Sarasota City Plan (2030) [Comprehensive Plan]
On December 1, 2008, the City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 08-4792, which revised the Sarasota City Plan [1998] to the Sarasota City Plan [2030]. Support Documents for each Chapter are included in the Plan, although the Support Documents are not formally adopted by the City Commission.
Of particular interest to CCNA members is the Neighborhood Chapter, being highlighted here on our website. This part of the plan could not have been completed without the efforts of our neighborhood leaders and is the driving force behind CCNA’s advocacy for our Neighborhoods.
Intent and Purpose
The purpose of the Neighborhood Chapter is contained in the City Commission’s adoption of the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) in June of 1996. It directed that the City develop a neighborhood chapter for inclusion in the Sarasota City Plan update which:
- acknowledges neighborhoods’ contribution to the community that is Sarasota;
- provides support to their continued existence;
- seeks to preserve the best qualities of Sarasota’s distinct neighborhoods; while
- responding creatively to the pressures of change and growth.
“A City where urban amenities meet small town living.”
Neighborhoods play a critical role in realizing this vision statement for the City. The way people feel about their neighborhoods has a lot to do with achieving “small town living”. Small towns, and successful neighborhoods offer a sense of community, mutual responsibility, friendliness, visual pleasantness, ease of movement and safety from crime. The intent of this Plan is to achieve this vision.
“Viable, safe and diverse neighborhoods and businesses that work together.”
Attractive, clean and aesthetically pleasing neighborhoods are essential to healthy neighborhoods – to maintaining the City as a desirable place to live – and to achieving this defining principle. It is the intent of the Neighborhood Plan to pursue actions that further Sarasota’s Strategic Plan. The City’s neighborhood initiative is just beginning. Moving forward will require an ongoing dialogue between the City Commission, the Planning Board, and neighborhood representatives. It will require a continued refinement of City government and neighborhood relationships in the best traditions of self government.
“An attractive, environmentally-friendly community that is safe and livable and provides an array of cultural and aesthetic enjoyments.”
The City’s ability to a achieve safety in its neighborhoods, both real and perceived, is critical to maintaining healthy neighborhoods. Before people can enjoy the qualities of living in City neighborhoods they must feel secure in their homes and neighborhoods. Objectives and action strategies in the Neighborhood Plan address this defining principle. Perhaps, the most important qualities of successful neighborhoods are their sense of community, and willingness to work together toward common objectives. The Neighborhood Plan intends to establish a framework that will facilitate and encourage neighborhoods working together as a community.