1260 Palm Properties pursued state mediation process after commission’s vote last year against construction
In May, the Sarasota City Commission is expected to consider terms of a settlement reached through mediation with the developer of the proposed condominium complex at 1260 N. Palm Ave. in Sarasota, known as the Obsidian.
The terms will come out of a state process provided through the Florida Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act, known as FLUEDRA. Steps in that act lay out how a Special Magistrate — hired upon mutual agreement of the parties — works with representatives of both a developer whose plans have been denied by a local government and representatives of that local government — to hammer out details of an alternative plan, in an effort to finally achieve a positive outcome for a project.
Yet, even when considering the Special Magistrate’s recommendation at the conclusion of a FLUEDRA process, state law says the local government may reject the proposed terms…