Sarasota County Democratic Party Sides with Neighborhood Residents on Siesta Promenade Concerns

Kevin Griffith, Vice Chairman of the Sarasota County Democratic Party presented a major statement today to the Sarasota County Board of Commissioners on behalf of the Party related to the “Siesta Promenade” development at the intersection of US Route 41 and Stickney Point Road.

Griffith urged the County Commission to undertake independent traffic and other studies before any approvals related to the Benderson Development Company proposal. “We believe this proposal – and especially the density exceptions requested by the developer – will adversely affect the safety, economic opportunity and quality of life of current and future County residents,” he said.

He noted that the Florida Department of Transportation has already indicated their concerns about traffic congestion and significant increases in accidents at this intersection, and that they urged “special consideration” of impacts on traffic and safety for any future development at U.S. 41 and Stickney Point Road. “This has not been done,” he said.

Griffith closed his statement by reminding the County Commissioners that they “are elected to serve the public interest. County Commissioners must put the interests of residents first – ahead of the narrower personal and financial interest of the developers. The Sarasota County Democratic Party supports the concerns of local residents and neighborhood organizations about the size and scope of this proposed project, and we urge the Commissioners to undertake the studies necessary to assure the development will not adversely affect their safety, economic opportunity and quality of life.”