Statement to the Board regarding Quads Critical Area Plan

This statement on reopening the Critical Area Plan (CAP) of the public lands near the Celery fields was presented in Open to the Public and via email on Jan. 29, 2019. It is necessary to remind our elected officials that this is public land because they make decisions like this. 

1.29.2019

To:      The Board of Sarasota County Commissioners
From:  Tom Matrullo
RE:     Critical Area Plan for the Quad Parcels/Celery Fields Area

Commissioners,

As you know, the Quad parcels have galvanized public attention here for the past two years.

The excellent planning memorandum on the CAP clearly indicates that this process holds promise for a new vision of these public lands and the Celery Fields area. Mr. Osterhoudt and Mr. Kirk state:

An analysis of the general conditions should be performed for the entire CAP area.

Further, they describe possible uses for these public parcels, including #6:

Park, recreation indoor/outdoor, civic/cultural

The Memo promises to examine mobility, buffering, landscaping, aesthetics, architectural design, and connection with the Celery Fields, as well as to identify incompatible uses. All this is music to the ears of the communities of the Fresh Start Initiative.

We fully agree that all citizens of Sarasota County are equal stakeholders, as the memo states:

… ensure public input from interested individuals and organizations, property owners and occupants within the CAP area, as well as users of the Celery Fields facilities.

As fiduciary stewards of our public lands, your Scope of Work needs to be open, transparent, and inclusive. We recommend that you incorporate three clarifying elements in this process:

1. Make unambiguously clear that no preference or deference will be given to any particular group who might provide input to the amendment process. The phrase “stakeholders and the general public” be amended to clarify that all citizens are equal stakeholders. 
2. The Board might legitimately seek input from specific subgroups of “stakeholders,” so long as the openness of this process is honored. Make sure every meeting is advertised and open to all. 
3. The process might find compelling reason to amend the boundaries of the CAP. Your Scope of Work should allow flexibility of boundaries for such contingency. 

Finally, make the most of this opportunity to meet pressing community needs -- affordable workforce housing, athletic facilities, civic spaces for thousands of future residents. The Celery Fields is an exceptional eco-tourist destination in need of parking and supplementary facilities. 

This process can address all these considerations.

Commissioners, the people of Sarasota want this to succeed. At the end of the day, if done right, our community will have a new vision of the area -- one that respects these important assets, protects them for future synergies, and connects them with crucial community benefits.

Thank you.

Tom Matrullo

Public "Quad" parcels

Quad parcels and Celery Fields

Update: Quad Parcels, Gabbert, Audubon Workshop

With the new year, there are two updates about the Quad Parcels near the Celery Fields, and news of  a coming workshop.

1. On Tuesday the Board will discuss reopening the Critical Area Plan for the Quad parcels. These four parcels are Public Lands. It's the next to last item on the day's long agenda.

This entire process is about public lands, and requires that the public be recognized as stakeholders on a par with all other interested parties. Please advise your neighbors. The staff notes for Tuesday's discussion are here.

Quad Parcels are Public Lands

Critical Area Planning can be useful when an area in transition needs to be rezoned, and its surroundings have changed. The idea is to look at what could be the best uses for the Quad parcels given the current context. How that context is defined will be key. It could include Celery Fields, the Fruitville Initiative, Big Cat Habitat and the businesses of the Packinghouse district, as well as nearby neighborhoods and office parks.

When a critical area plan is opened, new possibilities can be created. The county will seek input "from stakeholders and the general public." This is tricky. If the critical area plan is just about the quads, who are the stakeholders? Robert Waechter and James Gabbert, who own industrial properties bordering on parcel #2? The key will be the borders and scope of work, which need to include the full range of options for future uses on this land -- not simply the "lens" of the Lambert Advisory report. More background here and here.

Seen from highway: Owner James Gabbert who plans a Waste Transfer Station
on this six-acre site.  Beyond the treeline is Parcel #2, with the Celery Fields in background

2. It is confirmed that James Gabbert will receive the long-sought permit to build his Waste Transfer Facility, or WTF, on the six-acre parcel he owns at Porter and Palmer (the left rectangle of parcel 2). It's the first property one sees when coming from the West through the Palmer I-75 underpass.

Mr. Gabbert is expected to receive final approval (no public hearing required) within two weeks. For those wondering what can be done  to mitigate this authorized blight, we'll have some suggestions in the coming week. We'd like to hear yours as well.

