2002-2006 News

Know the history behind the WVID. How it went from the "old Florida" Taylor Ranch land in Sarasota County to become a grand planned community with the new name of Thomas Ranch in the City of North Port.
Land battles top 2002 agenda

Published on January 1, 2002, Article 79 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 703 words.)}

The city and Sarasota County battled bitterly over the annexations of about 17,000 acres of county land in 2001.

A winner could emerge this year.

The city is awaiting word from the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland on whether it will consider overturning a lower court's ruling that invalidated annexations of a 7,800-acre parcel of the Taylor Ranch and the 240-acre River Road Office Park.

County commissioners voted unanimously last month to challenge city

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SARASOTA 2050

Published on January 3, 2002, Article 78 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 2550 words.)}

The Sarasota County Commission is considering Sarasota 2050, a sweeping, long-range land-use plan that would let developers build more homes than now allowed in rural areas east of Interstate 75. In exchange, more open space and environmentally sensitive land would be preserved.

Advocates say it's "smart growth"; critics say it's "too aggressive."

Here's a guide through the basics of Sarasota

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South County ripe for villages

Published on January 11, 2002, Article 75 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 523 words.)}

The villages concept being considered for the rural county may be suitable in a smaller form for what's called the "future urban area"between Venice, Englewood and North Port, the Sarasota County commissioners said Thursday night.

The "future urban"area spans 17,000 acres south of U.S. 41 and east of State Road 776, about 14,000 acres of which are in the Taylor Ranch.

Some of that area is already built as five- and

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Suit targets annexation issue again

Published on January 12, 2002, Article 74 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 383 words.)}

The battle between Sarasota County and the city over the Taylor Ranch continued Thursday when the county filed a legal challenge to a recent annexation of 761 acres of the property.

The challenge filed against the City Commission asserts that the annexation violates state requirements and the city's own comprehensive plan.

"The Taylors are very disappointed that the county is continuing to fight this turf battle,"said Jeff Boone, an attorney

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Sarasota 2050 plan ready for review

Published on January 17, 2002, Article 73 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 870 words.)}

After weeks of debating and rewriting a plan that will shape growth for the next five decades, the county commissioners are ready to listen to what residents think of the proposal.

A discussion on affordable housing wrapped up the commission's efforts to get the Sarasota 2050 plan ready for public hearings in two weeks. The five-member panel has taken no final votes, and it may make more changes based on what residents say.

County Commissioner David Mills said

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Plan may speed ranch timetable

Published on January 29, 2002, Article 68 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 701 words.)}

A vast area of South County ranch land could be opened to urban development about 15 years sooner than the county's current land-use plan allows.

But that depends on whether the County Commission adopts the proposed Sarasota 2050 growth management plan, and on whether the biggest landowner in that area, the Taylor Ranch, is willing to develop according to 2050's rules.

The Taylor family owns more than 14,000 acres in a 17,000-acre area between Venice and

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Panel says city can annex land

Published on February 22, 2002, Article 58 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 128 words.)}

The Planning and Zoning Advisory Board recommended Thursday that the City Commission approve annexations of a portion of the Taylor Ranch and an adjacent property.

The 5,208-acre parcel of the Taylor Ranch is parallel to River Road and just west of the 761 acres annexed in December.

The owners of a neighboring 234-acre parcel, known as the River Road Office Park tract, also requested the city annex its property.

The Taylors requested the two latest annexations in response to

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County drops its challenge to North Port annexations

Published on March 28, 2002, Article 49 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 599 words.)}

The Sarasota County Commission dropped its challenges to two properties North Port annexed almost two years ago.

The commissioners'unanimous vote Wednesday could end wrangling over the Glawson-Carlton and Warm Mineral Springs properties annexed in September 2000.

The vote came after County Attorney Jorge Fernandez assured the commissioners that concerns about environmental protection, trees and preservation of historical and archaeological resources could be addressed

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County challenges North Port

Published on May 9, 2002, Article 39 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 240 words.)}

Just days before its meeting today to try to resolve differences with the city over annexation issues, Sarasota County raised the stakes with another legal action against North Port.

In a suit filed Tuesday in circuit court, the county challenged North Port's plan to annex a 5,208-acre parcel of Taylor Ranch and the 234-acre River Road Office Park.

Annexation will dominate the agenda at today's meeting, which follows 45 days of negotiations between city and

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Dispute over annexations ironed out

Published on May 10, 2002, Article 38 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 393 words.)}

In four hours of confusing, tense and sometimes hostile discussion, the city and Sarasota County forged an agreement that settled a war that had simmered for years.

