Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/170820
Sarasota News Leader September 13, 2013 Page 54 bor is more than a homeless shelter. It is a regional behavior modification facility serving the most difficult population of homeless individuals in which individual case management safety, security and structure are paramount. This facility has assisted many chronic homeless people in receiving the services they need and in substantially eliminating feeding in parks and public spaces and other enabling behaviors." There are separate sections for women, veterans and chronic misfits. The unit is a jail diversion facility with a capacity for 470 residents. When Chapman visited, it held "about 387," she wrote. It is significantly cheaper than incarceration, with a cost of about $13 per day, compared to City Commissioner Susan Chapman. Photo $106 per day for a stay in the Pinellas County by Norman Schimmel jail. The annual operating budget for Pinellas Safe Harbor is $1.6 million, with five cit- are furious about a land-use change that hapies contributing $50,000 each and the county pened under what some of them call "mysteproviding $200,000 per year. rious circumstances." A SHORT EVENING, MAYBE While the commission's afternoon session looks busy, the evening meeting, starting at 6 p.m., looks light. A couple of certificate presentations, recognition of the Sarasota Orchestra's new maestro plus a resolution recognizing the life and work of former Sarasota Fire Department Chief Harold Stinchcomb will open the meeting. What could have been a tumultuous public hearing on the Hampton Road project to put a medical spa in the Tahiti Park neighborhood will not happen. Instead, the owners are offering to "reboot" their initiative. In a letter to the commissioners dated Sept. 11, property owner Dr. Steve Bedi said he would voluntarily offer a site plan. "We are aware this decision will essentially require that we 'reboot' the process by once again undergoing review by the Development Review Committee and by participating in another public hearing before the planning board. We are eager to do this if it achieves our ultimate goal of securing the rezoning," he wrote. The commissioners could rebuff Bedi's offer and proceed to make a decision on his request without a site plan. Hours of public hearings have been held, so there is no lack of evidence and testimony on the issue. All that remains Staff has approved the project, but the Plan- in the process to date is rebuttal, commission ning Board has turned it down. Neighbors discussion and a motion. %