CIGARETTE BAN COULD BE RETURNING TO SIESTA KEY page
8
MUSIC NIGHTLY! YOUR HOME FOR LIGHTNING HOCKEY page
CHALLENGES CONTINUE FOR INCORPORATION GROUP
5
page
11
NEW MEMBERS WELCOME
Why the world comes to Sarasota
©
SiestaKeyFitness.com APRIL 2022 | 941.312.0665 | 27TH STATE MEDIA LLC | www.SiestaSand.us | COMPLIMENTARY
A market gone mad At all price levels, for buyers and renters alike, experts say Sarasota’s hot real estate market will continue to affect Siesta prices for the next 18 to 24 months — at least By Hannah Wallace In January of this year, the Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com Emerging Housing Markets Index revealed nationally what local Realtors had already been dealing with for months: The Sarasota housing market is red hot. WSJ/Realtor.com named North Port-
Sarasota-Bradenton No. 2 among the country’s “top metro areas for home buyers seeking an appreciating housing market and appealing lifestyle amenities.” The rankings were based in part on numbers from the fourth quarter of 2021. (Naples was No. 1.) Seeing a hot market get even hotter, local
homeowners have been moving to put their properties on the market to take advantage of the growing demand. Prospective buyers are looking to pull the trigger now as prices seem destined to climb. Continued on page49
Drone on, David! Annual visitor creating some special aerial photography of Siesta Key, and is happy to share it on social media By Jane Bartnett
G
etting that perfect shot is for what every photographer strives. When photographer David Geyer first began working with a drone camera, he was instantly captivated. This winter, his beautiful aerial drone images of Siesta Key sunsets and area landmarks that he posted on Facebook have made him a bit of a local celebrity. “The perspective that a drone offers is amazing,” he said. “It’s so liberating.” Most of his pictures were posted on the page entitled SIESTA KEY, with dozens of positive comments and “likes” coming his way.
Above, David Geyer operates his drone camera at Nora Patterson Park (photo by Jane Bartnett). Far left, lifeguard “Scooter of the Beach” welcomes a flyover; near left, sting rays from above. (photos by David Geyer).
Continued on page 39
By Phil Colpas In the continuing battle to determine how Siesta Key will handle future development, the last several rounds have gone to the developers. The county recently greenlighted two large-scale hotel projects for the island; approved a setback variance at the Saba Sands property, 636 Beach Rd., to allow for the construction of a four-unit beach condo; and granted exceptions to allow for the construction of a swimming pool seaward of the property at 104 Beach Rd. Concerned citizens have filed two lawsuits against construction of the hotels, alleging, among other things, that the county did not have the authority to change its own Comprehensive Plan or alter established density from 26 hotel rooms per acre on a barrier island. Sarasota County wants the second lawsuit dropped. The lawsuit in question was filed late last year by four plaintiffs fronted by James Wallace, who has been a resident of Siesta Key since 1964. Wallace’s hotel lawsuit targets both the 170-room Siesta Village hotel and Dr. Gary Kompothecras’ 120-room hotel and parking garage project at Old Stickney Point and Peacock roads. In their complaint, Wallace, 222 Beach Owners Association, Robert Sax, and Marina Del Sol Condominium Association allege that the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners acted illegally and in violation of their own procedures by adopting the Land Development Code changes without first Continued on page 22
Page 6
Page 25
Page 40
Go ahead and trash this guy
It’s the perfect place to park it
This month’s fishing forecast
• Village Map/business listings PAGES 28, 29 • Crescent Beach Map/ business listings PAGE 34 • Gulf Gate Shops PAGE 43 • Music Calendar PAGE 46 • Accommodations Map/ Listings PAGE 55
County requests that lawsuit is tossed out
SHAPIRO
DELGADO
Injury Lawyer We are your neighbors and your Siesta Key lawyers.
David Shapiro Jaime954-4000 Delgado GetMeJustice.com / (941) Managing Partner Managing Partner Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and Mediator by Florida Bar AV rating by Martindale Hubbell Voted Best Lawyers By U.S. News and World Report Siesta Key resident for more than 30 years
AV rated by Martindale Hubbell Voted Best Lawyers By U.S. News and World Report Bilingual Siesta Key resident for more than 20 years
Set your creativity free at William Raveis. The Justice we pursue, is Yours. Helping the injured since 1990
Your Key Lawyers At William Raveis, our agents are free to getSiesta creative.
308 Cocoanut Avenue | Sarasota, Florida 34236
Inspired by our entrepreneurial culture, they are empowered to thrive as www.GetMeJustice.com | (941)954-4000 themselves. Becoming the real estate entrepreneur they want to be. We provide a framework in which they can flourish. Equipping our team with state-of-the-art tools to make selling effortless. Acting as an accelerator of talent through our coaching and mentorship programs. Getting creative is better for everyone. Homes sold easier. Homes sold faster. Homeowners happier. Call for a confidential consultation 941.894.1255
Your best can only get better.
1398
