Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/215277
Sarasota News Leader November 22, 2013 Page 74 NEW BOATING SPEED ZONE APPROVED FOR MOORING FIELD At the request of the Sarasota City Commission, the Sarasota County Commission on Tuesday, Nov. 19, unanimously approved the creation of a new slow speed zone for boats within the city's Bayfront Mooring Field. The memo pointed out, "Unlike manatee protection speed zones that are set by state rule, boating safety speed zones are adopted at the local level and then considered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission [FWC]." According to the revised ordinance the commissioners voted on, "A minimum of four 'Slow Speed Minimum Wake' signs and/or buoys [will] be posted around the perimeter of the Bayfront Mooring Field to control traffic within the mooring field." Laird Wreford, the county's coastal resources manager, told the County Commission that if it approved the amended ordinance, the document would be submitted to the FWC, which would review it for compliance with state criteria for speed zones. If the FWC finds it does, he continued, the zones can be posted and the At staff's recommendation, the County speeds enforced by marine patrol agencies. Commission did not act on a city request for a second slow speed zone, in the channel along- If the county receives state approval for the side Golden Gate Point approaching Marina zones, the staff memo added, funding for the Jack. A staff memo explained that that zone initial installation of the signs and their maindid not appear to meet state criteria, "as there tenance would be covered by funds from the West Coast Inland Navigation District. is no substantial competent evidence that a Rachel Brown Hackney public safety issue exists." The City of Sarasota's mooring field is south of O'Leary's Tiki Bar and Grill in Bayfront Park off U.S. 41 in downtown Sarasota. Photo by Norman Schimmel