Parallel parking surprises neighbors

Siesta Promenade representatives receive workshop opposition regarding traffic-calming measure as new plans emerge

By John Morton

By adding two holdout parcels to its 28-acre construction site, Benderson Development has resubmitted plans again for its mixed-use Siesta Promenade project at the northwest corner of U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road.

The parcels come in the form of two houses along Glencoe Avenue, accounting for .78 acres.

“Nothing has changed in density – just more square footage, more land, and a little more breathing room,” said Phil DiMaria, a project manager with Kimley-Horn engineering, during a May 1 county-mandated neighborhood workshop conducted online. It was the third of its kind since Sarasota County approved the project in 2018. With the revision, plans must once again go before the county’s Planning Commission (tentatively set for the evening of June 15) and then the Board of County Commissioners for approval.

DiMaria said it’s the final concept plan.

But alas, attendees of the workshop noticed a change that

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March 14: theft/battery

The complainant indicated that he had gone to a Truist Bank ATM and noticed a white sedan occupied by two subjects. As the complainant left the bank on his skateboard, the two occupants of the sedan got out of the vehicle and threw a Twisted Tea can at him, punched him and tried to take his backpack.

Sheriff’s Report

He attempted to run away but one of the subjects made a motion that made the complainant believe he may have had a weapon.

The complainant dropped the backpack and fled. The value of the backpack and contents was valued at $828.

The Twisted Tea can was found at 4105 Higel Ave. and processed into evidence.

March 24: theft

The manager of a convenience store reported a theft whereby the assistant manager witnessed the two defendants grab multiple alcoholic beverages from the store and leave without paying. The assistant manager observed the alcoholic beverages protruding from the subjects’ pockets.

Deputies located two individuals matching the description provided by the assistant manager. The subjects were found carrying alcoholic beverages at 5151 Ocean Blvd. The subjects were placed under arrest and, in the process, one of the individuals proceeded to kick the window of the patrol car approximately 20 times.

March 27: theft

Complainant indicated that while she and her family were on vacation on Siesta Key, her juvenile son was at the beach and left his backpack at the beach while he went up to the condo. Upon return the backpack was missing.

His AirPod Pro headphones were in the backpack and, based upon the tracking capabilities for the device’s location, an attempt was made to locate the backpack. However, it was unsuccessful.

March 29: rental car theft

The complainant rented a car at the Sarasota airport on March 29 and last saw the vehicle at 1 a.m. March 30 parked in front of his rented condo. When he woke up, he noticed the car was gone. The rental company was alerted and confirmed the victim had paid in full for the rental car. Video surveillance was obtained.

April 3: theft

The complainant, who is the manager of a gas station store, indicated a white male came into the store and took a Mountain Dew ($2.79) and a bag of Munchies snack mix ($2.49).

The subject left the store and drove off in a golf cart, heading northbound on Ocean Boulevard.

Video footage of the incident showed the suspect was in the store with two other white males and started drinking the Mountain Dew in the store.