The City and County commissions agreed to drop all their outstanding lawsuits over annexed land and work toward a joint planning agreement that will govern future annexations by the city.

In short order, the commissions unanimously agreed on matters relating to transportation, road impact fees, fire departments,

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Annexation saga has many chapters

Published on May 19, 2002, Article 37 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 1059 words.)}

The hugs and handshakes concluding their joint meeting on May 9 were in stark contrast to nearly two years of acrimony separating city and county commissions in a bitter battle over turf.

County officials were shocked in the summer of 2000 when North Port announced its plan to annex 27 square miles, or 17,000 acres -- an area larger than Sarasota and Venice combined.

Cities throughout the state annex land thousands of times a year. Tallahassee, for example, has recently annexed

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Landowners predict fight over village plan

Published on June 26, 2002, Article 32 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 603 words.)}

Property owners in a 4,800-acre zone where county commissioners may allow scaled- down versions of proposed rural villages warn they could end up in a legal war over development rights.

The Sarasota 2050 growth plan is "going to encourage litigation,"Jeffrey Boone, attorney for the Taylor Ranch, told the commissioners Tuesday. "Everyone's going to fight."

Michael Furen, an attorney for former County Commissioner Jeanne

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Planners oppose rezoning of ranch

Published on July 31, 2002, Article 27 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 320 words.)}

Sarasota County planning staff is recommending against adoption of two amendments to the county comprehensive plan because they jump the gun on the normal planning cycle.

The largest of the proposals to be considered Thursday night involves 2,439 acres of the Taylor Ranch.

The Taylor family wants the land zoned for low-density residential use -- two homes per acre -- instead of the present semi-rural use that allows one home per two acres.

The Taylor proposal would also

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Planners advise against map deal

Published on August 6, 2002, Article 26 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 196 words.)}

The Sarasota County Planning Commission last week recommended denial of a proposed comprehensive plan amendment that would have created an opportunity to increase development on 2,439 acres of the Taylor Ranch.

Attorney Jeff Boone asked the board to change the future land-use map designation for the land from semi-rural (one unit per two acres) to low density residential (up to two units per acre).

A future land use map change is not a change in zoning. That would take a separate

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Landowners get head start

Published on September 25, 2002, Article 21 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 755 words.)}

A group of landowners between Englewood and North Port got what the county commissioners called "a jump start"on the Sarasota 2050 growth plan Tuesday.

They may get to build a village-style development before anyone else.

Most of the commissioners are excited about the idea of having a "working model"of the village concept, even before Sarasota 2050 clears all its legal hurdles. Commissioner David Mills said the South County

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Our Community

Published on October 14, 2002, Article 18 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 294 words.)}

Commission to vote on three annexations

NORTH PORT -- The City Commission will vote Tuesday on three annexations that could add more than 800 acres of Taylor Ranch to the city.

The annexations, ranging in size from 200 to 434 acres, would add 840 acres near Tamiami Trail and River Road to the 27 square miles of Taylor Ranch the city has already annexed.

The commission will also consider a proposal to rezone 37 acres that would pave the way for a commercial and retail

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Taylor Ranch sells for $73M

Published on October 16, 2002, Article 17 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 547 words.)}

Taylor Ranch, a single parcel of undeveloped land larger than the cities of Sarasota and Venice combined, has been sold for $73.1 million to a Georgia land developer whose last local venture was redevelopment of Gulf Gate Mall.

Taylor Ranch is still regarded as a prime area for future development. But whether that development will be urban or suburban in character and size is expected to remain a matter of hot dispute.

Stanley Thomas, a cattle rancher from Smyrna, Ga., acquired more

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Thinking 'big'

Published on October 21, 2002, Article 16 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 1483 words.)}

Stanley E. Thomas, who very quietly became one of Sarasota County's largest private landowners earlier this month, is a man who "knows how to think big."

So says Robert Crutchfield, chief executive of a Georgia charity on whose board Thomas serves.

But even those who have never met the man, including most of his new Florida neighbors, would have to agree that "big"is a word that attaches itself easily to Stan

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Officials to discuss service to Taylor Ranch area

Published on December 10, 2002, Article 6 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 188 words.)}

Officials from the city of North Port and the Englewood Water District met Monday to discuss providing water and waste-water services to the North Port portion of the former Taylor Ranch.

