Public meeting for variance petition regarding front yard setbacks in Sarasota.

Notice is hereby given that a public meeting will be held before the Board of Adjustment of the City of Sarasota on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers, 1565 First Street, Sarasota, on the following:
Variance Petition No. 26-VAR-02. Joe Medred, on behalf of Cathy Layton and Stephen Russell, property owners, propose two variances to reduce the required front yard setback on two of three front yards located along Southwest Drive and South Lodge Drive. Pursuant to Section VI-102(m), in the case of corner lots in residential districts, a front yard of the required depth shall be provided on one frontage, and a front yard of no less than 20 feet shall be provided on the other. Pursuant to Table VI-203 of the Zoning Code, the minimum front setback for the Residential Single Family 1 (RSF-1) Zone District is 30 feet. The subject property includes three front yards and therefore is required to provide a minimum 30-foot setback on two frontages and a front setback of no less than 20 feet on the third frontage. The Applicant is requesting a reduction of the required front setback from 30 feet on South Lodge Drive to 20 feet, for a total variance request of 10 feet, and a reduction of the required front setback from 20 feet on Southwest Drive to 12 feet, for a total variance request of 8 feet. Address: 1585 South Drive. Zoning Code Table: VI-203. Legal Description: On file in the Zoning Division of the Development Services Department, City of Sarasota. Zone District: RSF-1 (Residential Single Family  1). Joe Medred, on behalf of Cathy Layton and Stephen Russell, property owners.
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: February 6, 2026
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