Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/122777
Sarasota News Leader April 19, 2013 Page 11 The county has largely been open to commercial development, while North Port has been skeptical of the plan. Cook asked why she should support any ITN, even a narrowly defined one, if she doesn't want anything built on the property. "There will be building on the property if I have anything to do with it," countered County Commissioner Joe Barbetta. His fellow county board members were less adamant that something be built, but they said they wanted to review any and all proposals to imagine possibilities. A sign welcomes visitors to Warm Mineral Springs. Photo by Ebaybe via Wikimedia Commons A majority on the North Port commission, after a long extended, protracted debate, eventually embraced an ITN-like process, but with an expansive list of stipulations. County Administrator Randy Reid tells the News Leader his staff will continue working on the details of a short-term lease to keep the springs open after the current contract with the management company runs out June All that work was undone when DiFranco 30. But he's not even sure a short-term lease sent her email at 5:33 a.m. the next morning. would find support with the North Port comShe did not respond to a News Leader call mission. and email, nor did she inform county commissioners why she changed her mind. "You have "I don't know how we can proceed," Reid says. what I have," Robinson tells the News Leader. The county, at Barbetta's request, will tackle "I have nothing else." next steps at its meeting on Tuesday, April 23, Barbetta tells the News Leader DiFranco's reversal "pretty much" eliminates any chance of a deal. Shortly after Wednesday's meeting began, Barbetta asked the North Port reps if there was any will to accept new construction on the property. If not, he said, there was no point in continuing the discussion. in Sarasota. Near the end of Wednesday's meeting, County Commissioner Carolyn Mason thanked the North Port officials for their patience and open-mindedness. "This has been painful for some of us," she said, "but it was really necessary to have this conversation so we could get to where we are now, and we can move Barbetta sees few options besides litigation forward. So I want to thank you all for this at this point. "It doesn't seem like there's any root canal exercise." alternative," he says, "because meeting with "Painful," yes. And maybe futile. % them doesn't accomplish anything."