Sarasota County land swap a bad idea
Mike Holderness’ recent guest column leaves readers without several key facts needed to evaluate the proposed beachfront land swap (“Sarasota County residents need more beach access. Let’s provide it,” June 24).
While Mr. Holderness claims that his four parcels are worth $11 million, Sarasota County’s own appraisals valued those same parcels at $30,000 each.
More importantly, the county purchased 162 Beach Road in 2017 for $1.4 million by using voter-approved Neighborhood Parkland Program (NPP) funds to preserve wildlife habitat and dunes.
When the county attorney presented the proposed land swap settlement to the Sarasota County Commission for its approval in 2024, it was not disclosed that this parcel had been acquired with voter-approved NPP funds.
And our concern is not simply about this one property – we are also concerned about the precedent that would be set.
If the county can trade away land purchased with Neighborhood Parkland Program funds to settle one lawsuit, what’s to stop it from doing it again?
Despite our current concerns, I strongly support renewing the Neighborhood Parkland Program on the November ballot because it has preserved land for more than 20 years.
Assistant County Administrator Nicole Rissler – who previously served as Sarasota County’s parks, recreation and natural resources director – has said neighborhood parkland is to be protected in perpetuity.
That is what voters were promised.
Whether this proposed exchange is consistent with that promise may ultimately be decided by the courts.
Lourdes Ramirez, Siesta Key
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota County should reject land swap offer. Here’s why | Letters
Reporting by Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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By Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
