Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/273295
Then the comprehensive plan change must be reviewed in Tallahassee by a variety of state departments, which now have only 30 days to complete what was designed as thorough oversight of such modifications. This shorter timeline followed Gov. Rick Scott's abolition of the Department of Community Affairs. A timetable shows the triple-density overlay could come back from Tallahassee in October for final city approval. If there is no appeal of the change, it could become effective before the end of the year. This will be the second time the city has used the new Tallahassee approval process. The first involved a change to the Future Land Use Map around Ed Smith Stadium last year. CULTURAL DISTRICT PUT ON HOLD The Sarasota City Commission on March 3 ordered staff to "take no action" for the next four months on planning to create a cultural district in the 42 acres surrounding the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center. A 2007 plan for development there was shelved when the economy floundered. With the recent economic upturn, the plan was taken off the shelf by Visit Sarasota County and shown to various cultural and business groups, which endorsed its revital- ization. On Saturday, March 1, the Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations heard a presentation on that revival and also voted in support of it. The developers of the Rosemary Square project might try to take advantage of a triple-density option for that area if state and city officials give it final approval. Image courtesy City of Sarasota Sarasota News Leader March 7, 2014 Page 58