Rural residents join forces as developer aims to rezone 500-acre site in historic Old Miakka

SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — Residents in eastern Sarasota County are once again joining forces to stop a proposed development off Lena Lane in Old Miakka. The site sits a short distance from the Historic Schoolhouse, which is a local landmark.

The developer hasn’t submitted formal application plans to the county, but early plans show John Cannon Homes aims to rezone around 511 acres from Open Use Rural and Open Use Agriculture which allows for one home every 10 to 160 acres, to Open Use Estate which would allow the development of one home per five acres or less.

Sheldon Holland, who moved to Old Miakka more than 30 years ago, lives next door to where the proposed development would take form. To get to his 10-acre property, you have to take dirt roads under tree canopies, and along the way, you will likely spot cows, horses, deer and other wildlife.

“Most people move to this community to raise their kids. It is not a place where people move to sell their house in seven years. It is not a place that people buy here for profit; they move here to live,” said Holland.

In documents provided to 8 On Your Side by Sarasota County, a representative for the developer said the rezoning will allow for additional residential homes with increased open space as part of a “Conservation Subdivision”.

“The applicant intends to match the development pattern of the communities to the north and west of the property. The Conservation Subdivision form of development will provide a sense of rural living based on the natural, on-site features and the proposed residential development preserving significant portions of the existing habitat/corridors with limited disturbances to those features,” the pre-application narrative submitted to the county reads.

Holland feels it will not be a match and fears if the developer gets their way, his Old Florida lifestyle will never be the same.

Other residents expressed concerns surrounding impacts on roads, wildlife habitats, water quality, and safety.

“It will be an urban intrusion into not just a rural community, but historic rural community,” said Becky Ayech.

The proposed development still needs to go before the county’s planning commission and the county commission.

The Old Miakka Community is hosting an informational meeting Thursday night at the Historic Schoolhouse at 15800 Wilson Road.

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