On Friday, August 21, 2026, the news broke: Kelly Bauman and the Oppose Manasota Beach Road group celebrated a big win.
Judge Suzanne Van Wyck ruled in Kelly Bauman’s favor. That means Kelly’s case survives, pushing forward to a September 2026 hearing. The court’s order states, “DENYING MOTION TO DISMISS, STRIKING PORTIONS OF THE AMENDED PETITION, AND NARROWING ISSUES FOR FINAL HEARING.”
The official record lays it all out. This fight centers on the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP 43028205.036) that the Southwest Florida Water Management District gave the County. The permit covers the controversial East Manasota Beach Road Extension, a 2.06-mile stretch planned for Englewood, Florida. The latest changes? Two new dry retention ponds (numbers 6 and 7), plus a reduction in the acreage of wetland impacts that now need mitigation. These modifications update an earlier permit (ERP 43028205.005) already issued for the project.
This means that Sarasota County, Southwest Florida Water Management District, and Pat Neal’s Economic Stimulus Working Group, LLC will need to prepare to meet Kelly Bauman in court this September. According to Kelly, she is preparing and ready for the next step.
Sure, the larger battle isn’t over yet. But this round went to Kelly and the opposition. It hasn’t been easy. Kelly summed it up with relief and gratitude: “We’re moving to the hearing. I’ll try to hang on, but just getting here means everything.”
There’s more to come with this story, so stay tuned. Click here for more information about the Oppose Manasota Beach Rd. Facebook group.
