A proposed 2.06-mile road linking State Road 776 to South River Road has become the focus of a legal and political dispute in Southwest Florida. Approved by the Sarasota County Commission through an unsolicited public-private partnership (PPP), the Manasota Beach Road Extension would cross floodplains and wetlands. Regional developer Pat Neal has described the project as an important connectivity and safety improvement. Local resident Kelly Bauman argues that it could benefit nearby development while shifting costs and environmental risks onto taxpayers and residents.

Kelly Bauman challenged the project’s Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) through the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), then withdrew her petition, citing an unworkable schedule. She has since appealed to Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal in Tampa. In this interview, Bauman explains her objections and the next steps in the dispute. 

PART I: FROM DOAH TO THE APPELLATE COURT

ER: Pat Neal has characterized the DOAH dismissal as a victory, saying the mitigation plan met the state’s public-interest requirements. How do you respond?

Bauman: There was no final evidentiary hearing and no ruling on the merits establishing that the project’s benefits outweighed its environmental impacts. Due to the denial of an extension, the county not providing discovery but deflecting to the Economic Stimulus Working Group, whose discovery was then due to me on the same day as my depositions, there was not equitable and reasonable time to prepare my final case. The case was dismissed without a judge hearing our evidence. Our concerns about flooding, drainage and wildlife were never adjudicated. That is not a decision against our facts; it means the case was never heard.

ER: Why did you decide to withdraw?

Bauman: It was agonizing, but I did not have the time needed to gather information or complete discovery. Proceeding with incomplete evidence would have meant presenting a distorted version of our case. I was also concerned about putting local residents and witnesses through depositions and intense scrutiny on such a compressed schedule. Withdrawing was the responsible choice and preserved our ability to continue challenging the project.

ER: What happens now that you have appealed?

Bauman: I submitted the appeal to the Second District Court of Appeal. The court must decide how to proceed, and we may face a motion to dismiss from the Southwest Florida Water Management District or Neal’s group. The court could also ask for clarification. If the case clears those procedural steps, I will have 70 days to prepare and submit my legal brief.

ER: Do you expect a different kind of legal process in Tampa?

Bauman: I believe the appellate court will focus on administrative law, due process and compliance with statutes. I found the DOAH process subjective, especially in some of the interactions and decisions around the schedule. I am not alleging wrongdoing by individual county commissioners, but I believe the appellate venue offers a more objective review of the legal questions.

PART II: KEYWAY ROAD AND THE PUBLICLY FUNDED ALTERNATIVE

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

THE DECOY ROAD AND THE KEYWAY ROAD OBLIGATION

ER: Why do you believe the Manasota Beach Road Extension is being advanced now, and what does it have to do with Keyway Road?

Bauman: When residents asked why the project was needed, Neal emphasized ‘connectivity,’ but I have not seen independent traffic studies or hard data that, in my view, answer the community’s questions. I believe the extension is also being promoted as beach access that could increase the appeal and value of nearby developments.

The central issue is Keyway Road. Under Sarasota County Ordinance 2022-095, Neal’s Boca Royale East development is required to build a connection to Keyway Road at the developer’s expense. The connection is mapped and, as I understand it, is a binding obligation. Building it would bring a major traffic connection near homes in Boca Royale that Neal is marketing. Company materials referenced a ‘Quit Keyway Committee’ made up of residents opposed to that connection.

The alternative now being promoted is the Manasota Beach Road Extension, which would use $15 million in public funds. In presentations to the County Commission, projected traffic was shown ‘without Keyway Road,’ even though the existing obligation had not yet been resolved. My concern is that a road the developer is obligated to build privately is being replaced by a taxpayer-funded project that his group proposed and would build.

ER: County transportation staff say Manasota Beach Road has long been on the thoroughfare plan, and that east-west connections are needed roughly every seven miles. Doesn’t that support the project?

Bauman: The road has appeared on a plan, but other planned roads have been removed when they no longer suited development interests. Gissinger Road, now Boca Royale Boulevard, is one example. In October 2025, Transportation Director Spencer Anderson reportedly acknowledged that development interests had helped get Gissinger Road removed from the county plan. That raises questions about how consistently the plan is applied.

The seven-mile argument also deserves scrutiny. The distance from Jacaranda to Indiana Avenue and River Road is already about 6.5 miles, according to the figures I have reviewed. Anderson also said the road ‘wasn’t a glimmer in anyone’s eye until it made developmental sense.’ I believe the county should explain why this particular route is being fast-tracked and why Keyway is being treated differently.:

Neal has also argued that Keyway would cost more because it would require four lanes, citing a 2025 report. But a two-lane road across wetlands, with a 150-foot right-of-way, would also carry significant costs. When Keyway’s removal was raised at the April 23, 2025, commission meeting, I did not hear commissioners or staff address the ordinance or the developer’s existing obligation.

