative Hearings proceeding, Luckner told the approximately SKA audience. Continued on the next page

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A discussion with city staff After learning about the wave energy aspect of the USACE proposal, Luckner continued, he and his wife, Catherine - the SKA’s vice president asked to meet with City Manager Tom Barwin and other city staff members to discuss it. Barwin was surprised when they explained the findings, Robert Luckner added. During a telephone interview, Barwin said that the way the graphics were presented, with the different colors indicating variations in the wave energy, “in a small sense misrepresented the situation … which could be, I think, interpreted to really create a stir in people, when the dredging would result in quite a minor difference …” He added that the increased wave energy would be temporary, as the channel filled again with sand. Barwin said the meeting “was productive in the sense that we shared information in terms of trying to find a compromise to allow the vital work to occur to protect the shoreline on Lido and also meet our environmental desire to do no harm.” Yet, while he felt city staff and the Luckners were “very close” to agreement on certain issues, Barwin continued, Save Our Siesta Sand 2 (SOSS2) — the other Siesta-based nonprofit fighting the proposed dredging of Big Pass — has remained focused on legal challenges. Peter van Roekens, chair of SOSS2, has told SNL on numerous occasions that Barwin and other city

staff members have declined to consider a “Plan B,” as van Roekens puts it: a project that would not damage the pass and, subsequently, Siesta Key. “We continue to try to explain the need to have both the Siesta and Lido beaches in great shape,” Barwin added, especially with the changes climate change has produced. Research has shown that the water in the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay has risen 7 inches since 1945, “and it’s going to continue to rise,” he said, probably an inch a decade. “This is a slow-motion crisis that’s picking up steam… We all need to be working with and for each other.”

Proposed dredging area Photo by Elusive View Cinematography / Aaron Barnes

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The Recipe Corner

|The “Kitchen Ladies” Recipe

The Eagle Has Landed

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Mina’s Refreshing Cherry Lemonade Mina Davies likes this warm weather party-mix drink. It’s easy, quick and you have most of the ingredients in the refrigerator.

Ingredients:

• 4oz. Lemon-lime soda • 2 oz. vodka. (Optional) • 1 oz. jarred maraschino cherry juice. (To your taste) • Maraschino cherries, for garnish. Fill a highball glass with ice; add all the ingredients, stir well; and garnish with cherries. Yummy!

THE LANDINGS EAGLE August 2017

Jeff and Mary Kay Crotty in front of the Baha’i Temple in Wilmette IL (a suburb of Chicago). The Baha’i Temple is the temple for the North American Continent. Submitted by Mary Kay Crotty

Restaurant/Fish Market Serves Up a Big Dose of Seafood Freshness Living in Florida, you expect to find fresh seafood no matter where you dine. If you are a local seafood lover, you probably have a mental list of go-to restaurants which serve the freshest seafood. This new, up and coming restaurant/fish market will undoubtedly find a place on your list. Fresh Catch Fish Market & Grill, located at 7119 S. Tamiami Trail, just south of Stickney Point Road in the Buccaneer Plaza, is a casual restaurant/market with indoor and outdoor seating for close to 30. It occupies the space formerly known as G’s Pizza. The father/son duo, Bob and Devon Provost have a serious passion for seafood which started way back when the family lived in the Boston area. Their simply prepared, never-fried, never-frozen dishes are paired with a variety of simple sauces that serve to complement, so the freshness of the seafood shines. Your fish/seafood selection goes from the case onto the grill. Prepared grilled or blackened, topped with lemon and butter, Pico de Gallo or tropical salsa. Served with a fresh ear of corn on the cob and baby roasted potatoes. Soups, salads, sandwiches and steam pots round out the menu. If room permits, be sure to order a slice of their homemade key lime pie. Bob’s wife, Debra, makes the key lime pie, using freshly whipped cream. The restaurant also offers a nice selection of beers and wines.

