Development

A state Senate committee has approved scaling back a law that temporarily blocks cities and counties from allowing "restrictive or burdensome" changes to growth plans.

Lawmakers are back in Tallahassee this week for their annual session. Environmentalists are concerned about bills that would reduce local government control over pollution and new developments.

Development Review Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the 370-unit project, dubbed The Pelican.

After a three-year legal fight over sharply higher irrigation rates, residents of Gran Paradiso agreed to a settlement with their developer-controlled government that restores the possibility of water service — but only after major concessions critics describe as punitive.

A proposed land swap is now on hold after Siesta Key activist Lourdes Ramirez filed a legal challenge alleging violations of county development codes and improper disposal of public land.

Local officials, attorneys and community leaders gathered in Venice to warn that state preemption and developer influence have eroded meaningful local control over growth, citing laws like SB 180 that limit regulation and weaken environmental protections.

Sarasota County’s bid to end a years-long legal battle over beach access on Siesta Key might have backfired, igniting a new lawsuit and allegations of a costly giveaway of taxpayer-owned parkland.

Demolition has not been scheduled for the nearly 70-year-old beach hotel.

The overall bill that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed earlier this year included a series of measures aimed at helping the state recover from three hurricanes that made landfall in 2025.

Once complete, Amara Bay will feature 415 luxury apartments, an 8,000-square-foot restaurant and a 150-slip marina.

The law effectively freezes local land-development regulations and comprehensive plans through Oct. 1, 2027, and was made retroactive to Aug. 1, 2024.

Geoffrey Zakarian, widely known for starring in Iron Chef America, Chopped and The Kitchen on The Food Network, will helm the newly named Central Hotel’s flagship restaurant.