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NTOD ON SCHEDULE An artist���s rendering shows the type of development envisioned for the North Tamiami Trail if the new overlay district is approved. Image courtesy City of Sarasota ADMINISTRATIVE SITE PLAN APPROVAL REMAINS THE STICKING POINT IN THIS LATEST INITIATIVE FOR NORTH TRAIL REDEVELOPMENT By Stan Zimmerman City Editor The Sarasota City Planning Board on Wednesday evening, Feb. 27, narrowly approved the North Trail Overlay District, a planning tool aimed at revitalizing the northern gateway to town. The next step is City Commission deliberation and a vote to make it happen. Laurel Park residents recently won their own overlay district as a response to administrative approval in the downtown zoning districts that surround their neighborhood. This mechanism is the newest face in the age-old battle between neighbors and developers. The Planning Board���s 3-2 approval reflects a The city plan says citizens should polarization in the city have the maximum opportunity for about the overlay dismeaningful involvement in decisions that trict���s primary feature affect their neighborhood. ��� administrative site plan approval. ReguJennifer Ahearn-Koch Chairwoman lar readers know the Sarasota Planning Board term well. Administrative approval gives city staff the authority to sign off on development activity ��� if the project meets each and every single rule ��� without Planning Board or City Commission action: