Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/289950
The tension in the room subtly rose as Joel Freedman, the planning consultant repre- senting entrepreneur Jesse Biter's 10-story residential complex, came to the table. Biter was planning to build 168 units on a site, but he purchased an adjacent quarter-acre to supplement the property he already owned. The two parcels are at 1401 and 1445 Second St. He was asking the DRC to allow him to include the new parcel in his original plans, enabling him to erect one building instead of having to construct a second structure on the adjacent property. The original plans also called for a rooftop restaurant, which was a source of angst for residents of other downtown high-rise struc- tures. Noise has become a major issue for them, and the sigh of relief was almost audi- ble when Freedman opened his presentation by saying, "The new plan will have no roof- top restaurant." Downtown planning allows developers to utilize the administrative review process, meaning there is no opportunity for public input at the Planning Board or City Commission for a project that gets the go-ahead. Staff alone has the power to approve or reject new development, based on existing city codes, overlays, regulations, design standards and other requirements. And no neighborhood workshop is required. The additional property Biter purchased would allow him to incorporate 12 more res- idential units in plans for a single building, along with about 7,000 more square feet of commercial space. "Nothing here allows greater density or new uses," said Biter's attorney, Brenda Patten, of the proposal. "It is a better design to make one cohesive beau- tiful building." An artist's rendering shows the design of the Q condos planned for Ringling Boulevard in downtown Sarasota. Image from Dwell Real Estate Sarasota News Leader April 4, 2014 Page 25