LKRA Is Focused On and is Actively Monitoring

LKRA is monitoring these proposed projects and activities that directly affect our members and will advocate in support of that project or a modification to that project that will be in the best interest of our residents. LKRA encourages all developers and others advocating change to work in concert with our association.

LKRA monitors meetings of our City Commission, it's Boards, Panels and other advisory Committees for issues affecting our neighborhood. We work with them and City Staff in the development and enforcement of their planning and zoning tools and other ordinances that protect our barrier islands. Upcoming Meeting Agendas and videos of past meetings are all available on-line. In addition, most meetings are broadcast LIVE.

We encourage members to communicate with City Staff, Commissioners and members of Advisory Boards. Feel free to attend Public Hearings and Workshops in person or through other communications. Regular City Commission meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 9:00 AM. Meetings will have a NOON lunch break, then resume until 5:00 PM.

We are currently monitoring:

Vacation Rentals (aka Hotel Houses) Ordinance Implementation
Increased Circle Building Height
City Stats and Reports (planning, development, and crime)

An effective way to communicate with City Commissioners is eComments an online tool to increase participation in public meetings. eComments are accepted for agenda items up until 72 hours prior to the start of a meeting.

City of Sarasota Meetings Agendas Videos

Vacation Rentals (aka "Hotel Houses")

The City's Vacation Rental ordinance is focused on ensuring residents the tranquility and peaceful enjoyment of their homes and their neighborhoods; to mitigate incompatibilities between vacation rentals and resident occupied homes; and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the occupants of vacation rentals and their guests and to encourage them to be respectful of the residents of the neighborhood in which they are vacationing. The ordinance, effective May 4, 2021 required all existing vacation rentals to be inspected and registered by June 1, 2022. The City's website identifies Registration Guidelines, Registering (online), Requirements and Standards and Enforcement. If you have an issue let a Board Member know.

Registration Update: Staff reports as of 1/13/2023:

Total Pending/Active Registrations: 121
Applications Pending Initial Review: 0
Requested More Documentation (Waiting on Customer): 0
Approved and Pending Payment: 0
Inspections Scheduled: 3
Active Certificate of Registrations: 118
Outstanding expected applications: 13

Learn More

Increase Circle Building Height

The St. Armands Business Improvement District ("BID"), a City Board consisting of five St. Armands commercial property owners, has proposed to increase the allowed height of the existing commercial buildings on St. Armands and to expand the use of the upper floors to include residences, BnB's and hotels. The BID is given tax money by the City to spend on the maintenance and marketing of the St. Armands commercial district. One of the five BID board members, and a long time former BID chairperson, is Gavin Meshad, who is also one of the developers behind the Fillmore Parking Lot proposal.

This requested height increase is deceiving. On the surface, they are asking for an additional 10', from 35' to 45'. But that starts from FEMA level which is a little over 10 feet in this area. So existing height under existing zoning would allow for 3 stories. The proposal is enough to add a 4th story and allow for residential and transient use.

Current Status (as of March 2022)

This proposal requires a comprehensive plan change. The City Commission voted 5-0 to deny a request from the BID to send this to Planning staff for a study and proposal, thus delaying any new development for some time.