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Belgium and she LOVED the food. The restaurant is tucked away in Buccaneer Plaza off 41 just south of Stickney Pt. Bridge that goes to Siesta Key. We will definitely be back. • Wife and I totally enjoyed our meal at Fresh Catch. Welcomed warmly by the owners and felt the pride they take in their establishment. I had the fish stew and crab cakes. Stew was thick and hearty and the portion was huge. Crab cakes are all crab and perfectly prepared. Wife had a side salad and grouper fish tacos that she is still raving about. Given the quantity and quality of the food, prices are very reasonable. Will definitely be a regular. • Tried this place on the recommendation of a friend. Came by for lunch. Staff is very friendly. It’s a new place and one can tell they are new to the restaurant business. However, that’s not a negative. The effort they are putting in shows. They really care about experience they are providing. I had the grouper tacos. My wife had the grouper sandwich. The grouper tasted like it was caught this morning. Perfectly seasoned and cooked. The sides are fresh and healthy tasting. We also got a pound of jumbo stone crabs that were excellent. This is definitely worth the stop.

Here’s what patrons are saying about the restaurant online: • This is my new favorite place in Sarasota or Siesta Key. It’s so good and fresh. I could eat here every night and you could with their daily specials. I want them all! We had the clam chowder and lobster bisque both wonderful, some of the best ever. The salads were nice and very good grilled bread slices to go with each. Steamed shrimp with old bay were fresh and delicious. The Royal Reds shrimp came on a skewer and were very good and big!! This dinner came with fresh corn on the cob and wonderful herb new potatoes. Devon, Debra, and The crab pots looked so good I wish Bob Provost See more reviews online at I could have had that too. Their one Yelp and Trip Advisor dessert key lime pie looked so good but too full to find Special orders and reservations accepted out this time! Nice friendly services with a family run business in attractive casual surroundings. Fresh Catch Fish Market and Grill is open Will be back anytime I’m in the area. from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 941-413-7133 • This Restaurant is a Wonderful Find! Excellent freshcatchfishmarketandgrill.com fresh fish. We had the Fish (Mahi Mahi) Tacos and the Fresh Catch. We brought a picky friend from

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Amendment to county Zoning Code designed to help Code Enforcement officers prove cases of illegal short-term rentals By Rachel Brown Hackney As the No. 1 Beach rankings have brought more and more attention to Siesta Key since 2011, property owners have capitalized on increased demand from visitors for accommodations — including single-family homes, Sarasota County Code Enforcement officers say. “I get lots of emails about illegal rentals,” Susan Stahley, the Code Enforcement officer for Siesta Key, told members of the Siesta Key Association (SKA) during their June meeting. She urged them, “Please call me any time,” because that is how she finds out about many of the situations. SKA Director Joe Volpe pointed out that he has communicated with Stahley “quite a few times” about illegal rentals in his neighborhood. “She does an excellent job, and she does an excellent job of following up.” The primary frustration in dealing with such violations, Stahley explained, has been enforcement. To that end, the Sarasota County Commission voted unanimously on July 11 to amend the language of the County Zoning Code relating to short-term rentals. A Jan. 31 memo from County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh to the County Commission explains that on Jan. 3,

12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Brian A. Iten reversed penalty orders issued by Code Enforcement Special Magistrate Meg Wittmer regarding the recurrence of violations of the Zoning Code’s short-term rental regulations. The Code Enforcement staff had issued a Notice of Recurrence against Marian and Isabella Wierzchos of 7315 Captain Kidd Avenue — located on the Intracoastal Waterway east of Siesta Key — “for engaging in short term rentals of a single family residence that includes a small studio apartment,” DeMarsh added. The Zoning Code, he continued, prohibits the rental of dwelling units more than once in a 30-day period and further prohibits the rental of less than the entire residence. Iten’s ruling focused on language in the Zoning Code, “concluding it expressly ‘prohibited specified rentals but not attempts by property owners to arrange for such rentals,’” DeMarsh explained. “The penalty orders from the Special Magistrate relied, in part, on testimony about three separate telephone communications between Wierzchos and a code enforcement officer arranging a short term rental of the property. On all three occasions, the code

enforcement officer confirmed rental dates with Wierzchos,” DeMarsh noted. However, Iten characterized those acts “as attempts to lease the property because the parties did not execute documents completing a lease agreement.” A June 6 memo to the County Commission from Sandra LeGay, manager of the Code Enforcement Division, pointed out that when Code Enforcement officers get complaints about short-term rentals, their first objective is to educate property owners about the county regulations and try to “obtain voluntary compliance.” If the latter effort does not work, LeGay noted, “the provisions of the code can be difficult to enforce,” especially in regard to the following: • Securing leases and receipts to determine whether a shortterm rental exists. • Obtaining legitimate rental records from property owners. • Proving that renters are not family members or friends. • Getting a previous renter to testify in court. • Proving that money has changed hands. LeGay added that staff has obtained advertisements for short-term rentals, but those are considered circumstantial evidence only. “Staff has also obtained information directly