PART III: WHO BENEFITS, AND WHO PAYS?

ER: Pat Neal has said none of his active communities are ‘on’ Manasota Beach Road and that he cannot imagine a benefit to his company. What is your response?

Bauman: The wording is narrow. A development may not have an address on the road but can still border it or sit nearby. Palmera borders the road to the northeast, and Wysteria, Avelina and Everly are also close to the proposed extension. Sales agents at Boca Royale East have reportedly marketed homes as being about five minutes from Manasota Beach via Manasota Beach Road, even though the extension has not been built.

If there were no benefits, why would Neal’s group bring the unsolicited PPP proposal to the county, seek $15 million in public funding and advocate removing Keyway? Those are questions the public deserves to have answered with documents and independent analysis, not just assurances.

ER: Who will maintain the stormwater facilities?

Bauman: The project’s environmental permit names the Sarasota National Community Development District (CDD) as responsible for maintaining the road’s stormwater ponds. A CDD is a special taxing district, so those costs can be covered through assessments on residents within the district. My concern is that long-term maintenance costs would be shifted to homeowners while the developer’s original Keyway obligation is avoided.

ER: Supporters say the extension will create a safe connection for students, walkers and cyclists. What concerns you about that claim?

Bauman: The plans show a 10-foot multi-use recreational trail extending from Wellen Park, but, as I read the plans, it ends at the back property line of Beach Walk rather than connecting safely all the way through. That could leave pedestrians and cyclists at a dead end. Neal also acknowledged that the remaining 1,200 feet to the west is constrained to two lanes because a previous developer did not preserve the necessary right-of-way. I worry the project could funnel users and traffic into a bottleneck.

PART IV: TRAFFIC ESTIMATES AND FLOODING
THE CONFUSED NUMBERS AND THE FLOODING RISK

              TRAFFIC EXPANSION FLOODGATE

   [ 5,500 Cars ] -> Current Baseline Claimed
   [ 9,000 Cars ] -> Peak Flow Estimate
   [ 21,280 Cars ] -> IMMEDIATELY ADDED CAPACITY CAPABILITY

   *Data Source: Stantec Engineering Docs / Developer Presentations (2025)

ER: Traffic projections appear to vary considerably. What numbers have you found?

Bauman: Neal has recently cited roughly 5,500 vehicles a day, or 9,000 during peak periods. But slides from his presentations to the commission on April 23 and August 27, 2025, say the extension would ‘immediately add capacity for 21,280 vehicles per day’ between State Road 776 and South River Road. Those figures describe very different levels of use. Residents need a clear explanation of what the estimates mean and how they were calculated, especially given the proposed 150-foot right-of-way and $15 million public cost.

ER: What are your main environmental concerns?

Bauman: The Environmental Resource Permit relies on an older foundational permit, and I do not believe the review adequately accounts for cumulative impacts from paving a road through an already stressed floodplain. Other commercial and residential developments could proceed once the extension is built, but I have not seen the combined drainage effects fully addressed.

Residents in and around Englewood could bear the consequences if drainage patterns change or flooding worsens. Some homeowners are not currently required by lenders to carry flood insurance. I want to know whether the developer or county will guarantee that nearby homes will not face greater flood risk, and what would happen if flood maps change and insurance becomes mandatory.

People are already worried about selling homes and about localized flooding. In my view, paving wetlands and adding development in a floodplain could threaten homes rather than solve the area’s infrastructure problems. These concerns should be assessed independently before construction begins.

PART V: PUBLIC OUTREACH AND NEIGHBOR NOTIFICATION

ER: Neal has said he held workshops, bus tours and house calls, and that organized opposition did not emerge until August 27, 2025. Is that accurate?

Bauman: The agreement between Sarasota County and Neal’s Economic Stimulus Working Group called for public workshops at both the 30% and 90% design phases. I say the 30% workshop was skipped and only one workshop took place at the 90% phase, when the engineering plans were already well developed.

On September 19, 2025, weeks after the commission voted to approve funding on August 27, the county emailed me that public involvement ‘will occur’ at the 30% and 90% design phases. That timing was confusing: the email described public participation as future work after the funding vote had already occurred.

ER: Were the homeowners directly along East Manasota Beach Road notified?

Bauman: To my knowledge, no homeowner on East Manasota Beach Road was notified or contacted by the county or Neal’s group before the controversy became public. Neal has said he knocked on doors but could not reach homes behind security gates, and he has referred to only six residents on the road. I count 27 residents with East Manasota Beach Road addresses who could be directly affected; eight live on the unpaved portion. Those families have maintained and graded that road at their own expense.

