+ Dock construction Putting in the past a legal fight over who owns right of way between Avenida Del Norte and property between the road and the Grand Canal, the County Commission Sept. 27 approved requests for two single-family docks. The commission also said it no longer needed staff to spend time presenting details on future requests for docks in that area of the Key.
October + Third time’s the charm? Village property owner Chris Brown Oct. 4 filed his third lawsuit against Sarasota County, this one also dealing with parking assessment issues. The new complaint says the county didn’t even wait four months after paying him $2,500 to settle a Jan. 31 lawsuit over excessive parking fees before it sent him a TRIM notice with big spikes in assessments for three of his properties in 2011. Brown alleged in the suit that the latest action, on top of problems going back to 2007, shows a pattern of discrimination against him.
A dispute over beach property rights involving parcels on North Beach Road led the County Attorney’s Office to reaffirm that any land above the Mean High Water Line is private property. Only land on the water side of that line is public property. Therefore, a person who had posted “For Sale” and “No Trespassing” signs above the Mean High Water Line was within his rights, contrary to views of some of his neighbors.
+ Some help from FDOT Although a contractor began working Aug. 1 to clean up Palmer Point Park on the north end of Casey Key, the contractor ran into problems with two different neighborhoods opposing his plan to truck out materials being dredged up from Roberts Bay in the restoration of the park. County officials obtained a permit from the Florida Department of Transportation that would allow the contractor to use its right of way on the mainland side of the north Siesta bridge, to offload the material from barges and truck it away to the contractor’s property in Palmetto. As of Oct. 31, the county still was awaiting a permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to proceed with that plan. County officials nonetheless were excited about the project, as it would be the first in the county to restore an island created by spoil material from the construction of the Intracoastal Waterway.
+ Fence finagling County officials and Key representatives, along with Commission Chairwoman Nora Patterson, finally settled on a wrought-iron fence to
Tennis anyone, any time? Contrary to rumors, county officials affirmed that tennis courts will be available at all times once construction of Siesta Public Beach improvements begin. A county staff member said the old courts would not be demolished until after new ones were built. A person or persons had posted a sign on the courts to indicate the county was closing them once the construction began. Project Manager Curtis Smith went to the Key to talk with residents and reassure them about the inaccuracy of the information on the sign. replace the damaged wooden fence at the Treasure Boat Way intersection on Ocean Boulevard. However, a contractor’s supply problems prevented the new fence from going in before Halloween, as Siesta Key Village Association members had requested, to protect children during the Safe Treats event. The contractor erected a temporary wooden fence for safety measures until the new fence materials were available. At last report, county staff hoped that wrought-iron fence would go in before the end of November.
+ Beach Road traffic The Sarasota County Commission Oct. 25 voted unanimously to lower the speed limit on Beach Road between the Village and Midnight Pass Road from 35 mph to 30 mph, at the request of the Siesta Key Condominium Association. New signs were expected before the end of the year.
ar
B
In response to the negative comments on the county’s brown-andwhite No. 1 beach signs at Sarasota County Area Transit stops near the Key, county staff decided to assemble a stakeholders group to work on new signage. The County Commission Sept. 13 asked Interim County Administrator Terry Lewis to coordinate that redesign with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce and other major organizations representing businesses.
Serving “Key” People Since 1949
& Packa
6519 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key
941-349-1311
Full service bar & drive thru package window
(Located on south side of building). Free hot dogs steamed in Sauerkraut ready at noon every Saturday!!! Open 7 days a week ~ 365 days a year 10:00 A.M. ~ 2:30 A.M. Weekly Sunday 12 noon ~ 2:30 A.M. 62103
62103
+ New beach sign, please + His, theirs and ours
7B
Fresh Seafood Tapas Specials Peruvian Specialties
Peruvian American Cuisine South American Tapas
American Favorites
941.349.1792
Seasonal Specials
6621 Midnight Pass Road in Crescent Plaza Open 5:00 – 9:00 pm Tuesday – Saturday
www.JaviersRestaurant.com Four Course Tapas Dinner $24.00 or Sunset Special 20% off when seated by 5:45 pm
Vegetarian Dishes Gluten Free Choices Select Wine & Beer Takeout & Catering Internet Specials Local, Organic Sustainable
61681
YourObserver.com
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011
ge
PELICAN PRESS
GRAND OPENING November 11
and the
Waterfront Tiki Bar 68125
Local Fresh Fish and Shellfish
Dinner Special
6641 Midnight Pass Rd • Siesta Key • Crescent Plaza • 941-554-8101 • Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-7pm
Casual Waterfront Dining
C e h Fresh local tT
A e tM
e e M
FREE
! k e e r
Bottle of Wine with purchase of two dinner entrees.
seafood served in a casual atmosphere. IT’S A SARASOTA TRADITION!
Not valid with Early Bird pricing or baskets. 1 bottle per table.
LIVE the MUSIC at TIkI Bar rday Every Satu ay and Sund
Broiled • Steamed • Baked Blackened Grilled • Cajun • Combo Pots • Fresh Seafood Platters • Seafood Pasta • Chicken Steaks • Soups & Salads
www.creekseafood.com
Fabulous Food, Moderately Priced WATERFRONT SEAFOOD GRILL
“Old Florida At Its BEST”
60742
(941) 925-4444
5353 S. Tamiami Tr., Sarasota Sun.–Thur. 11am–10pm • Fri.–Sat. 11am–10:30pm
68335
Exp. 11-17-11
Must present coupon
E DOCKAG MARKER
COME BY LAND OR SEA 801 Blackburn Pt. Rd. in Osprey (3 mi. south of Sarasota Square Mall)
966-1901