Notice is hereby given that a public meeting will be held before the Board of Adjustment of the City of Sarasota on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota, on the following:
Variance Petition No. 26-VAN-04. Stephen D. Rees, Jr., on behalf of Sarasota 500 LLC, property owner, proposes two variances to allow for an accessory structure to be taller than the principal building and to allow an accessory structure to exceed the maximum height of the zone district. Pursuant to Table VI-603 of the Zoning Code, the maximum height for the Commercial Intensive (CI) zone district is 45 feet. The applicant is requesting to exceed the maximum height for an accessory structure from the permitted 45 feet to 150 feet, for a total variance request of 105 feet. Additionally, Zoning Code Section VII-904(8) requires that accessory structures not exceed the height of the principal building. The second request would allow the accessory structure to exceed the height of the principal building by 128 feet 8 inches. These requests would allow for the relocation and installation of a flagpole on the property. Address: 707 South Washington Boulevard). Zoning Code Sections: Table VI-603 and Section VII-904(8). Legal Description: On file in the Development Services Department, City of Sarasota. Zone District: CI (Commercial Intensive). Stephen D. Rees, Jr., on behalf of Sarasota 500 LLC, property owner.
This is a public hearing; therefore, all interested persons will be entitled to personally testify at the hearing or to submit documents or letters.
Persons granted status as an Affected Person by the Board of Adjustment will additionally be allowed to present the sworn testimony of other witnesses, relevant exhibits and other documentary evidence and to cross-examine witnesses. In order to qualify as an Affected Person, a person who may be adversely affected by the action of the Board of Adjustment must file a Request for Affected Person Status form with the Office of the City Auditor and Clerk or the Zoning Office at least five (5) working days prior to the quasi-judicial hearing. The Request for Affected Person Status form is available at the Office of the City Auditor and Clerk, 1565 First Street, Sarasota, Florida, telephone number (941) 263-6457 or the Zoning Office, 1575 Second Street, Sarasota, Florida, telephone number (941) 263-6432.
If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board, agency, or commission with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. If you wish to have a verbatim transcript made, it is your responsibility to make arrangements for a reporter to be present at your expense. Copies of the electronic recording may be purchased from the Office of the City Auditor and Clerk.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in such public hearing should contact the Zoning Office at (941) 263-6432 at least two (2) business days prior to the date of the public hearing as to the nature of the aid and/or service desired. Reasonable auxiliary aids and services will be made available to qualified disabled individuals to the extent that no undue financial or administrative burden results. For the benefit of individuals utilizing hearing aids with a T-coil, the City Commission Chambers and SRQ Media Studio are outfitted with a Hearing Induction Loop for enhanced hearing assistance.
By: Alison Christie, AICP, General Manager, Development Services
Board of Adjustment of the City of Sarasota
Legal Date: May 15, 2026
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