I believe outreach focused instead on Boca Royale residents concerned about Keyway and on Sarasota National residents, whose right-of-way was needed for the project. The project corridor is 2.06 miles long, and people along other parts of it should also have been contacted.

ER: When did residents first raise objections?

Bauman: There was a large gathering at Jacaranda Library on August 19, 2025, before the August 27 commission meeting. The room was so crowded that some people were turned away under fire-code limits. I did not attend because I had not been notified of the meeting. I also dispute the account that Neal had contacted Mary Beth Jones; she has stated publicly that he did not contact her.

When I spoke to Neal outside the commission chambers on August 27, he told me, ‘I know nothing about a road, the County hired me to build a MURT.’ He later called and left a voicemail. I returned the call, but we did not speak again.

PART VI: THE ROAD AHEAD

ER: There is also disagreement about ownership of the right-of-way. What is the issue?

Bauman: Neal’s statements have varied. At the April 23, 2025, meeting, he said the county owned the right-of-way except for one small section; by August 27, he said, ‘You own it.’ There is also a 1998 easement agreement that the county and developer have cited. My concern is that an old easement is being used to argue that residents cannot object to a major road extension. I believe the 2018 interlocal agreement between the county and Sarasota National is also important to understanding the project.

ER: What do you see as the fundamental flaw in the county’s handling of this deal?

Bauman: The project crosses wetlands, wildlife habitat and areas connected to several communities, yet it moved forward through an unsolicited PPP. My understanding is that this process required only one public hearing and a 14-day public-notice window. Public records also show Neal requested a ‘short review’ from county staff.

A project of this scale should be evaluated through a transparent process, with independent engineers and contractors who do not have financial ties to the developer. The public needs to understand the road’s costs, benefits, environmental consequences and alternatives. When the same group proposes and builds a project, the county must demonstrate clearly how conflicts of interest and public accountability are handled.

ER: What is your message to Englewood residents as the appeal moves forward?

Bauman: This effort is not over. Residents need the complete, unredacted data behind the proposal and an explanation of why Keyway Road was dropped. Before trees are removed or wetlands are paved, the county should answer those questions publicly and account for the possible long-term effects on traffic, drainage, wildlife and nearby homes.

We intend to pursue the legal and administrative options available to us. That work requires community participation and financial support. The people who will live with the project’s impacts deserve a meaningful voice in the decisions being made.

ER: Kelly, thank you for your time.

Bauman: Thank you.

How to get involved:
• Facebook action group: Oppose Manasota Beach Road Extension
• Community hotline: 941-500-9356
• Grassroots legal fund: GoFundMe, “Help Save Wetlands & Wildlife – Stop Pat Neal”

The post Oppose Manasota Beach Road Speaks Out: Kelly Bauman Responds to Developer’s Interview appeared first on Englewood Review.

Julie London, a Democratic party candidate, knows your County Commissioner should answer to you, not cater to wealthy donors or big developers. Raised in Sarasota, she’s dedicated her life to this community, representing District 4 as a staunch advocate for the people.

Julie started her fight for justice after a very personal blow. Her mother fell victim to Florida’s corrupt elder guardianship system, a system plagued by fraud and a total lack of due process. 

Julie refused to sit back. She stood up, not just for her mom, but for every vulnerable Floridian caught in the same web.

That fight brought Julie into partnership with the late Nancy Detert, a widely respected public servant who spent over twenty-five years championing Sarasota. The two joined forces, and their efforts didn’t just make headlines as they drove genuine change. Together, they pushed for the creation of the Office of Public and Professional Guardianships, a state agency built to crack down on the worst abuses: families being cut off, estates emptied, and elders drugged or isolated by unscrupulous guardians.

Through those battles, a genuine friendship grew. Senator Detert’s advice sticks with Julie to this day: “I work for the public. They’re my boss.” Julie carries those words into every corner of Sarasota County. She listens to people who feel left out, forgotten, or shut down by politicians who answer to lobbyists and corporate money. Julie is determined to be the voice that brings power back to the people.

The Englewood REVIEW interviewed Julie London to talk about her vision for the future, and what drives her to serve Sarasota County.

ER: You recently announced your campaign for Sarasota County Commission District 4 under the “Fedup. Ticket.” What was the exact tipping point that inspired you to run for office? And did your experience as a writer and blogger figure into this decision?

London: The exact tipping point was not seeing a candidate who would bring about any kind of real change that Sarasota needs. We’re all so fed up with the same kind of candidate and their rehearsed talking points. We’re exhausted from the optics of back-door deals and the people’s voices not being heard. It was time to bring in a real person who is one of them. When I decided to run, it didn’t even occur to me what a huge role the blog will bring to the next four years as a source of transparency and trust.

