Scope of Critical Area Plan is what's critical

published 5.13.19 in The Herald Tribune

Opinion

Matrullo: A big idea near the Celery Fields

On Tuesday, Sarasota County will conduct a public workshop, part of a detailed study of some 38 acres of public lands adjacent to the Celery Fields known as “the Quads.” These four parcels galvanized public attention in 2017 when it became known that one parcel might be sold to a developer for a 16-acre waste processing plant.

The Quads sit at the center of a landscape in radical transition, between an aging industrial sector with giant-truck traffic on thin roads to the west; and to the east, 360 acres of open space featuring wetlands attractive to more than 220 bird species, and the unique “Mount Celery” offering humans great recreation and startling views.

The County Commission’s commendable decision to formally analyze the area’s roads, drainage, mobility constraints and more came after realizing that nothing can be done here without upgrades to the infrastructure. When such changes are considered, public comment is required.

The public’s opportunity comes at 6 p.m. Tuesday, when planners will gather input from “stakeholders” — residents, visitors, warehouse landlords, bird lovers and more — at a workshop at the Church of Hope, 1560 Wendell Kent Road.

Last year, citizens fearful of industrial development spent 10 months working on alternative ideas for the Quads. A cornucopia of ideas poured from our communities. Among them: public gardens, urban forests, meeting and exhibition rooms, an ecolodge, visitors center, exercise areas and infrastructure improvements to better serve our residents, visitors and wildlife.

The commissioners went with a different initiative, hiring a Miami firm to assess one parcel for sale, with an eye toward price, without examining compatibility or feasibility. Industry was recommended for the northwest parcel. A final decision about rezoning the parcels is expected in August. Meanwhile, James Gabbert has begun building a waste-transfer facility adjacent to the southwest parcel.

Commissioners Al Maio and Mike Moran have favored selling our land to private developers. But a far more transformative prospect is staring us in the face: a highway flyover with bicycle, pedestrian and automobile lanes is planned to connect University Town Center/Benderson with the new Waterside development and the Celery Fields. We wouldn’t need the highway — or even a car — to go from one end of this tri-dimensional area to the other.

How does this relate to the Quads? They sit at a key intersection: No car or bicycle can go from Benderson or Waterside to the Celery Fields without going through our public parcels.

Industry would add trucks, deaden walkability, and degrade visitor experience. Configured for recreational community, and visitor uses through a modest investment of tourist tax dollars, the Quads add value to this larger economic catalyst in revitalizing highway neighborhoods and businesses.

At Tuesday’s workshop, planners will listen to the public’s ideas about the Quads. But will the County Commission? Can we turn the county’s thinking in a positive direction?

Our commissioners have the power to create new value: an inland environment engaging three large and diverse assets with manifold synergies would make for a superb large-scale destination. Will the board instead choose to sell our lands so private developers can profit? Their decision will be permanent, and deeply concerns us all.

So here’s a suggestion: We citizens can offer thoughts, but we’re not Frederick Law Olmsted.

The county needs to retain a visionary planner — today’s Olmsted or John Nolen — to ensure that these three fine areas connect in a diverse, balanced, and accessible way. Because this public opportunity is big — unless our officials choose to make it small.

Tom Matrullo, a Sarasota County resident, has been actively working on Celery Fields issues for several years.