Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/175080
Sarasota News Leader September 20, 2013 Page 33 "There is an interest in reopening discussion on the lot," said Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown. HAMPTON ROAD The Tahiti Park Neighborhood Association scored a big win when the City Commission agreed to open a discussion on a 2008 change in the comprehensive plan that has paved the way for use of a parcel on Hampton Road without the neighbors knowing such plans were afoot. The change allowed a physician to propose a medical spa on the property, to the neighbors' chagrin. On Monday, the project was set for its fourth and final public hearing. Then the developer A map shows the site of the planned State asked that the item be removed from the agenStreet parking garage in downtown Sarasota. da while he prepared a full site plan for City Image courtesy City of Sarasota Commission scrutiny before the board took a meeting, a Sarasota Police officer said of 87 final vote on his plan. crime events in Newtown, 86 were in Atkins Commissioner Susan Chapman said, "I have Park. We need to look at the design of the serious issues about the notice to the public park." on this comprehensive plan amendment. Many maps did not include this change. I would like The park is named after Fredd "Glossie" Atkins, a long-serving city commissioner who to set an agenda item for discussion." represented north Sarasota and the AfriFournier replied, "This has to be done before can-American community. The facility is locatthe applicant submits his site plan." ed at the southwest corner of the intersection of U.S. 301 and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King FREDD ATKINS PARK Jr. Way. Three North Sarasota community leaders Shea Barnett added, "Over the past few years, stepped forward under the open-to-the pubthere has been a steady erosion of some of lic section of the meeting to ask for city help the positive aspects of the park. We see a lot with Fredd Atkins Park. of loitering, crime and drug activity. It reflects Businessman Jetson Grimes said, "We are not negatively on the community and is a point of trying to close the park. But at a community discouragement." %