Mediation has concluded, minor modifications have been ordered and now the rejected plan for a condominium tower to replace a row of merchants on the 1200 block of North Palm Avenue is coming back before the Sarasota City Commission.
The agenda for the commission’s next regular meeting on May 4 is light, a fortunate if not intentional circumstance as the reconsideration of the 18-story, 14-unit Obsidian condominium tower, also known as 1260 N. Palm Residences will likely occupy considerable time.
The matter was referred back to the city by Special Magistrate Mark Bentley of Tampa, recommending the commission reverse its 4-1 decision on May 13 to grant an appeal by residents of neighboring Bay Plaza condominiums of the administrative approval of the site plan, which included three adjustments to street-level code requirements pertaining to parallel facade, habitable space and retail frontage…