North River Marketplace shopping center, housing development pass first Sarasota County votes

Earle Kimel, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
This aerial map shows both the study and impact area for the North River Marketplace Critical Area Plan. Three separate developers are interested in building projects on the 192-acres though the overall critical area plan is being shepherded through by representatives of The Barclay Group, which is interested in building a 51.2-acre commercial center that would include 110-square-feet of commercial development and 285 multi-family homes.

Plans to build a 51.52-acre commercial center, as well as another proposal for single and multi-family residential units, received a major boost Tuesday following four separate votes by the Sarasota County Commission.

None of the votes mark the end of the process. But one vote taken – to adopt the 192-acre North River Market Place Critical Area Plan – would enable the development of the center.

Local Realtor Ray A. Westbrook founder of the group “Save the Myakka River – Stop Commercial Development Near the Myakka” fears the commercial site is too close to the Myakka River. He called the proposal to clear almost 57 acres – including a small tract on the northwest intersection of East Venice Avenue and River Road – irresponsible.

“That’s tremendous growth,” Westbrook said. “We’re talking about clearing a significant amount of land. It’s shocking.”

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What else was approved?

• The county commission approved transmitting a comprehensive plan amendment to change the future land use designation for the 51.52 acres from moderate density residential to Village II Commercial Center to the state Department of Economic Opportunity for review and comment. That passed with Commissioner Mark Smith in lone dissent because none of the 285 multifamily residences envisioned by The Barclay Group, which is developing the 51.52-acre site, were earmarked as potential affordable housing.

Those market rate residences would be on the southwest portion of the property, while 110,000 square feet of commercial/office space front both East Venice Avenue and River Road, with the commercial portion anchored by a grocery store.

This graphic shows the North River Marketplace Critical Area Plan. The 51.52-acre proposed commercial center is shaded in blue. It is surrounded by land that would be used for the residential development, Sweet Water Lakes, while the smaller parcel north of East Venice Avenue is targeted for a self-storage facility.
This graphic shows the North River Marketplace Critical Area Plan. The 51.52-acre proposed commercial center is shaded in blue. It is surrounded by land that would be used for the residential development, Sweet Water Lakes, while the smaller parcel north of East Venice Avenue is targeted for a self-storage facility.

• Approved a change in zoning for that site from open use estate-1 to commercial general.

• Approved the development concept plan for the shopping center and multifamily housing proposed by The Barclay Group.

What’s next?

About 105-acres of the 192-acre Critical Area Plan is part of a proposed 115-ace residential development Sweet Water Lakes that could result in the construction of as many as 565 homes.

Attorney Jeff Boone noted that the proposed subdivision is still being reviewed by Sarasota County staff.

In August, the registered agent for the developer, Mike Miller, said Austin, Texas-based New Growth Living private real estate development company that specializes in luxury build-to-rent communities plans to build a  236-homes on a portion of that land.

Sweet Water Lakes would include attached villas, single-family homes and as many as 36 attached four-plex cottages. The four-plex cottages, Miller said , are planned as workforce housing.

A 5.85-acre parcel on the northwest corner of East Venice Avenue and River Road, owned by JEM Florida LLC is being eyed as the location of a self-storage facility. That proposal is farther back in the pipeline.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County Commission moves new shopping center, housing forward