City approves zoning for new hospital

SARASOTA — The Venice City Council has approved a zoning amendment that allows Sarasota Memorial Health Care System to go forward on development plans for its new Venice hospital.

The 65-acre site at the intersection of Laurel and Pinebrook roads near Interstate 75 had been zoned for a shopping center, according to a press release. The City Council unanimously approved SMH’s request to allow a hospital and related health care facilities to be built on the site.