Support local businesses and shop fresh by making a habit of visiting the Venice Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Click here for FAQ and also the map of the vendors. The location is in the parking lot behind City Hall at 401 West Venice Ave. The market is open year round.
Category: Uncategorized
City Council Rejects Neal Plan
During an Executive Session of the Venice City Council on August 26, a modest victory was achieved for the residents of North Venice. In a previous session held earlier this year, the proposal to increase the density within the Visteria* community was discussed and ultimately rejected.
Subsequently, the City’s General Counsel engaged a Special Counsel, Mark Bentley, to draft a Mediation Settlement Agreement that would be mutually acceptable to both the City Council and Mr. Neal.
The outcome of the Mediation Agreement was complex and resulted in a 4-3 decision to reject the plan. The primary concern raised in the agreement was related to the requested 65 ft building height variance, rather than density. The agreement stipulated that either the height variance would be accepted, or the agreement would become null and void.
The recent City Council decision effectively prevents Mr. Neal from constructing a 65’ high building as well as increasing the population density of the Visteria* property.
*Community being built further west along Laurel Road
The numbers within the various communities are the total number of residences built, under construction or planned.
Laurel Road Widening Project Update
The Laurel Road Widening Project is progressing with several critical path items being completed:
The project, which includes a four-way intersection at Veneto and Laurel, has been fully completed and has received final approval from Sarasota County and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
The County is moving forward with the purchase of the remaining Right of Way (ROW) and if needed will initiate eminent domain proceedings on any outstanding land parcels.
The County has submitted Requests for Proposals (RFPs) from subcontractors but cannot award bids until the ROW is completed.
Construction on the road is still scheduled to commence in late 2025, but the final timing is contingent upon the completion of the ROW.
Home Depot may be coming to Venice
According to the August 21st edition of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, the Home Depot will be located near a planned Walmart expected on Laurel Road across from the Laurel-Nokomis School.
Flood and Evacuation Zones
Click on the maps for flood and evacuation levels. Click HERE for additional hurricane-related information.