Sarasota County rejects variance for two-unit Siesta Key multifamily project

The owner of a beachfront property on Sista Key has been denied approval of a coastal setback variance that would allow construction of a two-unit multifamily project by the Sarasota County Commission. With little discussion at its Nov. 19 meeting, commissioners first denied a continuance and by a second vote approval of a petition for the variance at 564 Beach Road.

Both votes were unanimous.

The petitioner, Saba Sands II LLC, had petitioned the county to build the structure west of Tenacity Lane, an alley that runs behind homes that front Beach Road. Among the primary objections expressed by the more than 20 residents who spoke in opposition was the variance would also have included by-right approval of approximately 4,000 square feet of driveway within Beach Access 10 to access the property.