Venice Council Approves Height Variance for Proposed Surgery Centre
VENICE,โฃ FL – The Venice City Council on Tuesday approvedโ a variance allowingโ for increased building height for a proposed surgery center atโ 100 Nokomis Avenue South. The 4-3 vote permits the developer, Sarasota-based Venice Surgeryโ Center LLC, โฃto build up to 45 feet, exceeding the standard 35-footโฃ limit for the area.
The decision followsโ months of debate โฃregarding the project’s potential โคimpact on surrounding neighborhoods.โ Proponents argue the center will addressโ a critical healthcare โneed in the region,โ while opponents expressed concerns about increased traffic, noise, and the โvisual impact of a taller structure.
Councilmember Jim braun, a supporter of the variance, emphasizedโข the importance โof expanding healthcareโ access.”This surgery โcenter will provide much-needed services to โขour community and reduce the burden on existing facilities,” he said.
opponents, including Councilmember Mitzie Sykes, voiced reservations about setting a precedent for exceeding โheight restrictions. “We need to be mindful โขof maintaining the character of our neighborhoods,” Sykes stated during the meeting.
The approved variance is contingent uponโฃ several conditions, including landscaping โคrequirements,โฃ traffic mitigation โฃmeasures, and adherence to noise level restrictions. The surgery center is planned to include operating rooms, recovery areas, and administrative โขoffices.
The nokomis area Old-Timers picnic wasโฃ also noted during the meeting. Venice โHistorical resources Manager Harry Klinkhamer highlightedโ the contributions of earlโข Midlam, who โhasโฃ donated hundreds of items for preservation, resulting in the “Earl Midlam Collection.” Midlam, a former City Council member, encouraged community involvement in local boards, historical groups, and Venice Area Beautification Inc.
In othreโฃ business, the council unanimously approved theโค first reading of an ordinance adding a Venezia Parkโ home at 500 Nassau Street โto the โcity’s โLocalโค register ofโ Historical Resources. Built by Grahamโค Walkerโข in 1927 or 1928, the property was โadded to the National Register of Historic โขPlaces in 1989 and was recently purchased by the Michael โE. Jeromin Living Trust, with plans for โฃrestoration underway. Owners of properties on the register may be eligible for property tax exemptions, floodplainโ restoration assistance, modified building code enforcement, andโข development review fee waivers.