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Residents say Siesta Promenade project near Siesta Key will make traffic problems worse

"Our quality of life will be so damaged by this development as proposed," said one opponent.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- A popular developer in Sarasota is under fire by some who oppose their project at the gateway to Siesta Key.

Sarasota County commissioners will have the final say on the project Wednesday.

Driving on to Siesta Key from Stickney Point on a weekday early in the afternoon is easy -- there’s no traffic, but try driving during the season or a beautiful summer weekend.

That is a different story. Traffic is bumper to bumper, and it can take an hour even hour and a half to get to Siesta Beach.

"If the project built as proposed it will make a nightmare even worse," said Sura Kotchman, speaking of Benderson Development’s Siesta Promenade. The project includes 13 buildings with 414 apartments, an 80-foot-high hotel with 130 rooms and 140,000 square feet of retail space.

What’s the problem? Some homeowners say Siesta Promenade is not the right fit for their neighborhood or the area and will do more harm than good. It backs into the Pine Shores neighborhood off Stickney Point Road and U.S. 41.

“Right where that tree is further back will be 40-foot-high apartment buildings filtering own the street,” Kotchman said. “What they are proposing is too high too dense not compatible for this area.”

She is among 2,000 people who’ve signed a petition to stop the project saying it will make the traffic gridlock worse on the way to Siesta Key and in her neighborhood.

Kotchman says, “Benderson has 4 exits out into our neighborhood.”

“Our project will not change how the traffic works there,” says Todd Mathes, Director of Development for Benderson Development.

Mathes says they will make road and traffic light improvements to keep cars moving.

“The big delays our caused by the bridge opening with or without our project the bridge will keep opening and closing,” Mathes explains. “Our traffic volume is 4 percent when we’re built out that is years from now.”

As for the apartment buildings, Mathes says they are esthetically pleasing, have a 35 foot set back and are 100 feet away from a family home.

“We’ve listened to their concerns and made changes,” Mathes said. He says the proposed project is within the county’s comprehensive plan.

Kotchman says it’s not enough: “Our quality of life will be so damaged by this development as proposed.”

She says they’re not opposed to developing the property, but says she's heard from many residents who want it scaled back to a smaller hotel, with fewer apartment buildings and less retail space.

Sarasota County Commissioners have set the entire day aside starting 9 a.m. Wednesday for the meeting. Opponents will be wearing blue shirts.

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