3. Sarasota Audubon will hol a workshop about saving public lands from development - see the attached flyer. It's an opportunity to learn some important things. It's free at the Audubon Nature Center (at the foot of Mt. Celery) on Feb. 15, 1:30 pm.

As always, thanks for caring about our entire Celery Fields area -- and about honest, transparent, sensible planning.

Fire Station workshop set for Jan. 23

Parcel #3 -- the NW quadrant at Apex and Palmer -- has long been considered for the site of a new Fire Station. A neighborhood workshop is set for Wednesday Jan. 23, 6 p.m. to describe the plan and receive community feedback. Brian Lichterman is the agent, and the workshop will meet at Colonial Oaks Park Meeting Room A, 5300 Colonial Oaks Blvd. More detail below.

The complete workshop notice with maps is here.

New Power Lines will not be near Celery Fields

FPL has made its decision on the route of the new transmission lines that will support growth in East Sarasota County, and it's the choice preferred by the communities near the Celery Fields, Sarasota Audubon, and the Fresh Start Initiative -- the route along Clark Road:

FPL Power line route along Clark Rd (click image to enlarge)

Celery Fields advocates and residents had expressed concern at an optional route that would have taken the tall power lines along Palmer Blvd and Apex Rd. near the birding, wildlife and recreation area. Here is the communication from FPL manager Rae Dowling:

After an extensive route selection study by the project team, that included feedback from a diverse Community Advisory Panel, an open house meeting, and meetings with neighborhood groups and community leaders, I’m writing to let you know that Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has selected its preferred route for the proposed Bobwhite-Howard 138 kV transmission line. On behalf of the entire project team, I want to thank you for your participation in our Community Advisory Panel and for the time you invested providing your perspectives for us to consider in our study.  Having the perspective of our customer’s voice in important to us and we truly value your contribution to this important project. The preferred route, which is included in the attachment to this email, follows along almost the entire 13-mile length of existing FPL transmission and distribution lines, a siting criteria consistently endorsed by our customers. Route surveying work will begin on this project this month.  If you have any questions, please contact myself at the numbers below or Daniel Hronec, P.E., Project Manager at (561) 904-3638 or by email at Daniel.Hronec@FPL.com. Thank you. 

Recommended Framework for Quads Plan: Executive Summary

This is the short version of a recommendation that the Planners adopt a broad scope in the Critical Area Planning Process for the public lands at the Celery Fields.

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Nutshell: Integrate stranded assets into a substantial recreational and visitor opportunity by investing in our public lands at the Celery Fields for the public good.

A careful look at the public “Quads” parcels at the Celery Fields reveals a key area in radical transition. Sarasota County’s Critical Area Plan, or CAP, will study the surroundings for compatibility, consistency, walkability, and potential enhancements. The Board’s commendable decision to authorize this process in fact helps identify a new and unusually diverse “dual destination” for residents and visitors.

One goal of the CAP is to optimize mobility. Plans already on the books call for a highway flyover connecting UTC/Nathan Benderson Park west of I-75 with roads and trails to the East via Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. The Boulevard will run into Fruitville Road at Coburn Rd., which becomes Apex Rd. and runs south to the Quad parcels at Palmer Blvd. Key visitor areas -- UTC/Benderson and the Celery Fields will be linked via trails for bicycles, pedestrians and runners. Imagine the athletic events that could begin at one attraction, “fly over” the highway, and end at the other!

Safe circulation through a large interconnected area without need of the highway will open up a wide variety of things for both residents and visitors to see and do. At UTC/Benderson they’ll find restaurants, shopping, the rowing park and Mote aquarium; down at the Celery Fields, they'll enjoy a tranquil environment for hiking and birding, as well as lions, tigers, horseback riding, kayaking and picnicking in one of the most beautiful spots in Florida.

Clearly our public parcels sit at a key intersection. With some careful thought they can:

• Protect and enhance the Celery Fields with support facilities (parking, food) to meet future needs
• Integrate stranded assets like the north Celery Fields waterway, Ackerman Park, Big Cat Habitat with UTC/Benderson Rowing, Mote, and more.
• Help address road networks, trails, bus loops, visitors’ center and more to optimize experiences for residents, businesses, schools, and visitors.

A modest investment of tourist tax dollars for these enhancements will transform the I-75 corridor into a powerful economic catalyst, revitalizing surrounding neighborhoods and business districts. A bold, creative plan will create a diverse, interconnected inland attraction we can all be proud of.

Invest in our public lands at the Celery Fields for the public good.

Complete version here