from renters,” she continued, but that is considered hearsay. Therefore, staff had tried to rent properties via telephone, so evidence would be available for Code Enforcement cases. Those efforts had been difficult, she pointed out, but until Iten issued his Jan. 3 ruling, they had been generally successful. Therefore, to assist Code Enforcement staff in enforcing short-term rental regulations, her memo added, staff proposed an amendment to the ordinance: “Any attempt made to solicit, advertise, or commit the act of leasing a rental in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this section Residential Use Categories shall constitute a violation.” The County Commission approved the language as written. Aside from the court case … During Code Enforcement Officer Stahley’s appearance at the SKA meeting, she also discussed the difficulties of trying to prove illegal shortterm rentals. For example, she said, with one recent case, she had taken nine different sets of photos, and she had talked with one renter of the property in early April and a second in late April. “There you have positively an illegal rental,” she pointed out,

Happiness is… Finding the Positive Summer is here in full force. The heat. The humidity. The doldrums. But it’s also time for day trips, spending time with family, de-stressing. Finding the positive may take practice, but it’s an endeavor worth getting good at. Jerry and Jill Williams, owners of Abel’s Ice Cream, know a thing or two about positive thinking. If you stop into their store, you’ll likely notice several gentle reminders like “Chocolate Understands,” “Enjoy the little things,” and “Have courage and be kind.” That positive attitude came in handy during a recent trip to the emergency room for the Williams’. After a few short days in the hospital, they are on the mend and moving forward, better than ever. And, wow, talk about positive. Their amazing staff didn’t miss a beat! Did you know that positive thinking is scientifically proven? According to the

Huffington Post, quantum physics is uncovering proof that one’s perceptions and beliefs about reality actually alter reality to fit that perspective. Fascinating! So that means, if you’re feeling blah about the heat this summer, you have the power to change your thinking about it right now. And Abel’s can help. What’s better to chase away the heat than a cup or cone of your favorite flavor? They’re featuring the best parts of summer with Strawberry Cheesecake (The ultimate classic Cheesecake ice cream loaded with chunks of creamy cheesecake and a flavorful strawberry ribbon), Stellar Coffee (Rich Coffee flavored ice cream with delicious fudge and mini dark chocolate coffee cups), and Road Trip (Award-winning Chocolate ice cream with moist fudge brownie chunks & creamy peanut butter). Cooler temps and back-to-school are right around the corner. So, while you can, come

THE LANDINGS EAGLE August 2017

Jerry and Jill, the owners of Abel’s Ice cream

in and enjoy the summer with your friends at Abel’s Ice Cream and find out why, for the fourth year in a row, Abel’s has been awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence. They are located at 1886 Stickney Point Road, Sarasota, in the South Bridge Plaza. Open Sunday through Thursday from Noon-9:30 pm, and Friday and Saturday from Noon-10 pm. Learn more online at their website, www.abelsicecream.com or connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

because of the violation of the 30-day regulation. Nonetheless, she said, the photos and her conversations were considered hearsay, “so all that was basically thrown out.” What did work, she added, were records she had compiled showing names of the renters and the time frames during which they occupied the home. In that case, she continued, she requested a Finding of Fact. Therefore, she said, if an illegal short-term rental occurs again at that dwelling, she can proceed straight to imposing a fine. The 30-day rule Stahley also took time during the June SKA meeting to explain the Zoning Code language regarding the frequency of short-term rentals. Her predecessor on the island — John Lally — often entertained questions on the same issue when he came to SKA meetings. The Key, Stahley pointed out, is single-family residential zoning. Anyone unsure of the zoning of his or her neighborhood may call the County Contact Center at 861-5000, she pointed out, and the staff member answering the call can check the zoning designation for the address. Subsection 5.2.3 of the County Code says, “Dwelling units may be rented as a whole and for periods of greater than 30 days provided that a dwelling unit shall not be rented more than once every 30 days.” The code also notes that, with the exception of units designed for “community residential” purposes, “any rental or lease of a single-family residence to more than one individual and his or her family or roommates is prohibited, unless all persons residing in the single-family residence have full access of the entire residence, including the single kitchen, accessory buildings, and associated property.”

