Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/301152
value of the land and the fact "that it was a buildable lot …" Even after the County Commission denied the variance petition last year, Merrill noted, "They didn't feel that [the value] should be lowered; in fact, it got increased." TRYING TO MAKE HIS CASE Merrill showed graphics to the board as he noted that the 162 Beach Road parcel and an adjacent lot (168 Beach Road) are the only pieces of property without houses on them between Beach Access 3 and Siesta Public Beach, except for a county-owned lot and two other parcels — one owned by the Tivoli Siesta Key condominium complex; the other, by Terrace East, to ensure residents have unobstructed views of the beach. (Neither complex is on the water.) In response to another question from Hines, Merrill said he provided the tax information and photos of the neighboring houses to underscore what Ronald Allen's "reasonable expectation was" in regard to the parcel. "You think that you're going to be able to build a house there, and that's what he [thought], A cross section shows plans for the house proposed to be built at 162 Beach Road. Image courtesy Sarasota County Sarasota News Leader April 25, 2014 Page 53