Mixed-use complex on Dearborn Street waterfront will feature a destination restaurant
ENGLEWOOD – The developers of Buchan’s Bayside, a proposed mixed-use project on the former site of Buchan’s Landing, will host a second online Neighborhood Workshop on the proposed residential development and destination restaurant at 6 p.m., Nov. 27.
The first was held in November 2022.
The development, a product of a partnership of local businessmen including Scott Libertore, would have a destination restaurant and 12 paired villas on the former Buchan’s Landing resort property.
The workshop will be hosted on Zoom by Kimley-Horn & Associates. To register visit: https://bit.ly/3utZF0v while the Webinar ID is 978 4162 8289.
Neighborhood workshops are not public hearings but are typically the last step taken prior to being submitted to Sarasota County for consideration.
Here’s what you need to know about the proposal.
Where is Buchan’s Bayside?
The former Buchan’s Landing resort property is just south of where Old Englewood Road intersects West Dearborn Street and is part of the Englewood Community Redevelopment Area,
Though the restaurant and villas are part of the same project, there will be no vehicle connection between the properties.
The site is an aggregation of six parcels totaling 2.8 acres – including an off-site lot for valet parking on Old Englewood Road.
What zoning changes do they need?
The developers are asking for an amendment to unify the waterfront parcels, a change in zoning of the properties to Commercial General/Main Street Overlay District and a special exception to allow for the multifamily homes in commercial general.
They are also asking for a special exception to allow for the off-site valet parking.
The proposed changes will be subject to public hearings before both the Sarasota County Planning Commission and the County Commission.
What else is planned?
A grand oak tree will be preserved, as will existing mangroves. Last year Farlow, owner of Farlow’s on the Water, said the intention is to evoke memories of the lush scenery outside the old Summerhouse restaurant on Siesta Key.
As many as 23 slips are designed for patrons who wish to visit the restaurant by boat and will not be part of a marina.
Kelley Klepper, a senior project manager at Kimley-Horn, said at the 2022 meeting that the project conforms to the overall Englewood redevelopment master plan and supports one of the CRA missions (to incorporate mixed-use) and brings new concepts to Englewood, namely the villas and the dockside restaurant.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Dearborn Street waterfront complex would feature restaurant and villas
