Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/341318
"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out when you have that number of parking spaces, you will have that much more traffic," Hunter said. Hunter points to another Benderson project that is at the center of an expensive fix to ease traffic problems. "We see what happened at University Town Center," Hunter noted, referring to the big mall the firm is building off University Parkway. "Traffic considerations seem to be an afterthought." Hunter said she looks forward to being able to talk with Mathes about her concerns. "Todd has been honest about being willing work with us," she added. "All of us just have to see what eventually will come of it." 'NOT OFF THE TABLE' In 2006 and 2007, Benderson pitched a mixed- use project for the 24 acres, Mathes said. That proposal has been scaled down with the residential component removed. Even though that project had five-story build- ings, residents say the earlier version had more trees and less parking lot asphalt, and potentially fewer traffic impacts because of the homes it included. "There was more green space," said Lourdes Ramirez, president of the Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations and a county commission candidate who has been working with residents concerned about the project. Kochman believes adding some residential space back into the plan — townhomes, in particular — and situating that between the existing residential community and the shop- ping center would be a "good transition." Hunter agrees that townhomes would be an improvement. "I don't know of any place that has single-fam- ily [homes] abutting a new project without any transition," Hunter said. Mathes told the News Leader that some residential use is "not off the table" as the developer finalizes its plans. "But it will add traffic and we're not sure that the type of residential that would be viable at the site would be embraced by our immediate neighbors," Mathes wrote. "It's a conversation and opportunity we'd like to keep exploring." % I am so incredibly pleased, with my beautiful smile and my comfortable and natural bite. - Barbara Lee For a complimentary consultation call 941.923.5406 | Christine Koval, D.M.D. | www.askdrkoval.com Sarasota News Leader July 4, 2014 Page 18