Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/211425
Sarasota News Leader November 15, 2013 Page 69 LAUREL PARK ASSOCIATION WINS PLANNING ADVOCATE AWARD The Laurel Park Neighborhood Association has received a Planning Advocate Award for its work on the Laurel Park Overlay, the organization has announced. "Although this is not the full Planning Board process which the neighborhood initially requested, the [Laurel Park Neighborhood Association board] is hopeful it will contribute to compatible development around Laurel The annual award, given by the Florida Sun Park," the release continues. Coast Section of the American Planners' Association, is presented to a community The overlay zoning, as implemented, was a city-proposed compromise, the release notes. group in recognition of "significant commitIt retains administrative approval (city staff ment and support of community planning," a OKs development projects), the release adds, news release says. but it includes the two community workshops The Laurel Park Overlay, approved Aug. 19 by the Sarasota City Commission, enables Laurel Park residents to have a voice in large development projects built across the street from their neighborhood, the release notes. The overlay's approval marked the culmination of three years of work on the part of the neighborhood association, the release points out. — the first early on, when a project is in the conceptual stage; the second, after plans have been submitted to the city. It also ensures residents can appeal a decision to the Planning Board and City Commission, if necessary. "Such an appeal would be expensive and difficult, but it provides an important protection to the neighborhood," the release says. The overlay affects properties next to the neighborhood and has an impact only on In the future, large developments on the edge large projects — those encompassing more of the neighborhood will go through a pro- than 5,000 square feet or with more than eight cess requiring two community workshops. residential units. The Laurel Park Neighborhood Association has won an award for its work on an overlay zoning district. Photo by Norman Schimmel