ER: “Fed up” is a powerful emotional state for voters. Can you articulate exactly what or who you are fed up with regarding the current Sarasota County Commission, and how your platform translates that frustration into actionable policy?

London: I don’t know how one can run for office and not immediately start to go to work. I spoke with the property appraiser‘s office about reducing the homestead tax exemption for cash-strapped seniors. It can be done. Who doesn’t want our older folks to stay in their own homes? I spoke with Jon Thaxton about everything from potable water to traffic to affordable housing. I’m not a bullsh**er. I’m backing my talk with doable ideas.

On the emotional level, I’m teed off at the way the public is being treated. Some members of the board completely have forgotten that ‘we, the people’ pay their salaries. 

ER: Much of your public commentary focused on the school board. Many expected you to run for a school board seat instead. Why did you ultimately decide that the County Commission was the place where you could make the biggest impact?

London: There was no way I was going to run for office. It wasn’t on my radar at all until I saw who else was running for commission. I’m thrilled to be giving Sarasotans who live in District 4 the opportunity to vote for a person who isn’t aligned with the building industry. It’s almost a joke. My opponent is related to Willis-Smith, huge donors to his campaign, who makes money from developers. I am truly the only choice for change. I’ll make the biggest impact because I don’t owe anyone anything. And because it’s been a one-party rule since 1966, I can call out when they’re protecting each other, not the people. 

ER: Who is Julie London? Our readers would like to know more about you, your family, and your background. It takes a special person with a unique brand of passion to run for office, especially in this climate. Are there any stories, people, or issues that inspire that passion and perseverance? 

London: It was undoubtedly the late Senator Nancy Detert who was an inspiration and showed me how listening to people, putting herself in their shoes, could make a difference. When I went to her with an elder guardianship issue, the first words out of her mouth were: “This could happen to me!”

I don’t like talking about me at all. This campaign isn’t about me – it’s about US. I have lived in Sarasota since 1969 and attended all the public schools. I became a community activist, beginning with adding a layer of laws to protect our most vulnerable seniors. I continue to this day to advocate for our seniors, but I’ve added public education to the loop. That happened due to the mess we were seeing happen at the school board meetings. I didn’t know that one blog would lead to thousands of readers monthly wanted to stay updated on Sarasota’s public school system. Now, I’ve added county news to the mix.

ER: Sarasota County has seen rapid population growth and intense real estate development over the last few years. How do you plan to balance economic development with preserving the environmental integrity and quality of life for current District 4 residents? This is an important issue for our readers.

London: We need to change “District 4” residents to all residents living in Sarasota County. We’re only as strong as our weakest link. If a developer can build a road through old Florida without residents getting due process in another district, it can happen to any district. If residents are showing proof of future flooding in District 1 due to road expansion, I’ll be on top of it. 

Honestly, our impact rates are so low, we need to slow the growth, so the taxpayer isn’t footing the billionaire developers’ bills. I’ll be asking a lot of questions. I believe two of the board members and I are on the same page in many ways, so the county will have a majority vote that works in the best interest of the people. 

ER: Many working-class families and young professionals are being priced out of Sarasota. What concrete legislative or zoning changes will you push for to ensure workforce housing is built, rather than just luxury developments?

We know that affordable housing, under the Live Local Act is not affordable. I spoke with Jon Thaxton about special zoning districts that would allow for tiny homes to be built. There’s a possibility of workforce housing for teachers and staff on empty school-owned properties. I’ve done a lot of research how affordable housing works in other states – and some we don’t want to emulate at all. It’s important that the individual counties maintain home rule. Only Sarasota knows what Sarasota wants and needs. 

ER: From water quality and red tide management to the preservation of local wetlands, environmental issues are vital to Sarasota. If elected, what would be your day-one environmental policy initiative?

London: I met with Brooke Bailey, with Sarasota Water Utilities, to learn about our water supply. It’s vital that the county purchase the Gulf Gate Golf Course, because the toxic poisons remaining could have a real impact on our bay if a developer is allowed to proceed building homes on the property. If it floods the neighborhoods, no one is safe. The runoff could most definitely hit Little Sarasota Bay.

ER: There is a growing sentiment among local voters that dark money and special interest groups hold too much sway over Sarasota politicians. What is your policy on accepting campaign contributions from developers and political action committees (PACs)?

London: My opponent took dark money from a Wyoming entity. He is all about the PAC money from the building industry. We’re a grassroots campaign and will hopefully show Sarasota, Florida, and the rest of the country that you don’t need to take these kinds of funds to WIN. Collecting money is the last thing on our minds. I want to put money BACK in the pocket of people, not take it. Speaking without a filter, what makes me sick is the payback my opponent is going to owe these big money donors. We are not obligated to any entity – other than the people. 

