The impending arrival of perhaps Sarasota’s most exclusive private club has found itself at odds with the association that represents 49 owners in the BLVD Condominiums located above it. That the city didn’t receive an application to operate as a private club in the Downtown Bayfront zone district has also landed it before the Planning Board as buildout nears completion.
Among the issues with the condo association are concerns about valet and other arrival and departure operations encroaching on what the association claims is functional use for the residents, in addition to some exterior construction to house the club’s heating and air conditioning equipment.
As far as the city of Sarasota is concerned, those matters are civil in nature and between the parties to settle. What is of interest to the city, though, is the club backed by Michael Jordan, Serena Williams and several professional golfers, among other notables, failed to recognize that, as a private club, it must receive minor conditional use approval. That includes submitting a site plan for approval before construction begins…