Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/344348
Short- and long-term use of city bayfront property, the renaming of a park, a new tool to force banks to manage their foreclosed property and a lengthy discussion of home- lessness and vagrancy were the key points of the July 7 Sarasota City Commission meeting. The board members decided with a 3-2 vote to require any use of bayfront city land to get the city manager's approval as well as their affirmative vote. Mayor Willie Shaw and Commissioner Shannon Snyder opposed the move. Three existing uses were "grandfathered," so they will not go through the new approval process. They are the annual Embracing Our Differences art show, the biennial Season of Sculpture and the Unconditional Surrender statue, which is expected to be up at least another decade. The commissioners were unanimous in instructing city staff to begin coordinating with the Sarasota 20:20 group looking at the future of the 42 acres in and around the exist- ing Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall parking (Above) City staff has received direction to become involved in the discussions about a new proposal for a cultural district in the area of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, including the venue's parking lot. Photo by Norman Schimmel PROPERTY AND HOMELESSNESS THE CITY COMMISSION APPROVES MORE OVERSIGHT OF USE OF THE BAYFRONT, DENIES AN EXPANSION OF A NEW RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY DISTRICT AND HEARS AN UPDATE ON HELP FOR THE HOMELESS By Stan Zimmerman City Editor