Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/301152
Siesta Seen The memo summarizes the effort under way to revise the Siesta Key Overlay District (SKOD), the compendium of county rules that gov- erns the entire island. The Siesta Key Village Association (SKVA) unanimously endorsed the proposed outdoor display changes during its April 1 session. The modifications provide a set of specific rules, but no business could put wares outside without first applying for and receiving a permit from the county. The April 17 memo notes that architect Mark Smith, acting on behalf of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, contacted Assistant Zoning Administrator Donna Thompson in January this year regarding the potential text amendment to the SKOD; he "provided sug- gested language developed by the Chamber and the Siesta Key [Village] Association." Thompson then met with Deputy County Attorney Alan Roddy to review the language and get Roddy's feedback. In March, Smith provided Thompson with "a final draft of the language" the SKVA would be voting on in April, it notes. On March 31, Mark Toomey of Robin Hood Rentals contacted Thompson "regard- ing the process for a Citizen Initiated Text Amendment," the memo adds. Zoning staff emailed Toomey the application and advised him that the proposed amendment would necessitate one public hearing before the Planning Commission and two hearings before the County Commission. "At this time, staff has not received a formal submittal by any entity representing Siesta Key," the memo points out. When I reached him on April 22, Toomey was very busy, but he said he felt that after this week, with season slowing down, he would have time to check on the status of the revision. In the meantime, when I asked whether he planned to seek Siesta Key Association (SKA) approval of the version the SKVA approved this month, he replied that he does not feel that is necessary. SKA board members have been aware of the process, he pointed out. Moreover, he said of outdoor displays on the key, "It's not something [SKA members] police." SKA President Michael Shay told me he has provided his board members with the lat- est copy of the revised SKOD, but they have taken no formal action on it. Shay also said that Mark Smith has not been able to sched- ule a walk-through of the Village, as Shay requested at the April 1 SKVA meeting, so Smith could point out to him businesses that are and are not complying with the provisions of the proposed ordinance. "I want to know," Shay added, "based on what's on paper, what it's going to look like." Toomey did promise to let me know once the clock starts ticking on the formal adop- tion process. Sarasota News Leader April 25, 2014 Page 100