North Port City Commissioner Joseph Fink -- who instigated meetings with various Englewood agencies, including the water district and the Englewood Area Fire Control District -- said the city will be the main provider of water and sewer service to that part of the ranch, about 7,800 acres of the

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Developer sues Taylor Ranch

Published on December 27, 2002, Article 2 of 79 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 329 words.)}

A leading Florida home builder filed suit against the new owners of the Taylor Ranch to try to enforce a contract involving the sale of a portion of that land.

A suit, filed in 12th Circuit Court in Sarasota in late November by DiVosta and Co. Inc., charges that Fourth Quarter Properties, which purchased 14,000 acres of Taylor Ranch in October 2002 for $73.1 million, intends to breach a binding contract between DiVosta and the Taylor family over a 600-acre parcel.

Executed and

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Ranch asks for special district Taylor Ranch wants to establish governing powers for future development.

Published on February 7, 2003, Article 160 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 973 words.)}

Seeking a special tax district for its vast real estate holdings in North Port, Taylor Ranch is using a legal model the Legislature created 36 years ago for Walt Disney World.

The proposed West Villages Improvement District would have its own elected board and the power to tax its residents to pay for roads, drinking water supplies, drainage systems and other infrastructure.

Like a city, the tax district would have its own official seal. And it would have the power of eminent domain

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N. Port to hold special-district workshop

Published on February 16, 2003, Article 159 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 83 words.)}

The City Commission will host a workshop at noon Tuesday to discuss the proposed West Villages Improvement District.

Fourth Quarter Properties, owner of Taylor Ranch, wants the state Legislature to create the district so it can sell bonds to finance development of infrastructure on 7,800 acres of ranchland inside the city.

The workshop with Fourth Quarter attorney Jeff Boone will be the first opportunity for commissioners to review the proposal.

The commission meets at North

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North Port wary of tax district

Published on February 19, 2003, Article 156 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 553 words.)}

A special tax district proposed by Taylor Ranch won't evolve into a governmental behemoth that usurps the city's powers, the new owner of Taylor Ranch assured North Port officials Tuesday.

Yet, despite developer Stanley Thomas'promises, the city commissioners said they're unsure whether they should ask the Legislature to create the district.

"What I don't like is that all of this is being presented to us

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North Port rejects special tax district

Published on February 25, 2003, Article 154 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 708 words.)}

Taylor Ranch agreed to withdraw legislation for a special tax district on the nearly 8,000 acres it owns in this city after most of the city commissioners rejected the idea Monday.

Fourth Quarter Properties, the new owner of Taylor Ranch, wanted to secure the city's endorsement so that a bill creating the West Villages Improvement District could be filed in the Legislature by a March 3 deadline. The district would have taxed future residents to pay for the construction of

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Independent district on table in North Port

Published on November 6, 2003, Article 3 of 5 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 875 words.)}

City Commissioners Barbara Gross and Joe Fink agree that a plan being considered today for nearly 8,000 acres of the Thomas Ranch is one of the most significant in North Port's history.

But that's about all they agree on when it comes to developer Stan Thomas'request to create an Independent Special District for nearly 12 miles of undeveloped land on the west end of the third-fastest growing city in Florida.

As many as 30,000 residents could

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City OKs Taylor Ranch plan

Published on January 22, 2004, Article 153 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 574 words.)}

The third time was the charm for developer Stan Thomas.

The Georgia-based developer's bid to designate a 7,800-acre former Taylor Ranch property as a Special Improvement District, with its own taxation powers and governing body, won unanimous approval from the City Commission on Wednesday after failing in February and November of 2003.

The city's passage of the plan, which still must be approved by the state Legislature, opens the door for Thomas to sell

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County wary of North Port growth

Published on January 24, 2004, Article 151 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 906 words.)}

An attorney for developer Stan Thomas said this week that 15,000 homes could be built on the former Taylor Ranch -- the equivalent of nearly three homes a day, every day, for 15 years.

Before that happens, County Administrator Jim Ley and two Sarasota County commissioners say they want assurances that North Port's burgeoning growth will not pile new costs on the county, new cars on the roads, and new children in the schools.

The North Port city commissioners have signed

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Part of the whole

Published on March 4, 2004, Article 150 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 423 words.)}

When developer Stan Thomas paid $78 million for the Taylor Ranch in southeast Sarasota County and renamed it for himself, it was obvious that he had big plans.

This morning in Tallahassee, the Sarasota County legislative delegation will be asked to help move Thomas'plans forward by endorsing his proposal for a 7,800-acre special tax district within the city of North Port. The delegation's support is essential to having the full Legislature consider the proposal

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Special tax district plan gains support

Published on March 5, 2004, Article 149 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 689 words.)}

North Port and a local developer took the first step Thursday toward state approval of a huge new taxing district that would foster development on 8,000 acres near the Myakka River.

