Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/180498
NO PASSAGE Discussion about a sidewalk on U.S. 41 spurred some disagreement among members of the County Commission. Photo by Roger Drouin A SIDEWALK WAIVER REQUEST RELATED TO THE REDEVELOPMENT OF PELICAN PLAZA SPURS DISAGREEMENT ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION By Roger Drouin County Editor On the same day a developer appeared before them to ask for two sidewalk waivers, the Sarasota County commissioners discussed the fact that county residents named sidewalks among their top transportation issues during the 2013 Citizens Survey. can Plaza at the corner of U.S. 41 and Vamo Road. In June, the commissioners approved a redevelopment plan for the plaza, which sits mostly abandoned. The project, however, has yet to receive final approval. While the commissioners conditionally ap- Todd Mathes, director of development at proved the waivers, their motion directed Benderson, told the commissioners during staff to try to reach an agreement with the their Sept. 24 meeting that company representatives felt the waivers firm doing the work were necessary for — Benderson DevelThis is almost like saying there several reasons. opment Co. LLC — to give it additional time will be a perpetual gap. Along Vamo Road, to build one sidewalk landscape buffering Nora Patterson Commissioner after it completes rehas been built into Sarasota County construction of Pelithe project's south-