Ad News A&A Baby and Beach Rentals and ABC Baby Rentals proudly announce the merger to ABC Baby and Beach Rentals. Together they can look back on more than 20 successful years in renting baby and beach equipment in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and Anna Maria Island. The owners, Guenther Heyer and Karin Schilling will continue to offer premium service and high quality equipment. “We offer delivery of such items like cribs, strollers, highchairs, rollaway beds, car seats, beach chairs and umbrellas and much more,” notes Schilling. The store located at 2300 Bee Ridge Road and the selfservice location on Siesta Key will remain open for their valued customers. There is a store and pick-up location as well in Holmes Beach, 5253 Gulf Drive. Rentals can be booked online or by calling 941-929-1850.

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There is a little secret here on Siesta Key; the fishing is terrific in August! Many anglers assume that the heat slows down the action, but this is far from true. The reality is that due to daily rain showers, the water temperature is actually lower in August than it is in June. Hordes of bait fish cover the flats. This combination results in excellent conditions for anglers to succeed. The best action will be early morning, late afternoon, and at night. Snook love the infusion of fresh water into the bay. Snook migrate back into the bays after spawning out on the beach in August. Shallow diving plugs such as the Rapala X-Rap are very effective baits. They cover a lot of water and produce explosive strikes. Bass Assassin soft plastics also work well. Live shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards will also catch a lot of snook, particularly once the fish are located. Outgoing tides at first light and in the evening are the best times to fish. Redfish will begin to school up in large numbers in August. The bars south of Siesta Drive are worth a try. Weedless gold spoons and scented soft plastic baits on a 1/8 ounce jig head are proven baits. Hand-picked shrimp cast into pot holes is a deadly technique, too. Low, incoming tides are best. The deep grass flats on the north end of Siesta Key will be good spots to target speckled trout. High tides in the morning will produce plenty of fish. Spanish mackerel, pompano, bluefish, ladyfish, jack crevelle, sharks, small gag grouper, and mangrove snapper will also be caught by anglers drifting the deep grass. A live shrimp under a popping cork works very well. A jig with a grub tail is the preferred artificial bait, but plugs and spoons are also effective. The bars from CB’s Saltwater Outfitters at Stickney Pt. south to Blackburn Pt. will hold some very nice trout along with a few redfish. This area does not get a lot of pressure in the summertime. This is an early morning bite and a high tide is preferred. In the last several years, mangrove snapper fishing has been outstanding! Grass flats that drop off into deep water with some current flow should produce plenty of nice snapper this month. Live bait works best and baitfish will usually catch larger fish than shrimp. A 1/0 live bait hook tied on a 24” piece of 20 pound flourocarbon leader with just enough split shot to get to the bottom is the simple but effective rig. Surf casters should have opportunities for snook; the beach fishing for snook this year has been outstanding. Small artificial lures such as white jigs and small plugs work well, while live shrimp and baitfish will score more consistently. Other species such as Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, drum, trout, pompano, and flounder will be taken as well. The best conditions are an east wind and an incoming tide.

Island Wellness Awaits You

Mary White of Still Waters Alternative Healthcare Incorporated, brings alternative and complimentary medicine to Siesta Key and surrounding islands of Sarasota. Wellness, at least for Mary, offers a fusion of many disciplines. Her years of higher education and experience assists her when considering your individual medical needs. Services are available for the individual, couples or small groups. Locations of services may vary depending on the client’s needs. “Our wellness spa is located just steps from Siesta Key beach where Midnight Pass Road meets Beach Road. However, you may see us on Longboat Key or our newest location coming soon to St. Armand’s Circle,” noted White. Wellness services include Yoga Therapy for the islands. “The practice of this ancient healing art is centuries old,” says White. “With each pose or ‘asana’ you are powerfully affecting and altering your overall health, well-being, your life and those around you. Yoga Therapy is not only a practice, but very much a discipline offering numerous benefits; pain and stress relief, muscle and soft tissue rehabilitation as well as relief from symptoms of PTSD.” To the novice it may seem overwhelming. You say, “Where do I begin? I could never do this!” Getting started is the most difficult step. First

