City Leg Team Members
- Jim Ludwig, Chair (CCNA 1st Vice President)
- Leslie Spangler (Area C Director)
- Daniel Frank (Secretary)
- Ron Kashden (Laurel Park)
Past members included:
- Joanne Gonet (as 2nd Vice President)
- Norm Dumaine (as District Rep, Glen Oak Estates)
- Lou Costa (as Past President)
- Ron Collins (Granada)
- Eileen Normile (as District Rep)
- David Morriss (IBSSA)
- Carl Shoffstall (as Past President)
2025 Action Items:
- Membership Meeting Presentation – 9/6/2025: Leslie, Daniel and Jim presented to the entire CCNA membership the request sent to the Commissioners on July 31st. Presentation Slides Meeting Video
- After previously meeting with City Commissioners, on July 31, 2025, formally requested the City Commissioners to ask the City Manager to assign staff to work with the committee and other relevant parties to develop objective compatibility standards, modeled after the Oklahoma City plan, for integration into the development review process. These criteria should be formally established, codified, and include a Design Review Committee sign-off to promote consistency and minimize conflicts between existing property owners and developers. Meaningful Neighborhood Input in the Development Process
- In March 2025, Lucia announced the beginning of the project. On April 14, 2025, she led a Microsoft Teams meeting titled “Introduction to Strategic Project” The project was structured with two distinct teams: Neighborhood and Developer, without any scheduled collaboration between them.
2024 Action Items Summary:
- Our research on objectively defining “compatibility” led us to planokc, Oklahoma City’s new comprehensive plan. Notably, Chapter Two – Development Guide offers a clear method for defining compatibility.
- Held a meeting with Steve Cover and Ryan Chapdelain to present the Oklahoma City plan, which was well received. Additionally, we shared the plan with Lucia Panica, a number of Commissioners, and the CCNA Board.
- At the CCNA Member Meeting on May 4, 2024, Lucia Panica, Director of Development Service, presented the DRC Process and Site Plan Requirements. This presentation marked the beginning of the DRC review project.
- Development Services approved the Guidelines for Effective Development Review by Neighborhoods. Neighborhood association leadership was informed about changes in the development review process and their responsibilities when interacting with the Case Planner. Neighborhood associations are asked to designate a “key contact” for City workshops, notifications, and interactions related to the development process.
2022-2023 Action Items Summary:
- Met with community members and staff to document the initiative’s complexity; determined the project should be split into short-term and long-term action items.
- Collaborated with Development Services to document the development review process. Assisted staff with modifications to forms and procedures, including adjustments to the responsibilities of the Case Planner.
- Collaborated with Planning Staff to evaluate and implement process enhancements for presenting Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code amendments, as well as facilitating town hall meetings and workshops.
- The changes made by Development Services to the development review process were documented. A draft of “Guidelines for Effective Development Review by Neighborhoods” was distributed at the Member Meeting on September 9, 2023.
Compatibility An Objective Approach
Key Points:
- Compatibility: Compatibility is crucial in ensuring smooth interactions between systems, products, or parties. Whether in technology, business partnerships, or team dynamics, compatibility helps reduce conflicts, enhance efficiency, and increase the chances of success.
- Florida Statute: (link: Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine (state.fl.us)) 163.3164 Community Planning Act; definitions.
(9) “Compatibility” means a condition in which land uses or conditions can coexist in relative proximity to each other in a stable fashion over time such that no use or condition is unduly negatively impacted directly or indirectly by another use or condition.
- City of Sarasota Comprehensive Plan uses the word “compatibility” 79 times in different chapters without a single definition of what that term means.
Background
- Background: The CCNA Board formed the Meaningful Public Input committee in June 2022 to address the CCNA Strategic Plan Proposal. This proposal outlines the background, intent, action required, and rationale for the assignment. On June 15, 2023, the CCNA Board approved segmenting the project into three legs (City, Neighborhood and Developer).
City Leg: Collaborate with staff to review and update the DRC process, and work to make “compatibility” an objective, measurable part of that review.
Developer Leg Goal: Identify and acknowledge members of the development community who appreciate the value of meaningful neighborhood input, and who are committed to supporting, contributing to, and promoting this process among their peers.
Neighborhood Leg Goal: Evaluate the capacity of each neighborhood to participate effectively, and develop a program to organize, inform, train, and provide assistance to those not currently prepared. Create a framework that enables participation from residents of neighborhoods without existing organization.
White Papers:
Committee members in researching, defining and formulating actions authored several white papers. These are not recommendations rather topic specific thoughts of committee members.