Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/215277
Sarasota News Leader November 22, 2013 Page 39 new plan offers a cohesive vision for the area A NEW CHAPTER — thus creating the economic opportunity The Tuesday vote to approve the boundary Ruben envisions. was unanimous. She added that the vote Tuesday was a big step forward. "We're waiting for the next "We've been working on this for five and a step," Crofut told the News Leader after the half years," said Commissioner Joe Barbetta, who noted that the 300 acres comprise a rare board made its decision. block of undeveloped land in a visible area, TWO COORDINATED EFFORTS clearing the way for a large opportunity. As directed by the County Commission, "Hopefully we will have quality development county planners are trying to expedite the final and an economic generator," Barbetta said. phases of the Fruitville Initiative, said Interim Chairwoman Carolyn Mason thanked the County Administrator Thomas Harmer. property owners for their persistence and for The project area should be coming into shape, waiting on the county to move ahead with as the county moves forward with another plans. project. Next week, the County Commission is slated to select one of two proposals from "This is how you get something accomplished developers wanting to build on the coun- — continually working together," Mason said. ty-owned 42 acres at Fruitville Road and Commissioner Christine Robinson embraced Colburn Road. Barbetta's optimism. At a Nov. 26 workshop, the County Commission will hear more details of the proposals from "I think this is the moment here where we start Benderson Development Co. and Goodsports a new chapter for this Initiative," Robinson said. "It has been rough going up to this point. Enterprises Global LLC. This is finally the moment I feel where we are If the commissioners choose to move ahead pushing through." with one of the projects, county planners will work with the developer to ensure the plans "I can't wait to see what exciting things come are coordinated with the Fruitville Initiative out of this," Robinson added. process. The commissioner said she was hopeful "We will then work with a consultant to mir- Fruitville's Special Planning Area becomes ror that [42 acres] into the Fruitville Initiative as successful as another one in the county, in process," Harmer told the commissioners. Nokomis. "I can't help but think of Nokomis County planners are working to ensure they when they designated their special planning "connect the time frames of these two proj- area," Robinson said just before voting to approve the planning area boundaries. % ects," Rozansky said.