A long-running battle over downtown Sarasota’s skyline is likely headed to circuit court after city commissioners this week narrowly rejected for the third time a proposed high-rise that would become the city’s tallest building.
The proposed condo tower, formerly known as The Obsidian, has drawn widespread opposition over its height and design. Although it met the city’s 18-story limit, developers had included extra space between floors, making the proposal dramatically taller than other nearby buildings.
For three years, angry residents packed City Commission meetings, organized rallies and hired their own experts and attorneys to fight the project. About 45 opponents filled the commission chambers again Monday, donning custom red T-shirts reading “Say NO To the Skyscraper On Palm Ave.”
The proposed tower would have stood 320 feet tall at 1260 North Palm Avenue, becoming the new centerpiece of Sarasota’s skyline, despite containing just 14 condo units…