SRQ DAILY Oct 8, 2018
Monday Business Edition
"What it amounts to to me is planners getting a toehold in being able to dictate architecture, pure and simple."
A draft of a new form-based code, in the works for years in the City of Sarasota, saw its public release last week. Now business and civic groups have started scouring the code to learn what it could mean for the city’s future.
The city five years ago launched the Urban Design Studio to create a city-wide form-based code, something similar to the code regulating development in Downtown ever since the implementation of the 2020 Downtown Master Plan. City spokesman Jason Bartolone described the proposed code as “a modern response to the challenges of urban sprawl, deterioration of historic neighborhoods and the need for safe and efficient multi-modal transportation options for pedestrians and cyclists.” The new regulations intend to create predictability for the development community and for existing residents.
Kate Lowman, a founding member of STOP!, said her great concern right now revolves around process. The Downtown plan implemented an administrative review process for certain projects meeting code requirements to be approved without public hearings. “I have reviewed some aspects of the development approval process, and I can see that we will be losing even more public hearings,” she says. “Unfortunately it looks like this will take us in the wrong direction.”
But for architects, the chief concern remains in the heavy restrictions on design, something they now must contend with city-wide. “My main concern will still be with what many of us have been concerned with all along: Architectural Standards,” says architect James Piatchuk. He’s especially concerned that his photographs included in the code will steer expectations of the public even as architects seek out the chance to create something new and innovative.
“They are insistent on using photos to try make their case,” he says. “Though what case it is isn’t exactly clear because they state ‘for illustrative purposes only’ on each and every single photo, which tends to just confuse the issue. What it amounts to to me is planners getting a toehold in being able to dictate architecture, pure and simple.”
The American Institute of Architects has remained engaged through the past years of discussion about the new code. With the draft ready, city planning staff now start a review process for the code that should last for three months, and officials plan to host community workshops, public meetings and hearings before the new code gets implemented.
That leaves groups like STOP! and the AIA in review mode for the moment, carefully studying the 478-page draft code. “I am going to go through the whole draft as there is a fair chunk of revised information to verify and I don’t want to give opinions without having done a thorough review,” says Julian Norman-Webb, president of the AIA Florida Gulf Coast Chapter. 
Pictured: Excerpt of architectural standards included in Sarasota's draft form-based code.
Tuesday, Oct. 9 is the last day to register to vote in the November 6 general election, which will include The Legacy Trail Referendum and five amendments to Sarasota County's Charter. Voter registration applications are available at any Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office (Sarasota, Venice or North Port), as well as all public libraries, military recruitment offices and public assistance offices. The application can also be downloaded at sarasotavotes.com. In-person applications must be submitted to a Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office by 5pm, Tuesday, October 9. Online applications must be submitted by 11:59pm. Mailed applications must be postmarked by October 9.
The Sarasota County initiatives on the Nov. 6 ballot are: the Legacy Trail Referendum, which would fund the purchase of an old rail corridor to extend The Legacy Trail to Fruitville Road and make improvements to the existing trail, from North Port through Venice; a charter amendment that would limit petition signatures for citizen-initiated charter amendments to the relevant general election; a charter amendment to place Charter Review Board charter amendments only on November general election ballots, rather than the next countywide election; a charter amendment that would require the county to purchase a vacated portion of Beach Road that is currently restricted to pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and reopen it to vehicular traffic; a charter amendment that would prohibit the county from selling or giving away any county-owned parks and preserves, and prevent the county from vacating any road segments or rights of way along any beach, river, creek, canal, lake, bay, gulf access or waterfront vista; and a charter amendment that would require commissioners be elected only by voters in the districts in which they reside. To register to vote or verify registration in Sarasota County, visit the website below.
Venice High School has announced that its longtime baseball coach, Craig Faulkner, has been inducted into the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Hall of Fame. Coach Faulkner is the second coach from Venice High School to be inducted into the FHSAA Hall of Fame, the first being Coach Brian Wheatley. The FHSAA Hall of Fame was founded in 1991 to recognize and preserve the heritage of high school athletics in Florida. The origination aims to keep the tradition and spirit of high school athletics alive, and honors those who have excelled in one or more high school athletic programs. Coach Faulkner is a five-time state championship baseball coach who has won more than 400 games, including 15 20-win seasons. Starting in 2012, he helped Venice High School become the first FHSAA public school in 60 years to make five consecutive trips to the State Final Four. In 23 years of coaching, he has never been ejected from a game and is highly regarded by student athletes and the Venice High School administration and coaching staff.
More than 2,600 volunteers from more than 50 local companies and community groups will be mobilized to tackle more than 120 projects at local social service agencies, schools and community organizations through United Way Suncoast’s annual Day of Caring, held on Friday, October 12. United Way Suncoast organizes this massive undertaking as part of its mission to connect the caring people of the community with opportunities to make a difference. Through Day of Caring, local companies and organizations send teams to volunteer on projects that service agencies might not have the manpower or resources to afford. The value of the donated work is estimated to be $261,319, amounting to 10,584 hours or 264 weeks of work. Volunteers will take on projects at United Way partner agencies ranging from landscaping to painting and everything in between.
A selection of watercolors drawn from The Ringling’s permanent collections, illustrating various ways artists have used the medium. The exhibition will feature works by Edward Hopper, Charles Burchfield and Childe Hassam, among others.
The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota.
