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AN ISSUE OF FAIRNESS New County Commission chairwoman gets lots of questions in seeking consensus on county action regarding a domestic partnership registry — Rachel Brown Hackney The Sarasota County Commission agreed this week to hold off on any move to establish a domestic partnership registry while awaiting action on a Florida Legislature bill regarding a statewide registry. The purported bill, however, may not be introduced before 2014, according to former Sarasota City Commissioner Ken Shelin. Having won approval of a domestic partnership registry in the City of Sarasota, Shelin has been working with County Commissioner Carolyn Mason since last fall on a similar measure for the county, as well as with the Venice City Council and North Port City Commission on ordinances in those municipalities. (Full story here) NEW PLANNING PARADIGM PROPOSED Analysis: City Commission will weigh appeal of Walmart decision for Ringling Shopping Center site — Stan Zimmerman Two issues fraught with acute neighborhood concern were resolved Monday, Jan. 7, by the Sarasota City Commission. After testimony and discussion, both were approved — a compromise will give Laurel Park two "workshops" on any nearby development before city approval, and Alta Vista will be able to challenge a new Walmart. The two actions — one in the afternoon and the other in the evening session — foreshadow what might be a new planning scheme in the city. More than the concerns of Alta Vista and Laurel Park are at stake. "This could be the beginning of something big," said Mayor Suzanne Atwell at the conclusion of the afternoon session. (Full story here) For Advertising Info Sales@SarasotaNewsLeader.com (941) 227-1080 Click Any Headline To Go Directly To That Article AT A GLANCE TOP STORIES