- Re-sodding of US 41 right of way and median is progressing on schedule and should be completed by year end.
- An amended Unit 1 Plan of Development was accepted by the WVID which better defines how the remaining approximately $17 million of Unit 1 bond funds will be spent in the next few years. About $12 million of the original, 2007, $30 million bond issue has already been spent on infrastructure improvements including the West Villages Parkway, city park lands, and landscaping along the Parkway and US 41.
- An appraisal of approximately 4.5 acres of land on and along the existing entrance to the State College of Florida from US 41 was approved. This access road lies on land owned by the general developer and having an access easment for the college. Conversion of the land to WVID ownership will ensure continued maintenance of the road in perpetuity and should be in public ownership rather that private for that purpose.
- A second appraisal of approximately 60 acres of land was also approved today. In conversations with the Sarasota County School Board, WVID was informed that over the years since 2007 the anticipated need for new schools has changed and school board plans now call for a K-12 school campus to be built in WVID. The original Plan of Development called for an approximate 45 acre parcel to be located more in the interior of WVID; but the school board asked for land it could build on in the next 2 to 5 years. So, this 60 acre parcel is located along the East side of West Villages Parkway and South of the existing State College of Florida campus.
- Supervisor Marty Black put on his developers hat briefly and explained that the new Sarasota Memorial Hostiptal (SMH) health park land will front the South side of US 41 between the entrance to State College of Florida and West Villages Parkway. This 30 acre or so parcel was recently traded to SMH by the general developer for a 120 acre or so parcel previously owned by SMH that was located more in the interior of WVID. There are no imediate plans by SMH to develop this property.
- Marty also said the the general developer had signed a contract with Sembler Retail Development to begin the first commercial/retail project in WVID. The planned new development will start at the Southeast corner of US 41 and the dirt road entrance to "The Ranch". It will eventually extend East and South to almost the West Villages Parkway in both directions. This will be a retail grocercy (Publix?) anchored shopping center, commercial, and resort development to include a hotel and 13 acre man-made recreational lake providing swimming and boating amenities. Permitting has already started, land clearing should begin early next year and construction should begin by mid to late 2016. We may very well have a neighborhood grocery store by early 2017. Maybe.
I suggested to the board that future appraisals of property should include two appraisals from different appraisers. Many residents and myself have voiced conern that the single appraisals obtained in the past were inflated and did not accurately reflect conditions that should, in our opinions, have detracted from the property's value. My logic for this was that the additional cost of a second appraisal should more than be recovered by negotiating a lower purchase price for WVID acquired property in the future. Time will tell if this is the case. The board agreed to give it a try.
To everyone reading these posts, have a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays to all.
