Venice Voices
What Are They Building Now?
February 2026
Overview of the Twin Laurel Development Project
Current Construction Activity
The site currently under development is known as Twin Laurel. This initiative was first proposed in February 2023 and has since moved forward with concrete plans and approvals.
Project Location
The Twin Laurel development is situated along Honore Avenue, adjacent to the Sheriff Tom Knight Support Services Facility. The project is guided by a Binding Development Concept Plan, which outlines the overall vision and specific requirements for the new construction.
Planned Features and Specifications
The development will feature a mix of uses, including commercial spaces, a hotel with 150 rooms, office facilities, an assisted living facility, storage facility and structured parking. In addition, multifamily residential buildings will be constructed to create a comprehensive, mixed-use community.
The maximum allowable building height for the site is 75 feet. At least 30% of the property will be dedicated to open space, ensuring a balance between development and green areas.
How Sarasota County Provides Transparency in Zoning
Binding Development Concept Plans
The Binding Development Concept Plan, as articulated within Sarasota County's Comprehensive Plan, offers a detailed roadmap for developers seeking zoning modifications, ensuring that city staff, the planning commission, and county commissioners have a clear understanding of proposed developments prior to any zoning approvals.
The Role of the Binding Development Concept Plan in Sarasota County
The Binding Development Concept Plan, as outlined in Sarasota County's Comprehensive Plan, serves as a crucial framework for guiding development within the county.
This plan provides developers with a detailed and structured pathway when they seek modifications to existing zoning. By adhering to this roadmap, developers ensure that all parties involved—including city staff, the planning commission, and county commissioners—are equipped with a comprehensive and transparent understanding of the proposed projects before any decisions regarding zoning approvals are made.
This structured approach enhances predictability in the development process and helps maintain alignment between proposed projects and the county's broader community planning objectives.
By setting clear expectations and providing thorough documentation at the outset, the Binding Development Concept Plan supports informed decision-making, and fosters trust among stakeholders involved in land use and zoning matters.
Absence of a Binding Development Concept Plan
The City of Venice does not require developers to submit a Binding Development Concept Plan with zoning petitions, unlike Sarasota County.
This means Venice has less formal documentation and fewer set expectations for development during the zoning review process.
This absence of formalized procedures has led to recurring frustrations among city staff, elected officials, and residents.
Concerns frequently arise due to the lack of clarity and specificity associated with zoning approvals, leaving stakeholders uncertain about the details and future implications of proposed developments.
The resulting ambiguity can create significant misunderstandings, especially among residents who believe they are investing in exclusively residential neighborhoods.
In some cases, these individuals later discover that the zoning permits additional uses, which were not clearly indicated at the time of approval.
Such situations underscore the need for greater transparency and predictability in the City's zoning processes to better serve all parties involved.
In Summary
Implementing a Binding Development Concept Plan at the time of zoning is essential for establishing clear expectations, promoting transparency, and fostering trust among all stakeholders.
Such a plan would ensure that proposed developments are thoroughly documented and understood before approvals are granted, minimizing confusion and future disputes. Adopting this approach in Venice would greatly enhance predictability in the development process and better serve the interests of residents, city staff, and elected officials alike.