comes the desire and interest. Next is to contact Still Waters. Third, allow qualified staff to evaluate your medical condition, make recommendations and work with you on developing a personalized routine. No matter your age or medical condition, there is surely alternative therapies that may help you feel better and improve your life. Mary White has worked with many who have experienced real and lasting benefits from Yoga Therapy, Water Movement Therapy, Medical Massage Therapy and more alternatives; stroke recovery, hip and knee replacement rehabilitation, pain, stress and PTSD for St. John’s Fire Department of Charleston, SC, dementia, and now Mary has been approved by our Veteran’s Affairs to treat our active and retired military. Still Waters is growing its professional team members. They offer both luxury spa and wellness served in a boutique spa environment. For more information about Still Waters and Mary White, please visit their website at www.siestakeyretreats.com Call/text: 941-404-0881 or email them at siestakeyretreats5700@gmail.com (MM35956) Advertorial

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LANDINGS RESIDENT OWNED AND OPERATED

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Around The Landings

Wake & Shake

LET’S GO FISHING! Phillippi Estate Park is proud to announce that the fishing pier in northeast quadrant of the Park is newly re-constructed, now open and ready for the public to enjoy. One can catch sheepshead, mullet, redfish and snook. Please stop by and enjoy the view from the fishing pier up and down Phillippi Creek. The park’s English Rose Garden, which is maintained by the Bradenton-Sarasota Rose Society, has plenty of flowering Roses. The Gardenia bushes continue to blossom and

the African Iris are also lovely this summer. The park is grateful to the Rose Society and encourages others to join in and volunteer. The Rose Garden makes a lovely back drop for family photos. The shoreline trails along Phillippi Creek are shaded and a relaxing place to stroll, take photos of shorebirds and just enjoy the serenity of nature. The park is open to the public 7 days a week from 6:00 a.m. until midnight.

FORMER LANDINS 3

4. Student in Paris

6. Gulf state 15

9. Like a tight wad

10. Sun screen (abb.)

12. Is entitled to 14. Scotland ______

34 36 38 40

7. Frothy drink 8. Explosive charge

19 21

5. Wrap in Publix

15. Porcelain type 19. Billiard stick 20. Adjective suffix

21. Wealthy king

22.What patio doors do

23. Scotland town 24. Dominate

23. Modeling stuff

25. Familiar girl’s name

1. Sudden noise

25. Easy school course

26. Galas

4. “This,” in Barcelona

26. Fencing tool

28. Bernhardt

7. Second Greek letter

27. Summer drink

29. In ______ (before birth)

8. Disses

28. Evening in Seville

30. Ringo, e.g.

10. “Mr.” in Madrid

30. Chinese poetry

31. Aircraft (abbrev.)

11. Ventilate

33. EX-NEW YORKERS

32. Alone (pref.)

13. EX-ERIE DWELLER

36. Parisian get-together

34. “Here” in Berlin

16. “_____ Fry.” ‘30s pop tune

37. Euro disco style

35. Road for Caesar

17. Winter ______, FL

38. Approached

18. FDR’s program; gun lobby

39. Nothing minus nothing

19. “Dear one” in Italian arias

40. Greek letter after Pi

20. Fire (pref.)

41. Make a boo-boo

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21. Fungi (Brit.)

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Olde Fashion Barber Shop

Tapers • Flattops • Fades • Styling • Razor Cuts • Shaves

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Picked up from Airport:

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TPA/St. Pete

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Punta Gorda $ 70

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Miami

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Orlando

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Prices Include Tolls, Fuel & Parking For Airport Pickups your Chauffeur will have a sign with your name on it.