ER: If your campaign is built on the idea that the current local government is failing its citizens, how do you plan to restore public trust in the commission itself once you are sitting on the dais?

London: As we mentioned, I do write a blog. Transparency and follow-up are vital. I once joked that one of my favorite movies is “You’ve Got Mail” because I love to answer my emails. 

Through the blog, I hope to inform citizens of what’s happening, so they don’t have to sit through a long meeting. Everything has to be written within the Sunshine Laws, but it will give them yet another chance to be heard. It’s a two-way street for trust to happen, and that takes walking in the citizens’ shoes. That’s me. I’m not a politician. I’m not polished and I don’t ever want to be. I’ve always said – the people who are experiencing issues firsthand are the real experts, not the people sitting behind the dais. 

ER: As a commissioner, you will oversee a massive county budget. What areas of county spending do you think are currently wasteful, and where would you reallocate those taxpayer dollars?

London: I was one of the first people to speak out on the county’s stormwater management team taking on the burden of the city’s stormwater, including St. Armand’s. We’re in an interlocal agreement that doesn’t work / benefit either side. The county is losing money, and the city is unhappy with progress. This is exceedingly fixable and can turn into a win-win for everyone. I’ll say this, though – it’s my opinion that the county needs a new negotiator. We are getting our a**es kicked on these deals. 

ER: District 4 represents a diverse mix of neighborhoods and constituent needs. How do you plan to remain accessible to residents, and how will you ensure that neighborhood voices aren’t drowned out by commercial interests?

London: The diverse nature of the district was a concern for me as I drove around the entirety of District 4 for the first time. We have Casey Key and then rural Sarasota. I am all for small business, having been a small business owner. I want to protect and promote them. I’m already telling people that once I’m seated, I don’t want them to go away – because I will need to keep hearing them. I believe I will be among the most accessible county commissioner in history. 

ER: Transitioning from a writer who reports on public boards to an official who will draft policy, negotiate, and vote is a massive leap. What do you say to critics who argue you lack the administrative or legislative experience required to manage a county government?

London: I will not be drafting policy along with the board members without an attorney. None of us are lawyers. Good negotiation comes from asking the right questions. You keep asking, and common sense will prevail. 

Recently, there was an attempt by one of my opponent’s team members to infiltrate our campaign. I was shocked that they were playing checkers, while I was playing chess. I thought these experienced campaigners were supposed to be savvy. I have met with the county budget director, who informed me that there is nothing like a county budget. I met with various department heads and I’m a member of the Florida Association of County Commissioners. I’m so ahead of the curve that I find it exceedingly disappointing that anyone would think otherwise. This is what I have been told by people working in administrative areas. I happen to be the mix of people first and knowing my policy. I don’t have the ego to ask dumb questions. 

ER: If we sit down for an interview one year into your term as commissioner, what is the single biggest accomplishment you hope to point to that proves the “Fedup. ticket” was the right choice for Sarasota? 

London: As a writer, we do our due diligence. I’m not going to say, “I’d like to see this happen” but rather dig for ways to make it happen. We can lower the homestead tax exemption for cash-strapped seniors in unincorporated Sarasota. We can create a fabulous tiny home village – whether on extra school property or at an abandoned business or hotel site. 

I believe what the public will be most pleased about my performance in one year is a fearless voice asking the questions that will avoid rash and bad-decision making. I am truly the only candidate who will be the people’s choice for real change. 

Click here for more information on Julie London.

“As we lead up to the election, The Englewood REVIEW is reaching out to all local candidates to give them a forum to express their views.”

The post People Over Developers: Meet Sarasota County Commission Candidate District 4 Julie London appeared first on Englewood Review.

Gulf Pines Memorial Park sits at 2401 Englewood Road. The commission approved about 25.9 acres for expansion, all zoned for open-use estate purposes. By granting the special exception, county leaders said yes to new cemetery lots, funeral home space, and upgraded facilities.

This project fills a genuine need in the community. The old Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home used to operate on this site, but demolition crews demolished it in 2023. Now, local families in Englewood, Venice, North Port, and Port Charlotte will have a new funeral home, storage building, and expanded services, something folks here have been missing since the old funeral home closed.

The post Sarasota County Approves Englewood’s 26-Acre Expansion and New Funeral Home for Gulf Pines Memorial Park appeared first on Englewood Review.

This isn’t just another government filing or forgotten vote. With this move, the centuries-old Nokomis cattle ranch is now off-limits to urban developers, and a crucial stretch of wild land has a chance to stay wild. 

