Developers and Residents CAN Work Together

Sarasota's desirability makes it a magnet for developers. However, residents who are afraid of too much building, over-crowding and ruination of green spaces often create loud and powerful lobbies against the builders plans.

It is a battle played out every day, in every part of this region. In Sarasota's historic and charming Arlington Park, residents protested that developers Rand Hillview LLC should not be allowed to build their 65 foot tall condominium complex, Residences at Hyde Park, on a site across from the Sarasota Memorial Hospital - too big, too obtrusive onto the street, they argued. The trash dumpster area would be visible from the street; and city officials further required that a stately grand oak tree, rooted in the center of the 1.5 acre property, be preserved. Developers were sent away, back to the drawing board.

When they returned to re-pitch their project , they expected the stiff opposition to prevail once again. However, what happened instead is a lesson for all developers and associations in this growing area of the state - the residents applauded and approved the plan, which will now go before the Sarasota Planning Board in June. Why the dramatic turn-around? Residents say that they felt validated that the developers listened to their concerns, went back and seriously addressed the issues, and came up with workable solutions. These solutions included slanting the walls of the complex to create less austere presence on the street and relocating the areas for trash. The complex concept was also re-drawn by the project architect in order to save the old oak tree.

City officials are impressed by the developers willingness to create a project the community approves of, while the Arlington Park association was open minded in considering the re-design. We can only hope as Sarasota and the surrounding areas continue to grow and develop, that more such harmonious relationships can be struck, for the benefit of us all.