House Watch Sarasota

Licensed and Insured Affordable and Dependable Service Solutions For Your Home While You Are Away

R. BRuce Whittinghill, llc (941) 955-1864

Call or e-mail sarasotabruce1@housewatchsrq.com housewatchsrq.com for quotes and references Serving SaraSota and Surrounding areaS Since 1979

Transportation for everyone on the Sun Coast Friendliest Ride In Town

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Walk-Ins Welcome

Monday-Friday 9 AM-6 PM; Saturday 9 AM-4PM

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Digital Handyman Computer Support Specialist

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THE LANDINGS EAGLE August 2017

Licensed Real Estate Broker

7719 Holiday Drive, Sarasota, FL 34231

FREE COFFEE EVERY SATURDAY / 49¢ WATER

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Jon Pittman

Personal Trainer Specializing in 50+ Adult Therapy

356-6057 Cell

487-8573 Home Aqua Exercise Exercise Therapy Senior Fitness Strength Training Stretching and Flexibility

View From The Gate

JUNE TRAFFIC REPORT

Compiled by: Capt. Jordan M. Joseph, Landings Security & Safety There were a total of 47 incidents reported for the month of June 2017. They are as follows:

• 1 Assist Other Agency Report SCFD EMS on site after hours. Landings Patrol on scene to assist as needed. • 1 Disturbance Report Noise complaint. Patrol determined noise to be from A/C unit. • 1 Informational Report Non-emergency contractors on site after hours. Asked to leave by patrol. • 25 Open Door Reports 24 Garage doors. 1 Residence door. SSO investigated unoccupied residence, no cause found. Area secured. • 5 Parking Violations Reported 3 Parking on roadways overnight. 2 Restricted vehicles (trailers) parked overnight.

• 2 Property Damage Reports South Gate (inbound) gate arm fell, unknown cause. Stop sign down on Peregrine Point Drive. Unknown cause. • 1 Public Service Report Vehicle lights left on. Resident advised. • 7 Reckless Driving Reports 6 Vehicles of unsafe speeds in excess of 8mph over the posted limit. 1 unsafe acceleration from the Main Gate. • 2 Trespassing incidents Persons found in the LRC after hours. Subjects identified as resident and guests. Left with out incident. Vehicle observe tailgating into the community via the North Gate. Subject found by Patrol. SSO called to investigate. Subject identified as a guest of a resident.

Landings Residents’ Handbook & Directory By Dick Bayles

The new president of The Cloisters is Bob Kueppers, 1435 Cedar Bay Ln, 941 921 2307, RJkueppers@gmail.com. New owners or residents since the last issue of The Landings Eagle: • Guy Bernheim & Mary Clark, 1741 Landings Way • Hans & Darka Hawrysz, 1477 Landings Cir, 617-470-5855, 617-256-3423, darkah@mail.com • Carl Hurst & Brita Otteson, 1696 Pine Harrier Cir • Matthew & Lisa Neufield, 1474 Landings Cir, 941-221-2200, 941-685-8480 • Herbert & Brandy Solomon, 5161 Flicker Field Cir, 301-938-6347, 301 509 2828, drherbies@aol.com, brandysolomon@gmail.com

Entries changed since the last issue of The Landings Eagle: • Leslie Gray, 1419 Peregrine Point Dr, 941-921-1696 Additions, changes or corrections should be directed to me in writing. Directory forms are available from me via e‑mail, at www.landingseagle.com and www.insidethelandings.com, or from your association, and may be dropped off at the Landings Racquet Club or Main Gate to my attention, or sent via mail, e‑mail or toll-free fax. Dick Bayles: 1729 Landings Way, Sarasota, FL 34231, Email: landings.directory@gmail.com Fax: (855) 631-3860

Main Gate Entries at the Main Gate Total Gate Traffic North Gate Entries at the North Gate Exits at the North Gate Total Gate Traffic South Gate Entries at the South Gate Exits at the South Gate Total Gate Traffic

2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 9567 9531 9510 9563 9717 9567 9531 9510 9563 9717 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 5403 13872 13124 14005 14291 5036 13301 11954 12746 13330 10439 27173 25078 26751 27621 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 3408 3934 0 3868 2690 2911 3554 0 3259 2448 6319 7488 0 7127 5138

* The Main Gate has no means of recording exit numbers at this time. N/A = System Error. Information not available or missing.