Some readers raised questions about the process, and they have a valid point. 

The Sarasota County Commission’s vote to add a property to the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program (ESLPP) list does not yet mean they have protected the land. It’s more a signal of intent rather than a legal guarantee.

Here’s what’s really going on with this vote. 

When the county puts a ranch on the ESLPP priority list, it’s marking that land as important and setting aside money to negotiate. They’re saying, “We want to keep this land safe from development.” But from there, it gets complicated.

Protecting big, privately owned pieces like the historic Hawkins Ranch usually means the county has to buy a conservation easement. The family stays on the land, keeps running the cattle ranch, but they legally agree not to sell to a developer or put up subdivisions.

And it costs serious money. Sarasota County can’t do it alone, so it partners with state and federal programs. The Florida Forever Plan and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program are of vital importance in this situation. Without those dollars, the county couldn’t make the deals work. The county pools its funds with state and federal grants to pay landowners.

Local funding depends on property taxes set aside for these projects. None of this happens in a vacuum. If voters say no to upcoming referendums, or if state and federal grants dry up, the county can’t protect as much land as it hopes. 

The bottom line is that the future of these efforts hangs on both public support and outside funding.

Still, the work’s not done. If you care about the future of these lands, you have three ways to help:

1. Push for state and federal recognition. Support measures like the Myakka Wild and Scenic River Act of 2025/2026, which strengthens protections for the area’s watershed.

2. Team up with local groups, such as the Myakka River Partnership. Get hands-on with advocacy, land monitoring, and outreach.

3. And if you own property in the region, check out voluntary programs like the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. It’s a partnership that helps landowners keep working lands just that, free from development.

It’s a big step, and the future of this wild space depends on people staying involved.

The post Unlocking the Hawkins Ranch Deal: Why Sarasota County Protected 3,300 Acres and How Residents Can Get Involved appeared first on Englewood Review.

Why does this matter? Stopping urban sprawl, for starters. This ranch holds the line on the last piece of untouched land between Myakka River State Park and the county’s growing eastern midsection. The protection helps keep the Myakka River Watershed clean, too, because less sprawl means less runoff.

The site isn’t just any patch of land, as it’s a slice of “Old Florida.” This ranch has been in operation since the late 1800s, and preserving it keeps that legacy alive. The land serves as a critical habitat for wildlife. Protecting Hawkins Ranch expands the county’s web of wild spaces that bald eagles, Florida scrub-jays, river otters, and other threatened animals rely on.

The commission’s decision doesn’t just save a ranch. It keeps history, water, and wildlife intact for years to come.

The post Sarasota County Protects 3,300-Acre Hawkins Ranch from Developers appeared first on Englewood Review.

This decision means the development stretches from about 2.8 to nearly 3.8 acres. It also bumps the number of planned residential villas up from 12 to 20. The plan keeps the previously approved 10,000-square-foot waterfront restaurant and introduces boat docks.

Not everyone’s happy about this. Supporters showed up at the meeting ready to make their case. They talked about new life on Dearborn Street, more business, steady tourism, and economic growth. Local entrepreneurs say it’s a chance to draw people year-round, not just when there’s pleasant weather.

Opponents packed in too. They worried about what this would do to Dearborn Street’s historic feel. Concerns circled around more cars, tighter parking, and bigger environmental footprints. Some residents asked whether the bigger project even fits with the surrounding community at all.

In the end, commissioners moved the project forward. But it’s not fully home-free, as Buchan’s Bayside still has to clear more development reviews and permitting hoops before construction kicks off. The debate isn’t over, but the expansion is officially underway.

The post Sarasota County Approves Expansion of Englewood’s Buchan’s Bayside Project appeared first on Englewood Review.

This project used to be known as Buchan’s Landing on Dearborn Street, and it’s drawn plenty of attention from residents and local civic groups. People worry changes requested by the developer could chip away at longstanding commercial dock restrictions, and possibly shift the historic, mixed-use vibe of Old Englewood Village. Others feel the development will be good for business, for the Englewood community, and for Dearborn. 

This meeting is the first of a two-day session; the commission will go into recess on July 9. If you’re following the proceedings, you can always catch the commission meetings live or later on the Sarasota County Government Meetings on Demand portal.

The big update about Buchan’s Bayside: the property owner is pushing for new changes at the lot by Dearborn and Olde Englewood Road. While some protest signs have disappeared from the property, the public hearing is still on for July 8 at 9 a.m. and they expect a large turnout.

