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pointed out, and she was glad to hear the lead- ers of both agencies say they would do so. The next step in the push for a come-as-you- are shelter in the range of 30,000 square feet will be the release of data from environmental assessments, which are under way at the two other potential sites, along with due diligence at all three potential locations. On April 22, the city and county commissioners will meet again to talk over the project. While there were tense moments at the dais and several inquires regarding projections of crime and other impacts that could accom- pany a shelter, the outcome was the closest the elected officials have been this year to moving ahead with the facility. The two other sites are located at 1330 N. Osprey Ave. (city-owned property) and 1800 N. East Ave. FOR AND AGAINST The commissioners first heard from more than 25 residents, many of whom voiced con- cerns about a shelter in north Sarasota close to Sarasota Military Academy, the Pines of Sarasota retirement home and planned rede- velopment that has been slow to materialize. "They shouldn't be congregating in an area with children in school," said Elaine Muhammad, a mother of three, regarding the possibility of homeless people gathering out- side a shelter. (From left) Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino; consultant Robert Marbut; Wayne Applebee, coordinator of homelessness issues for the county; Bill Spitler, director of planning and research at the Sheriff's Office; and Sheriff Tom Knight sat as a panel to answer questions during the meeting. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader April 4, 2014 Page 11