Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/215277
Sarasota News Leader November 22, 2013 Page 62 property, the fences block off several strips of land, ranging in depth from 3 to 16 feet. According to county staff, about 1,500 to 1,600 feet of fencing has to be removed. The Dolomite parcel is located at the northwest corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Tuttle Avenue. Commission Vice Chairman Charles Hines voiced concern after hearing about the encroachments. The fences do not significantly devalue the property, Hines said. However, they could be the crux of a comVice Chairman Charles Hines listens to a plicated situation if county staff had to figure speaker during a regular meeting. Photo by out how to get the four owners to take down Norman Schimmel the fences if those owners were not agreeable to arrange a meeting with the property ownto the prospect of such action. ers adjacent to the 115 acres, in an attempt to "I don't want to buy a lawsuit here," Hines get them to remove the fences. "I think that added. would work," Mason said. Commissioner Joe Barbetta agreed, ques- John Jenkins, special counsel for the county, tioning how the hiccup had shown up this far told the board the fences are a minor issue he along in work on an agreement that has to be believes staff can handle. approved by next week. "My suggestion to you is to try to keep this Although Barbetta has expressed reserva- in perspective," Jenkins said. "We have these tions about the purchase of the Dolomite encroachments, a couple of fences that run utility system, he has voiced support of the along four lots." parcel purchase. Jenkins recommended the county move ahead "I want to buy this property real bad, but we with the acquisition and direct its attorneys have to clear up this defect," Barbetta pointed to work with Dolomite on an agreement for out. removing the fences — at Dolomite's cost. He was worried about the type of deed trans- "These are details we work with buyers and action that would hold the county responsible sellers on all the time," Jenkins pointed out. for clearing up the encroachments, he added. "That's what we do on your behalf. We will Commissioner Nora Patterson said trying to get this worked out." get the owners to take down the fences could Barbetta made the motion that the County trigger "a political problem." Commission proceed with the acquisition of Chairwoman Carolyn Mason suggested the 115 acres, contingent on Dolomite removcounty staff try working with the Newtown ing the fences, or setting aside funds for the Estates Neighborhood Association president county to do so. %