The city and Fourth Quarter Properties LLC, better known as the Thomas Ranch, got most of the state lawmakers representing Sarasota County to accept the special taxing district plan.

The district would pay for roads, water, sewer and drainage systems, parks and other infrastructure needed to develop the

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Panel approves new tax district

Published on April 15, 2004, Article 148 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 638 words.)}

It's all over but the building.

A key committee in the state legislature Wednesday approved a Georgia developer's plan for a 7,800-acre special taxation district in North Port, paving the way for up to 15,000 new homes over the next 15 years.

If the full House and Senate approve the bill as expected before adjournment at the end of this month, the district will be organized this summer, said Venice attorney Jeff Boone, representing the developer.

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News Updates

Published on April 20, 2004, Article 147 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 346 words.)}

Thomas Ranch bill OK'd with condition

NORTH PORT -- The City Commission unanimously approved a bill Monday that would create a 7,800-acre special taxation district in North Port, but stipulated the new development must not affect the city's road impact fee agreement with Sarasota County.

The bill, which must be approved by the state Legislature, would allow Georgia developer Stan Thomas to sell bonds to finance roads and infrastructure on the Thomas Ranch

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News Updates

Published on May 2, 2004, Article 146 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 325 words.)}

Thomas Ranch bill beats the clock

TALLAHASSEE -- Plans for fostering development on thousands of acres in North Port nearly died in the chaotic final hours of the 2004 legislative session.

But before time ran out -- the Legislature quit just before midnight -- lawmakers finally approved the creation of a special taxing district to help pay for roads, utilities and other infrastructure planned in the development of the Thomas Ranch property in North Port.

The landowner,

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Bush OKs Thomas Ranch tax district

Published on June 19, 2004, Article 145 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 520 words.)}

Gov. Jeb Bush signed into law Georgia developer Stan Thomas'plan for a 7,800-acre special taxation district in North Port on Thursday.

The West Villages Improvement District is mostly south of U.S. 41 and west of River Road on the former Taylor Ranch property. It could be the site of up to 15,000 homes within 15 years, Thomas'representatives have said.

Approved by the Legislature this year, the district allows Thomas to sell bonds to finance roads and

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Thomas Ranch village gets 'wow'

Published on July 26, 2005, Article 143 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 725 words.)}

The city commissioners caught their first glimpse Monday night of the 15,000-home community that will transform the rural land between Venice and North Port. And they liked what they saw.

"All I can say is, 'Wow,'"Commissioner Barbara Gross said after reviewing the plans. "I'm just really impressed we're going to have a development like this in North Port."

Called "the

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Large-scale developments getting past state review

Published on September 25, 2005, Article 138 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 1898 words.)}

If there's a development that would qualify as one of regional impact, it would be the West Villages of Thomas Ranch.

The project could bring 15,000 new homes to the pine-covered ranchland between North Port and Venice, adding 82,500 more vehicle trips onto roads such as U.S. 41 and River Road each day. At build out, the development will use between 4 million and 5 million gallons of water daily, requiring its own water and sewage treatment plants. And the thousands of new

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North Port OKs 4,114 new homes in one year

Published on October 9, 2005, Article 137 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 837 words.)}

Despite higher impact fees, protected scrub jay habitats and talk of a moratorium, building in North Port soared to a new level during the past fiscal year as the city approved 33 percent more homes.

From Oct. 1, 2004, to Sept. 30, 2005, the North Port Building Department permitted 4,114 single-family homes, shattering its previous record of 3,088 and adding at least $538 million to the city's tax base.

Last month alone, the city approved 570 new homes, an all-time high

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SEEN &HEARD

Published on December 21, 2005, Article 130 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 539 words.)}

This isn't your ordinary sales trailer

Jeff Foxworthy wouldn't recognize this trailer.

Of course, "redneck"comedian Foxworthy -- unlike DiVosta homes -- isn't worried about selling nearly 2,000 homes, starting at more than $300,000 each.

DiVosta, the developer of IslandWalk, part of the West Villages on Thomas Ranch, has given its temporary sales trailer on U.S. 41 what can only be described as an extreme

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North Port leaders under pressure

Published on January 8, 2006, Article 129 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 915 words.)}

Keeping up with the demands of a city that is bigger in land area than Miami and that issued a record 4,114 new home permits last year has been a huge challenge for North Port's leaders.

But it is far from the only challenge.

At the same time they deal with growth in established areas of the 103-square-mile city, North Port leaders are also planning for the West Villages on Thomas Ranch, a development that has the potential to be an another city unto itself.