Useful & Emergency Phone Numbers... Verizon - Phone Service..............................................1.800.483.1000 Comcast Cable........................................................................371.6700 Emergency Animal Clinic.....................................................929.1818 Poison Info Center.......................................................1.800.282.3171 Waste Management...............................................................924.1254 Landings Eagle................................................................941.539.0205 Landing’s Gate.......................................................................922.5531 Landings Racquet Club.........................................................923.3886 Landings Community Hauling Program........... 941-727-6464x110 LRC e-mail................................................... LRCtennis@verizon.net Argus Management...............................................................927.6464 Sheriff Non-Emergency.........................................................861.5800 FPL - Florida Power & light..................................................917.0708 FPL - Outage Report....................................................1.800.468.8243 Fishing & Hunting Licenses..........................................941.362.9888 Marriage License Bureau...............................................941.362.4066 Sarasota County Hotline.......................................................861.5000 Sarasota/Bradenton Intl. Airport.................................941.359.2770 Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) .......................941.316.1234 Sarasota County Information Call Center.......941.861.5000/scgov.net Sarasota Doctors Hospital..............................................941.342.1100 Sarasota Memorial Hospital/Health Care System ...... 941.917.7760 Emergency (General)......................................................................911 Life-threatening EMERGENCY: call 911 first, then call the gate. They will direct emergency vehicles

www.landingseagle.com

www.thelandingsofsarasota.com

The ATS Speed Sentry was deployed on Starling Dr (westbound) for the month of June 2017 with the following results:

Date 06/15/17 to 07/17/17

Location Starling Dr (Westbound)

Speed Limit Compliant 15 88.52%

Low Risk 10.20%

Med Risk High Risk 1.11% 0.16%

There was about 240.9 vehicles a day that passed the checkpoint. Previous deployments at this site show an increased compliance (especially in the high risk category). Though it should be noted that even low risk and medium risk categories are well above other locations in the community. The ATS Speed Sentry will be deployed on Landings Boulevard (northbound) near Landings Place for the month of July.

Date 06/15/17 to 07/17/17 02/01/15 to 02/28/15 09/01/13 to 09/30/13

Location Starling Dr (Westbound) Starling Dr (Westbound) Starling Dr (Westbound)

Speed Limit Compliant 15 88.52% 15 84.88% 15 86.24%

Low Risk 10.20% 9.78% 11.65%

Med Risk High Risk 1.11% 0.16% 1.11% 4.34% 1.76% 0.35%

941.349.0194 • www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

THE LANDINGS EAGLE August 2017

SEPTEMBER 2017

AUGUST 2017 SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

Day

Date

Time

Event

Tuesday

7pm

Trivia Challenge

Tuesday

8:30am

LMA

Thursday

7pm

LMABboard Mtg.

Tuesday

2pm

Eagle Editorial Mtg.

Thursday

7pm

LHA

Monday

9am

Koffee Klatsch

Tuesday

1:30pm

LRC Board

Tuesday

7pm

Trivia Challenge

Thursday

2pm

Landings South IV Board Mtg.

Thursday

4pm

Landings South VII

Tuesday

9am

Koffee Klatsch

Tuesday

2pm

South IV

Tuesday

5:30pm

Tree House HOA

Aqua Exercise Bridge Chair Yoga Ping Pong Tai Chi Water Aerobics Yoga Zumba Gold

Regularly Scheduled Items Tuesdays Mondays Fridays Mondays & Wednesdays Thursdays Thursdays Mondays & Wednesdays Tuesdays & Thursdays

Day Monday Tuesday Thursday Monday Tuesday Thursday Monday Tuesday Tuesday Thursday Thursday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday

Date 4 5 7 11 12 14 18 19 19 21 21 26 26 26

Time 4:30pm 7pm 7pm 9am 2pm 7pm 4pm 1:30pm 7pm 2pm 4pm 9am 2pm 5:30pm

Event Labor Day BBQ Trivia Challenge LMA Board Mtg. Koffee Klatsch Eagle Editorial Mtg. LHA Bayview Mtg. LRC Board Trivia Challenge Landings South IV Board Mtg. Landings South VII Koffee Klatsch Landings South IV Tree House HOA

B E N N Y

3 4 AM E 5S 6O 8 B T A S L A M 9S 10 S E O R 11A E R A T 12E 13 P E N S 14Y L V A N I A 15N 16 17 F R H A V E N 18N R A 19 20 C ARO I GNO 21 22 23 24 MOU L D C L AY S 25 26 P I P E F O I L 27 28 29 AD E S U E N O 30S 31H 32I 33 M A N 34H A T T A N 35I T E S 36 S O I R E E 37I T A L O 38 N E A R S 39Z E R O 40 41 RHO E R R 1

10am 6:30pm 10am 9:30am 10am 11am 8:15am 9am

CROSSWORD ANSWERS FROM PAGE 23 If you are a snowbird and would like to receive The Landings Eagle at your summer home, please call 941-349-0194 or email: www.islandvp@verizon.net The cost is $2.50 per month, per copy.

