It’s an age-old clash of opinion—where should land be developed to foster new housing and commercial opportunities, and where should it be left alone?
On the one hand, housing inventory in Sarasota is extremely low. Buyers are having a hard time finding a place to call home, and the ones that do typically find themselves in a multiple-offer situation that makes closing extremely competitive.
Related: Here are 5 tips to help you find a new home in 2021.
On the other hand, much of what makes Sarasota so special is the stunning diversity of landscapes that stretch from the Eastern side of I-75 all the way to the powder white beaches of Siesta Key.
Now consider that Sarasota ranks among the top destinations for Americans who moved out of state in 2021, and it’s easy to see why there’s such a strong sentiment for more housing options in the area.
At least, that’s how Sarasota County commissioners feel. In early June, all voted unanimously to approve an allowable density amendment for a 1,200 acre portion of Hi Hat Ranch, clearing the way for a new mixed-use development of residential and commercial spaces.
Elaborating on their decision, Commissioner Nancy Detert explains “I’m surprised that [Hi Hat Ranch] has been bare as long as it has. But if you own land from Fruitville to Clark Road, something is going to be [built] on that, and the build-out is from now until 2056. A lot will happen from now until then.”
“We’ve really tried very hard to seek community input,” says James Turner, a landowner of Hi Hat Ranch who has helped to shepherd the project through. “And the plan has changed a good bit because of that input for the better.”
Thanks to this recent amendment, the Master Plan may now include the following:
- Up to 13,000 residences
- Up to 450,000 square feet of new commercial business spaces
- New school facilities, including High School and a K-8 School
- A new regional sports complex
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