Here’s what’s officially on the agenda for public hearings and presentations:

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES:

A. (Public hearing) To adopt Ordinance No. 2025-034, approving Small Area Comprehensive Plan Amendment No. 2025-02 on approximately 2.3 acres for property located south of West Dearborn Street, east of Old Englewood Road, southwest of West Green Street, Englewood, from Moderate Density Residential to Commercial Center – Englewood Town Center;

B. (Public hearing) To adopt Ordinance No. 2025-035, approving Critical Area Plan Amendment No. 95-01-SP-2025 to amend the definition of Mixed-Use Development to clarify that Mixed-Use Development shall be defined as mixed-use buildings, or a combination of residential buildings and/or lots and non-residential buildings and/or lots in a Unified Development at the time of application;

C. (Not a public hearing) Land Development Regulation Commission to find Ordinance No. 2025-035 to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. (Must be done prior to the adoption of B.);

D. (Public hearing) To adopt Ordinance No. 2025-036, approving Rezone Petition No. 25-04 on approximately 3.4 acres for property located south of West Dearborn Street, east of Old Englewood Road, southwest of West Green Street, Englewood, from CG/MSOD with stipulations, RSF-3, and RSF-3/RCTOD to CG/MSOD zone district with amended stipulations;

E. (Public hearing) To adopt a Resolution approving Special Exception Petition No. 1911 to allow 1) freestanding residential buildings and lots in the CG/MSOD zone district, 2) commercial parking (valet) on approximately 0.33 acres located at 51 Old Englewood Road, Englewood in the RMF-1/RCTOD zone district, and 3) structures, uses, and boat slips abutting and within the MP zone district and adjoining upland areas in the CG/MSOD zone district.

Finally, the meeting wraps up with an “Open to the Public” segment, where anyone can speak for up to three minutes about issues not already on the agenda. If you want to share your thoughts, just fill out a Request to Speak card before your turn.

Click here for the link to Sarasota County Government, Meeting Agenda for July 8, 2026.

The post Sarasota County to Debate Controversial Buchan’s Bayside Dock Rules on July 8 and 9 appeared first on Englewood Review.

This is a big step. For months, Kelly and her group have protested with signs. Kelly filed a petition for an administrative hearing, taking on some powerful interests to force transparency and stand up for her community.

The Englewood REVIEW sat down with Kelly to make sense of the process, talk about what’s happening now, and to see what’s next.

First off, there’s an Order Granting Petition to Intervene. What does that mean?

“The Economic Stimulus Working Group’s attorney represents Pat Neal, who’s the sole member of ESWG. That group is responsible for this piece of the project, so they asked to intervene since this directly affects them on several fronts.”

Are there any hearings or events before September?

“The official hearings are set for September. I have a lot to do before then: preparing witnesses, gathering evidence, and submitting everything before we go to court.”

What do you expect in September? What would be a win?

“A win means no permit, no road. But more than that, I want to show how badly these developments are hurting people who already live here. Sarasota County keeps doing the bare minimum. They make decisions for new residents and more tax money, leaving the rest of us with the fallout. It’s infuriating. More development doesn’t mean better when it keeps making life worse for people already here.”

People keep saying the road is a “done deal.” What is your response?

“It frustrates me, especially when it’s family or friends. Instead of ‘good luck, you can do it,’ they just assume it’s over. But I’m not just complaining. There are real problems with this project. Last year, I told Spencer Anderson, ‘I’ll leave no stone unturned.’ This is about our livelihood, our quality of life for everyone. The wildlife, the barrier island beach is supposed to be protected, not jammed with 21,000 cars a day. My house is set back, so I’m not as directly affected as some, but this fight matters for all of us.”

What happens next? Walk us through the process.

“I’m doing all this pro se, on my own, so it’s not like I’m running a big legal operation. I might have someone with me at the hearing, but that’s not set. Right now, I’m focused on witnesses and evidence, lots of homework since I’ve never done anything like this before.”

How can people help?

“We’re holding a rally Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Manasota Beach Road and 776. Park at the retention pond, and if you can’t walk, we’ll get you there. Or just honk when you pass! Keep showing up to meetings, too. The next County Commissioner meetings are July 7th and 8th. Once the agendas are out, we’ll decide which one to attend.”

For information on this rally, click here.

Big picture, what can the community do to stop overbuilding like this in the future?

“Get involved and stay involved. It’s a lot of work—much more than I ever thought I’d do—but if not you, then who? Hold the commissioners accountable. Try to learn how the process works: public hearings, planning meetings. If nobody shows up, they won’t think about you at all.”

“I don’t like using the word ‘corruption,’ but a lot of legal things happening here still hurt us. Commissioners push through new codes and higher densities without caring about the impact. It’s obvious who’s ‘grandstanding’ for the developers. It makes you sick. Are there shady deals? Maybe, but ‘by your fruits you will know them.’ If the community keeps showing up, maybe they’ll see these projects as personal. Push for the commissioners to come to your street when a project’s being proposed. Make them remember you’re there. File public records requests. Let them know you’re watching and expect real representation.”

