4 weeks ago Share An executive order from Gov. Ron DeSantis rendered consideration of a mask mandate moot, the city attorney said.
The city of Sarasota won’t be adopting another ordinance mandating the use of facial coverings following an executive order from Gov. Ron DeSantis limiting the emergency regulatory power of local governments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City Commission was scheduled to consider approving a mask mandate at a public hearing Tuesday, with a majority of the board signaling its support for the measure. But at Monday’s commission meeting, City Attorney Robert Fournier said the order DeSantis issued Monday restricted the city’s ability to adopt the proposed ordinance.
Correction: Sarasota County is reporting 17.2 new COVID cases per day per 100,000 people. An earlier version of this story was incorrect.
Editor s note: The Sarasota City Commission made the decision late Monday to cancel Tuesday s public hearing on the proposed face covering ordinance. The meeting was canceled in light of Gov. Ron DeSantis order and this story has been updated to reflect those changes.
SARASOTA – Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday said he will suspend any local pandemic-related restrictions, thwarting an effort by Sarasota officials to reinstate a citywide mandatory mask mandate.
During a bill-signing in St. Petersburg, DeSantis said ending local restrictions was the “evidence-based thing to do” considering the availability of COVID-19 vaccines.
9 hours ago Share Although the city rejected the Arts and Cultural Alliance’s proposed partnership, the nonprofit still intends to bring affordable live-work space to the North Trail.
If the yearslong effort to create an affordable artist-housing project in Sarasota is going to become a reality, it won’t be with significant financial support from the city.
On Monday, the commission voted 3-2 to reject a request to partner with the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County on construction of live-work space for artists at 4644 N. Tamiami Trail. The Arts Alliance is negotiating with Sarasota County to use the site, which county officials are trying to sell to aid the development of affordable housing.
9 hours ago Share Officials are exploring opportunities to revise the city’s building regulations outside of predominantly residential areas. What could this mean for Sarasota’s future?
It’s been more than two decades since the city adopted a comprehensive overhaul of its zoning code, but that could change next year.
On Monday, the City Commission voted 3-2 to move forward with a plan to develop options for revising the building regulations in nonresidential areas of Sarasota. The forthcoming proposals could reshape permissible developments downtown and on commercial roads, such as U.S. 41.
Monday’s vote did not commit the city to making any changes. The commission authorized the Planning Department’s plans for drafting and evaluating potential revisions, a process likely to extend into 2022.