May, 18, 2020
Dear Neighbors:
I had a conversation with Hayley Baldinelli in the County Planning Dept. about a planned affordable housing development on School/Hatton St. and its impact on the Hudson Creek Stormwater Canal. I will share with you this new information.
For a number of years, Sarasota County has debated the use of a strip of county property which runs along Hatton St. bordering the Hudson Creek Canal running from School St to Shade and continuing to Euclid near the Rehab Hospital where Alta Vista holds its meetings. Various ideas have been discussed to use the land as a building site for multi-family affordable housing or perhaps to transfer the parcel to the School Dept. for parking or another use.
The parcel in question is a narrow strip of property with two catch basins and includes Hudson Creek stormwater canal. If the County were to retain ownership of the canal and convey only the flat areas adjacent to the creek to a private developer, it is arguable whether this would qualify as a buildable lot.
If the County conveyed the entire parcel to a private developer, it would retain an easement for the creek and catch basins. The county would still maintain those areas under easement.
There are questions for residents of Alta Vista and especially those of us who live near or next to Hudson Creek Canal. Transferring infrastructure from simple ownership to easement means that the county would sacrifice some control. For example, in the worst scenario the private owner could pipe and pave the canal for a road or parking lot. This would, of course, have to be approved by multiple agencies but it is a possibility.
This is very early in the process. No one knows for sure how many units would be planned and how much of the land would be built upon. The school department has first option and they may take responsibility for this sensitive parcel.
There is a Commission Meeting on July 8th to consider these questions. You can attend or send your comments.
Personally, I feel that no matter how you feel about the need for affordable housing, it seems prudent to retain ownership of this crucial part of our stormwater infrastructure especially in a time of climate uncertainty. And finally, to those of you who are unfamiliar with the canal, there is a good view from the footbridge at the end of Browning St. where you can visit one of the last refuges of wildlife in this part of the city. Hawks, wading birds, otters and red fox are frequently sighted.
David Turner 2584 Browning St.
Dear Neighbors:
I had a conversation with Hayley Baldinelli in the County Planning Dept. about a planned affordable housing development on School/Hatton St. and its impact on the Hudson Creek Stormwater Canal. I will share with you this new information.
For a number of years, Sarasota County has debated the use of a strip of county property which runs along Hatton St. bordering the Hudson Creek Canal running from School St to Shade and continuing to Euclid near the Rehab Hospital where Alta Vista holds its meetings. Various ideas have been discussed to use the land as a building site for multi-family affordable housing or perhaps to transfer the parcel to the School Dept. for parking or another use.
The parcel in question is a narrow strip of property with two catch basins and includes Hudson Creek stormwater canal. If the County were to retain ownership of the canal and convey only the flat areas adjacent to the creek to a private developer, it is arguable whether this would qualify as a buildable lot.
If the County conveyed the entire parcel to a private developer, it would retain an easement for the creek and catch basins. The county would still maintain those areas under easement.
There are questions for residents of Alta Vista and especially those of us who live near or next to Hudson Creek Canal. Transferring infrastructure from simple ownership to easement means that the county would sacrifice some control. For example, in the worst scenario the private owner could pipe and pave the canal for a road or parking lot. This would, of course, have to be approved by multiple agencies but it is a possibility.
This is very early in the process. No one knows for sure how many units would be planned and how much of the land would be built upon. The school department has first option and they may take responsibility for this sensitive parcel.
There is a Commission Meeting on July 8th to consider these questions. You can attend or send your comments.
Personally, I feel that no matter how you feel about the need for affordable housing, it seems prudent to retain ownership of this crucial part of our stormwater infrastructure especially in a time of climate uncertainty. And finally, to those of you who are unfamiliar with the canal, there is a good view from the footbridge at the end of Browning St. where you can visit one of the last refuges of wildlife in this part of the city. Hawks, wading birds, otters and red fox are frequently sighted.
David Turner 2584 Browning St.
