SARASOTA
Observer
H O ME + GARDEN YOUR HOME DECEMBER 2016
Home resource STORICAL DITION guideHIADINSIDE new home blends Lido Shores E8 simplicity. PAG and old, with
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VOLUME 13, NO. 3
FREE
Hotel hurdles
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2016
Unleash the hounds PAGE 3A
Fido may find freedom in city parks.
Siesta Key residents decry murky plans for a hotel on the barrier island. ALEX MAHADEVAN NEWS INNOVATION EDITOR
Gary Kompothecras, a Siesta Key resident and the entrepreneur behind 1-800-ASK-GARY, knows he wants to put a hotel on the island. It’s what he doesn’t know — where, how tall, how many rooms, what flag — that was one of the biggest concerns Dec. 7 during the first public meeting for plans to alter the Sarasota County comprehensive plan. Land use attorney Charlie Bailey and planning consultant Bo Medred were laying out plans to allow more density on the island as long as a property is redeveloped as a hotel. SEE PAGE 4A
YOUR TOWN David Conway
A group of pet owners is trying to convince the city that Bayfront Park is the ideal place to let dogs run without a leash.
More paw parks: Gillespie Park may soon have a new dog hot spot. PAGE 6A A+E
City explores park tax
Niki Kottmann
Sweet Circus The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota pastry team is giving Willy Wonka a run for his money with its seasonal gingerbread creation. The rotating gingerbread carousel took 300 hours, 400 pieces of gingerbread, 30 pounds of chocolate and 200 pounds of candy to create the confectionery masterpiece. Even the animals were decorated with edible items.
David Conway
The city is considering creating a dedicated park district.
Are residents willing to pay for improved park services? The city wants to know. PAGE 12A
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