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Happy New Year!
AN OBSERVER NEWSPAPER
FREE • THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013
WISH LISTS
Key people sound off on their hopes for the town. PAGES 4-10A
OUR TOWN
development
BLACK TIE
DEAR SANTA
See our favorite standout photos from the past year. INSIDE
Sarasota students share their letters for the North Pole. PAGE 18A
by David Conway | News Editor
Rosemary explores higher density The proposed Rosemary Residential Overlay District would allow for higher-density housing developments in the area, which the city believes will spur much-anticipated growth.
Courtesy from Temple Emanu-El
Allison Kramer and Rachel Towe knead their challah dough.
Proponents of increased density in the Rosemary District may get their wish next year, because the city has begun to consider a proposal that would allow developments in the neighborhood to establish more housing units. The proposed Rosemary Residential Overlay District, discussed at a Dec. 18 Development
Review Committee meeting, would not increase the overall number of dwelling units in the area. Although the district would still have a maximum of 25 housing units per acre on average, individual developments would be allowed to have up to 75 units per acre. The proposal for higher den-
sity came almost a year after a city meeting at which business and property owners suggested raising the density limits in the Rosemary District to attract redevelopment. Since then, under the guidance of City Manager Tom Barwin, the city has been weighing that as an option for sparking activity in the area.
The impetus for the overlay district didn’t come from the city, though. Rosalyne Holdings LLC is planning on developing apartments on 6.2 acres in the Rosemary District. The property, which sits on Cocoanut Avenue between Boulevard of the
SEE ROSEMARY / PAGE 14A
+ Happy Challah-Days! Temple Emanu-El teenagers baked challah together, Sunday, Dec. 15. The day, named “Challah-Day,” had everyone, including Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman, measuring, pouring mixing and kneading. While they waited for their loaves of dough to rise, the teens met with Rabbi Brenner Glickman to learn about Shabbat and what a day of rest and holiness means to teenagers today. Afterward, everyone braided their challah to take home and share with their families.
TREE TOPPERS
+ Submissions How are you spending your holidays and New Year’s Eve? Send in your favorite holiday moments to be included in our Jan. 9 issue. To submit your festive photos, email rdonahue@yourobserver.com with names of people in the photo and a brief description of the event. Harriet Sokmensuer
Shirley Matchett and Debby Frederick wear homemade Christmas hats at the Sandy Claws Beach Run Dec. 14. With bells on their shoes, runners ran down Siesta Beach. Participants included beginners and experienced runners of all ages. After the one-mile and 5K races, everyone enjoyed the sunny morning at the award ceremony and healthy snacks. Fore more photos, visit yourobserver.com.
STATION TO STATION
by David Conway | News Editor
Lift station update highlights design details Todd Craven conducted the singalong.
+ Do-Re-Mi The Church of the Redeemer held its annual Messiah Singalong Sunday, Dec. 15. The messiah is it in 24th year and was in honor of Dr. Daniel Moe. Attendees included new and familiar faces.
SEE OUR TOWN / PAGE 12A
The new engineering team for the troubled project said it has developed plans that will avoid problems the prior engineers could not surmount. McKim & Creed, the engineering team hired in August to complete the oft-delayed Lift Station 87 project, assured residents at a meeting Dec. 18 that it will be able to finally finish the job. For the past three months, Mc-
Kim & Creed has been conducting research to determine how to proceed with the project, which was originally supposed to be completed by 2011. Project Manager Robert Garland, vice president at McKim & Creed, said the
firm is now confident in its ability to successfully design and carry out a plan to get Lift Station 87 up and running. The plan involves a combination of open-cut and microtunneling techniques to install
underground pipes that will divert sewage from Lift Station 7, located at 935 Pomelo Ave. near the Hudson Bayou, to the new lift station at 1900 Mound St., in Luke Wood Park. After consulting with the city, McKim & Creed is also recommending improvements along
SEE STATION / PAGE 4A
INDEX Opinion.................8A Classifieds ........ 26A
Cops Corner....... 12A Crossword.......... 25A
Neighborhood.... 18A Real Estate........ 22A
Sports................ 15A Vol. 44, No. 22 | Three sections YourObserver.com Weather............. 25A