Sarasota Mayor Debbie Trice attempted to redesign a condo development from the dais. Vice Mayor Kathy Kelley Ohlrich advocated for extending in perpetuity four attainable housing units beyond the required 30 years. Commissioner Liz Alpert had had enough already and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs, as she sometimes must, admonished commissioners over rambling discussions and changes suggested after a motion was made.
At issue on Aug. 3 was the approval on second reading of the right of way vacation of Osprey Court. The alley in question separates two parcels on Ringling Boulevard and South Osprey Avenue. PFI 721 Development wants to consolidate them into a single 10-story, 54-unit condominium building. It will include four attainable-priced units in conformity with the city’s downtown attainable housing bonus density program.
Commissioners previously approved the application by a 4-1 vote, with Trice opposed. Her objection was the loss of light and air on the 20-foot-wide, 207-foot-long strip that would otherwise separate two 10-story towers if parcels were developed separately to the maximum. In the end it was approved again on second reading by an identical vote, with Trice once again opposed…