941.349.0194 â&#x20AC;¢ www.islandvp.com ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC

Judy Tara

Greene

Lamb

Your Landings

Resident Real Estate Team

Landings Real Estate Database Address

Price

½ BA

HOMES FOR SALE

PLEASE CALL YOUR LANDING’S REAL ESTATE TEAM JUDY AND TARA TO TO INQUIRE ABOUT OTHER HOMES FOR SALE IN THE LANDINGS!! HOMES PENDING

1413 CEDAR BAY LANE

995,000

1419 PEREGRINE PT DR

2,500,000

1432 CEDAR BAY LANE

1,800,000

1741 LANDINGS WAY

835,000

1733 PINE HARRIER CIR

825,000

1625 LANDINGS BLVD

800,000

1690 PINE HARRIER CIR

725,000

4684 PINE HARRIER DR

720,000

1696 PINE HARRIER CIR

660,000

HOMES SOLD

CURRENTLY ACTIVE

5430 EAGLES POINT CIRCLE #201 • $629,000

4638 PINE HARRIER DR

640,000

5161 FLICKER FIELD CIR

580,000

1744 PINE HARRIER CIR

549,000

4696 PINE HARRIER DR

545,000

455,000

CONDOS FOR SALE

1380 LANDINGS PT

1704 KESTRAL PARK DR • $375,000

5408 EAGLES POINT CIR • $399,000

4967 KESTRAL PKWY N

425,000

5408 EAGLES PT CIR #102

399,000

1704 KESTRAL PARK DR

375,000

1734 KESTRAL PKWY S

325,000

1610 STARLING DR

285,000

PLEASE CALL YOUR LANDING’S REAL ESTATE TEAM JUDY AND TARA TO INQUIRE ABOUT OTHER CONDOS LISTED FOR SALE IN THE LANDINGS! CONDOS SOLD

4967 KESTRAL PARK WAY N • $425,000 dy & Tara Ju ighborhoo ’s Ne

Judy Tara 350-0451 266-4873

OPEN HOUSE Michael Saunders & Company

1380 LANDINGS PT • $455,000

Watch for theEstate “Judy and Tara’s Neighborhood” Open House Real is our Profession, signs on Sundays where “Just Looking” is always welcome.

Service is our Passion

Your Landings Your Landings Resident Resident Real Real Estate Estate Team Team are are proud proud advocates advocates and supporters of Landings events including Sponsorship the and supporters of Landings events including Sponsorship of theofUSTA USTA Father/Son Tennis Tournament. Father/Son AnnualAnnual Tennis Tournament.

Judy Greene • 941.350.0451 • JudyGreene@michaelsaunders.com Tara Lamb • 941.266.4873 • TaraLamb@michaelsaunders.com

Michael Saunders & Company Licensed Real Estate Broker

THE LANDINGS EAGLE August 2017

1474 LANDINGS CIR

595,000

1423 LANDINGS PL

537,000

1709 STARLING DR

525,000

5450 EAGLES PT CIR #105

496,000

1472 LANDINGS CIR

485,000

1695 STARLING DR.

453,000

1419 LANDINGS PL

440,000

1497 LANDINGS LAKE DR

418,000

5450 EAGLES PT CIR #305

415,000

5400 EAGLES PT CIR #206

375,000

1633 STARLING DR

357,000

1746 LANDINGS BLVD

310,000

1622 STARLING DR

300,000

1734 STARLING DR.

295,000

1700 STARLING DR.

285,000

5243 HERON WAY

250,000

1620 STARLING DR

247,000

1722 STARLING DR

240,000

Based on information from Realtor.com, Sarasota Property Appraiser, and Sarasota Association of Realtors for the period ending July 21, 2017. These properties listed and sold in the past 4 months by various MLS participating offices.

5100 Ocean Boulevard • Sarasota, FL 34242