Kelly says, “Just because they can doesn’t mean they should. Commissioners like to say their hands are tied, but if they see favoritism or conflicts of interest, like the rest of us do, maybe it’ll force better decisions.”

Click here for more information on Oppose Manasota Beach Rd.

The Englewood REVIEW will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they happen.

The post Part 2: The $15 Million Roadblock—Local Activists Secure Major Victory Over Manasota Beach Extension appeared first on Englewood Review.

For the members of “Oppose Manasota Beach Road,” it’s been a whirlwind of a week. Englewood REVIEW reported earlier on Kelly Bauman’s legal action pushing back against the Manasota Beach Road extension, and since then, the group has been busy making its voice heard. Between public meetings and sidewalk protests, they made sure everyone heard what they had to say.

On Tuesday, June 16, Sarasota County opened its meeting to public comments on the $15 million Manasota Beach Road Extension Project. The county slipped this into its budget agenda, and neighbors wasted no time showing up. Their primary concern: flooding. This area already fills up with water when it storms, and a lot of residents worry this project will just make things worse.

The group “Oppose Manasota Beach Road” has been fighting since February. Kelly Bauman recently took the fight a step further, filing for a formal administrative hearing with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The district decided her case deserves attention, so now it’s heading to a state hearing officer.

“We weren’t warned, we weren’t contacted—we found out about this project late in the game,” Bauman told the crowd, encouraging more people to speak up during these meetings.

More residents have been confronting the developers. Many fear not just the flooding but the bigger changes new development might bring. “Developers want to sell houses with direct beach access,” Bauman pointed out. “If we’d known about this sooner, we’d have been there from the start.”

Now, the group’s urging county commissioners to see the site themselves before they lock in any decisions. “Come look with your own eyes,” Bauman says. “Walk the land before you make a call you can’t take back.” She tells neighbors, “Your voice matters. You’re the ones at stake. Don’t let three minutes at a microphone be your only shot.”

During Tuesday’s meeting, members read aloud the Englewood REVIEW article to make sure their frustration was on the record. Here is a video of the reading of the article at the meeting.

The county’s attorney, David Pearce, filed a motion to dismiss Bauman’s petition, something Bauman describes as routine. “They spent a lot of your money on this,” she said, pointing out that multiple lawyers joined the call to shut down a single citizen’s concerns about flooding and wetlands. 

While that legal wrangling was already swirling, the group wasn’t just locked in paperwork. On Wednesday, June 17, they gathered for a demonstration at the corner of Manasota Beach Road. Signs, chants, conversations; one hour making it clear they’re not standing down.

No one’s pretending it’s easy. Many claim the road is inevitable and progress is unstoppable. Others just want transparency, environmental protection, and a voice in the process. 

As for Kelly Bauman, she’s honest about feeling the weight of the moment: “This is bigger than me. I put it in God’s hands and try to do the right thing.” She admits the stress is real, but says faith keeps her steady. “I just want to see justice for the community and to stop this road.”

Click here for the “Oppose Manasota Beach Rd.” Facebook page.

The post Drawing the Line: Residents Take Action to Halt the Manasota Beach Road Extension appeared first on Englewood Review.

The team behind Wellen Park wants to shift most of this 3,000-acre property out of its current rural status and into a moderate-density zone. Right now, the land sits in unincorporated Sarasota County, but that could change soon. They’re looking to build roughly 9,000 homes there.

This property, once part of the Taylor Ranch, sits just off South River Road near the Winchester Boulevard intersection. Back in 2002, North Port annexed most of Taylor Ranch, and over the years, it’s grown into the 9,000-acre Wellen Park community.

Winchester Florida Ranch, LLLP, is pushing for the zoning change, with plans to fold Winchester Ranch into North Port before breaking ground. City officials say they’re ready to handle water and sewer service and plan to beef up fire and police coverage as the area grows.

The Sarasota County Planning Committee already reviewed the proposal in December and gave it the green light, recommending commissioners approve the changes. The Planning Commission voted 7-1 in favor, with board member Jon Thaxton, the only dissenter, voicing his concerns.

During the meeting, developer attorney Bill Merrill argued that this move fits Sarasota County’s Comprehensive Plan for the area, calling the project “infill development.” Not everyone agreed. Several residents pushed back.

Amy Hibberd, a local realtor, questioned the need for even more homes. “Are we approving another pointless development with no buyers?” she said. “Look it up. People are leaving.”

The post Sarasota County to Vote on Massive 9,000-Home Winchester Ranch Development appeared first on Englewood Review.