Why the world comes to Sarasota
20% OFF
w/this coupon!
SiestaKeyFitness.com
©
Siesta Key Business Person of The Year
Alpine Steakhouse & Butcher Shop has been a local family-owned business for over 40 years. Page 28
Read More on page 19
APRIL 2015 | 941.349.0194 | ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC | www.SiestaSand.net | COMPLIMENTARY
DAISY DUKES BAND
Rachel Matthes and Kari Rae of the Daisy Dukes Band both have ties to Siesta Key.
page
22
CG DESIGNS
From bridges to beaches, Key improvements By Roger Drouin
As our Sarasota county commissioners hone in on the county’s fiscal year 2016 budget, funding for several Siesta Key projects is beginning to take shape. At three separate meetings over the past two months, county commissioners discussed funding for infrastructure improvements on the Key—from a new Siesta wastewater lift station to repairs at eight smaller, hump bridges across the island. On Feb. 18, commissioners voted to approve a contract with Uretek Holdings for $759,090 to repair the eight bridges on the Key. On March 17, the board approved $829,075 in funding for the engineering phase of the new Siesta Key lift station and a section of wastewater pipe. Then, at a workshop March
20, the County Commission reviewed infrastructure funding in the countywide five-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP), which includes funding for several Siesta projects in 2016. The CIP program includes the ongoing Siesta Public Beach improvements and a South Siesta Beach Renourishment project. Funding for both are slated for final approval in August when county commissioners approve the fiscal year 2016 budget. The mix of projects is good news for the Key, says Michael Shay, president of the Siesta Key Association. “Any infrastructure improvements to be done out here, especially when it comes to the shoreline and the beaches, is always good news,” Shay told Siesta Sand.
Siesta Key Round-Up
Big Pass Dredging Update
By Bob Stein, Debbie Flessner, & Roger Drouin
On March 17, the City of Sarasota and the Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) submitted a Joint Permit Application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to start the long permit process for dredging the Big Pass Shoal. Permits need to be approved by both the Federal Government and State of Florida. For our first time visitors of Siesta Key here is the Project Description: The proposed project is to nourish 1.6 miles of shoreline on Lido Key, basically adding 30 acres. Lido Key sits just north of Siesta Key and the Big Pass Shoal is the sand bar that can be seen as you look north between the two islands. Approximately 950,000 cubic yards of sand will be harvested for the nourishment event. Two groins are also proposed between R-42 and R-44, towards the south end of the fill template. A third groin is proposed for implementation in the event future monitoring data shows further stabilization would be necessary in the Ted Sperling Park at the southern end of Lido Key. The FDEP process is the State review. Once the FDEP has reviewed the submittal and had their questions answered, they will publish a notice allowing for public comment. It is expected to take the State several months to review the
Legal limbo
Cheryl Gaddie is the founder of CG Interior Design, on Siesta Key, and designer for some of the most opulent homes and successful businesses in the area.
page
32
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
But even the repairs to the smaller, hump bridges on the island are needed, Shay said. Most mornings, Shay walks his dogs across one of those bridges, on Givens Street. “I have seen cracks in the pavement that run from one side of the bridge to the other,” Shay said. “In the back of your mind you wonder, ‘Gee, I hope this is OK.’ And to see it included in the list (of improvements), it’s good to see they are checking things closely and putting money where it’s needed.” Shay notes that improvements will benefit both permanent residents and the many beach goers who come to Siesta. “We need to keep up with our infrastructure here,” Shay said. Here is a breakdown of some of the projects discussed:
One of the most controversial land disputes on Siesta looks like it could be heading to the County Commission soon. The open question is just how soon. At the heart of the issue is whether to allow a property owner the right to construct a home at 162 Beach Road, a property located water-ward of the Coastal Setback Line (see February issue of Siesta Sand – http://siestasand.net/featureone-2-15). The Beach Road property is at the center of a special-magistrate-mediated effort between the county and the current property owners, Ronald and Sania Allen, who have appealed the last rejection of their request for a Coastal Setback Variance. Residents in the Village say the outcome of the mediation could impact their properties—and could have a wider effect across Siesta. Continued on page 4
South Siesta Renourishment
The $19.9 million dollar beach renourishment on South Siesta — which includes Turtle Beach Park — is included in the county’s five-year Capital Improvements Program. According to Sarasota County, funding for the $19.9 million dollar project will come from Tourist Development Tax dollars, state beach funds or commercial financing, along with MSBU (property assessed annual fees paid by property owners near the renourishment). However, the start date for the project has been delayed, due to what county officials at the March 20 workshop called a “curve ball.” Continued on page 24
submittal. The NEPA process is a Federal review. This draft will be released soon and there will be time for public comment. There will be a meeting at the City of Sarasota with the ACOE presenting their new draft. (At the time of press no date and time were scheduled). This date may be in mid-April, so be sure to monitor the City of Sarasota for press releases of the exact time and date if you wish to attend this meeting. Publisher’s Note - Some questions to consider before a final decision is rendered: Did the ACOE use a 2004 EA draft (Environmental Analysis)? Has the County hired a Coastal Engineering firm for review to determine the impact dredging will have on the shoal? Will the County allow the ACOE to add the 3rd groin on Ted Sperling Park on Lido Key? Will the County allow the ACOE to use the Ted Sperling Park for staging purposes if the permits are OK’d? The Big Pass Shoal has never been dredged and is the natural way the Siesta Key beach receives its sand. The biggest draw to Sarasota is Siesta Key’s #1 USA Beach status. Siesta Key has continuously received its accolades because of the sand on the beach. It’s “why the world comes to Sarasota.”
Meet Martha Smith, artist and owner of The Gallery On Siesta Key.
page
26
• ISLAND FISHMONGER • FISHING REPORT • TIDES CHART
page
21
LOCAL MAPS & INFORMATION
See Page 17