Join the Sarasota World Affairs Council for the first program in its 2018-19 lecture series, From PIGS to Hot Spot: How Portugal Is Engineering the Great Comeback Story of Post-Crisis Europe, featuring Dr. Michael Baum,Director of the Study in Portugal Network and an Executive Board member of the Luso-American Development Foundation. A dual-national of Portugal and the United States, Prof. Baum describes how Portugal has defied critics who insisted on austerity as the only way out of Europe’s debt crisis. Each SWAC lecture is followed by a members-only reception with the speaker in a historic building on Sarasota Bay. The lecture is free, but reservations are suggested
The first exhibition of Brooklyn-based artist Natalie Lerner, daughter of Leslie Lerner, features a series of intimately scaled etchings and graphite on paper drawings. Miami-based installation artist Brookhart Jounquil brings his mesmerizing and illusory glass- and light-based sculpture. An Onghena, brings her diaristic take on traditional and contemporary printmaking to create a series of daily prints.
Art Center Sarasota, 707 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota.
Don’t miss Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundations's Key to the Cure on October 11. In partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, Key to the Cure has raised more than $1,500,000 to further research for women’s cancer services, which include breast, ovarian, uterine and cervical cancer. Proceeds are reserved for SMH Cancer Care Programs and continue to benefit the prevention and treatment of women’s cancers including state-of-the-art technology and surgical approaches.
Saks Fifth Avenue , 120 University Town Center Dr, Sarasota, FL 34243
Sarasota Contemporary Dance kicks off the season with their live music and dance collaboration, "SCD + NOW Ensemble." NOW Ensemble is a dynamic group dedicated to making new chamber music for the 21st century. This evening-length performance, led by Mark Dancigers (Composer) and Leymis Bolaños Wilmott (Choreographer), will feature a world premiere composition and choreographic work inspired by Joan of Arc and, by popular demand, a restaging of "Dreamfall," co-choreographed by longtime company dancer, Xiao-Xuan Dancigers.
Jane B Cook Theatre - FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Aargh! Listen up, Matey! Don’t miss the 80th Annual Flower Show presented by the Scallywags of the Sarasota Garden Club. Enjoy a fun flower show both inside and out as you view the creative and beautiful floral designs, the lush and diverse horticulture and the stunning photography. While enjoying the flower show, be sure to stroll through the acre-plus of botanical gardens, a real Pirates Treasure you won’t want to miss. Avast ye! You ain’t done yet! Don’t miss the Annual Plant Sale & Gardenfest in conjunction with the Flower Show with a variety of plants and flowers propagated by club members priced typically lower than retail.
Sarasota Garden Club , 1131 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236
A solo exhibition presenting recent video projects by internationally acclaimed writer and interdisciplinary artist Coco Fusco. Works explore the current political and social climate in Cuba as the Revolution enters its twilight years. Fusco will be premiering her lasted video project currently in production. This newest project, made possible by her 2016 Greenfield commission at the Hermitage Artist Retreat, is a short video-essay on contemporary Cuba that reflects on the anxieties emerging as the country faces an uncertain future. Fusco will also be unveiling a new sculpture on The Ringling’s grounds.
The Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd., Sarasota.
The world needs saving, and Poonam Maini believes the world can do it together. Join Poonam Maini and the Share Care Global team for this second annual fundraising gala. This year’s program of focus is a girl’s home designed to help spark a change in the lives of 10 troubled youth. Participation will allow Share Care Global to encourage women and children to live their most authentic lives.
Michael's On East, 1212 South East Ave., Sarasota.
The story-crafting maven who has taught Hollywood notables such as Peter Jackson, Geoffrey Rush and Kirk Douglas brings his famous seminar to Sarasota. An opportunity for not only professional writers, aspiring writers, producers, directors, and numerous creative individuals in many genres, but also for educational institutions, their faculty and staff, and students of all ages, in many creative disciplines. Interested parties can call the Sarasota County film commission for registration and details: (941) 309-1200 extension 104.
Ringling College Academic Center Auditorium, 2700 North Tamiami Trl., Sarasota
The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks raise awareness and funds to help save lives from Breast Cancer. The event at Nathan Benderson Park, will raise money to fund innovative research, provide free information and support, and help people reduce their risk and find it early when it is easier to treat. From the opening ceremony to the post walk entertainment, the Making Strides event is a celebration of survivors and an opportunity to honor loved ones lost. It’s a day that won’t be forgotten and should not be missed.
Nathan Benderson Park , 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota, FL 34235
Join SRQ MEDIA as we celebrate 20 years of superlative
coverage, community engagement and living hyper-local at
LaStrada | SRQ’s 20th Anniversary Street Festival!
Dolphin Street, Downtown Sarasota, FL 34236
Program includes Giuseppina Ciarla’s original Butterfly Invasion, Claude Debussy’s Claire de Lune, Livingstone/Evans’ Que Sera Sera and even popular hits like Sting’s Roxanne and Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. Tickets are $48 and include food and drink.
Fischer/Weisenborne Residence
Join Second Chance Last Opportunity for the 23rd Annual Share the Light Luncheon on October 25 at Michael’s on East. The event will honor Hillary Dumbroski of Iberia Bank, Sarah Kupiec of Nathan Benderson Park and Circuit Court Judge Rochelle Curley. Standard tickets are $65/person or $520 for a table of eight.
Michael’s on East, 1212 S East Ave, Sarasota, FL 34239
Join us for Out of the Blue, Sarasota's largest fundraiser for mental health at Sarasota Architectural Company on October 25. Enjoy fabulous food provided by premier caterer Simply Gourmet, beer donated by Gulf Coast Eagle Distributors, wine and great musical entertainment. You don't want to miss this event benefitting NAMI Sarasota County. Dress is casual or just come from work as you are and relax to the great tunes of Rallo Pucci.
Sarasota Architectural Salvage, 1093 Central Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
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