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.
YOUR DONATION MATTERS
The Venetian Community Association (“CA”) is pleased to announce the launch of a donations option, conveniently available on its website, Membership and Donations
Why donations?
The CA provides Venetian residents with valuable services, such as educational seminars, the Hurricane Response Team, the Venetian’s most informative website, and the monthly newsletter, Parcels from Paradise. However, recent increases in operating costs have threatened our ability to continue or improve these important programs. Many residents have expressed a willingness to help reverse this financial trend by contributing a little extra, and now there’s a simple way to do just that.
How you can help — Visit the Membership & Donations page on our website.
There you’ll find familiar methods for paying dues and checking your membership, but with new options to make donations of any amount, either along with your dues or at any time you choose.
Payment can be made online by credit card or PayPal, or by downloading and printing the Membership form and mailing it with your check.
Although we will gratefully accept and acknowledge all donations, we kindly suggest annual giving levels of $50 (Gold) and $100 (Platinum). We will acknowledge these donors by annually publishing their names in Parcels, although donors may choose an option to remain anonymous.
We are thankful for the support the Venetian community has shown the CA over the years. The CA intends to show that YOUR DONATION MATTERS by not only continuing existing efforts, but also by offering new and creative programs. Please join us in this effort to make living at the Venetian more stimulating and engaging than ever!
With appreciation and best wishes, your Community Association Co-Presidents
Tom Jones and Mark Faford
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.
Avoid Expensive Water Bills with Eye On Water
Have you ever discovered a running toilet after it cost you hundreds of dollars? You’re not alone — and the City of Venice has made it easier to prevent this from happening again.
The solution is Eye On Water, a free app available on either the App Store or the Google Play Store. Once registered, you will be able to see your water usage. That capability is available on your computer as well at eyeonwater.com. Once you register using your name, address, and water account number, you’ll be able to monitor your water usage daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly. Most importantly, you can set up leak alerts to catch problems early — before they become costly.
There are over 17,000 water meters within the city limits, and each one communicates directly with the city. If a flow above the alert you choose (such as one gallon per hour) is detected for every hour over a 24-hour period, the system can detect it and send you an alert — making this tool especially valuable for part-time residents who aren’t always around to spot issues and who don’t wish to shut their water off when away for an extended period. It appears you can set alerts for less than one gallon per hour if desired.
The Community Association is happy to help you get started — just contact us at vgrccaweb@gmail.com.
Or you can watch a video on how to install the app here. See comprehensive instructions here.
City of Venice Newsletter for September 2025
Please enjoy the September edition of the Venice City E-News by clicking on this image or the link below. Navigate the City’s e-newsletter by using the left and right arrows on your keyboard, or flip to the next page by using the arrows on the viewing screen. Explore additional resources and information by clicking on hyperlinks. Click here for the website location September 2025 Newsletter.
Community Association Board Meeting to be held Monday, September 15th
The next VGRC Community Association Board meeting will be held at the River Club on Monday, September 15th at 10 am. Residents are welcome to give their views!