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Residents protest plant site

Published on January 10, 2006, Article 128 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 572 words.)}

About 70 residents came to a public meeting Monday to protest what they claim was a behind-the-scenes deal to build a sewer treatment plant near their homes.

Lake Geraldine, Tarpon Point and Myakka Estates homeowners said they were shocked to learn the West Villages Improvement District is considering building a 82-acre sewer treatment plant at the intersection of River Road and East River Road --the gateway to their developments.

The treatment plant would serve the 15,000 homes

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Going Up: IslandWalk in Venice

Published on February 5, 2006, Article 126 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 543 words.)}

DiVosta Homes is rolling out IslandWalk at the West Villages, a new, somewhat self-contained community.

The gated development will be spread over 829 acres and contain 1,869 residences, eventually including town houses, patio homes and single-family houses. Between River and Jacaranda roads on South Tamiami Trail, the project's first phase will have house-lot packages priced from the $300,000s.

Four house styles range from 1,720 to 2,506 square feet of under-air space,

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North Port may let builder begin work

Published on February 13, 2006, Article 125 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 1175 words.)}

Despite more than 48 hours of closed-door meetings over the last three months, city administrators and Thomas Ranch representatives have yet to reach an agreement on who will pay to provide vital services to the future residents of the West Villages.

Even so, city leaders are expected to let DiVosta Homes Inc. start building hundreds of homes on Thomas Ranch.

The City Commission's final vote on the DiVosta plan -- one part of the much larger Thomas Ranch development --

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DiVosta gets OK to build

Published on February 14, 2006, Article 124 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 858 words.)}

DiVosta Homes Inc. won unanimous approval Monday night from the City Commission to begin building 328 homes on Thomas Ranch, even though the city and the property owner have yet to reach an annexation agreement.

The agreement would specify how much the owners and developers of the ranch would pay the city of North Port to help offset the cost of building roads, sewers, parks, police and other services.

Leading up to Monday's vote, a citizens group warned that North Port

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Building on faith

Published on February 15, 2006, Article 123 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 259 words.)}

Not everyone in North Port is happy that DiVosta Homes Inc. can start construction on Thomas Ranch.

The City Commission -- in a display of good faith toward the construction firm and property owner Stan Thomas -- voted unanimously Monday to let the company begin building the first few hundred homes of the proposed 15,000-home development.

The commission did so even though Thomas and the city have yet to reach an annexation agreement on the property, which North Port annexed in 2002.

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Residents'lobbying pays off

Published on June 1, 2006, Article 115 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 644 words.)}

When Gerry Resnik learned in January that the developer of Thomas Ranch wanted to build a sewer treatment plant within a stone's throw of his home and the Myakka River, he didn't stay quiet.

Resnik and about 100 neighbors spent the last four months calling city commissioners and the developer, speaking out at city meetings and collecting signatures -- all in the hopes of getting the 82-acre sewage plant moved. It appears the lobbying has paid off.

Thomas

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North Port deal appears unlikely

Published on December 22, 2006, Article 99 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 744 words.)}

An attempt at a landmark agreement that would govern southern Sarasota County growth appears dead, possibly setting up a vote in March that could decide the scope of future development in North Port.

County and North Port governments began meeting in September to forge an agreement about growth in the city, which has ballooned from 22,000 residents to more than 50,000 since 2000. The two sides set a Jan. 4 deadline on the agreement.

But North Port is close to walking away from talks

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Thomas Ranch developers sue over road, drainage taxes

Published on January 5, 2007, Article 96 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 457 words.)}

Three Thomas Ranch developers have filed a suit against the city, claiming they have been illegally taxed hundreds of thousands of dollars for roads and drainage.

According to the lawsuits, filed by Divosta Homes, Gran Paradiso and Forth Quarter Properties, the road and drainage assessments are illegal.

At issue is when the city can start taxing property owners in the development.

Jeff Boone, the attorney representing the West Villages at Thomas Ranch, but who did not file

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Thomas Ranch project put on hold

Published on January 21, 2007, Article 91 of 160 found.
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune (FL){PUBLICATION2, 663 words.)}

Progress on the largest development in the city's history has come to a grinding halt.

A project that promises to change the face of North Port and bring dramatic changes to southern Sarasota County, Thomas Ranch will eventually include 15,000 homes, shopping centers, parks and office space.

In a city that has long struggled to provide such amenities, North Port saw the 8,000-acre tract as its golden ticket, a chance to attract new residents and commercial businesses

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