SOUTH VENICE — Sarasota County Commissioners voted to allow a special exception for the proposed Market on Dearborn event venue — with some stipulations.
The commissioners voted 4-1 for the exception, with Commissioner Neil Rainford opposing.
The Hesse family, which owns the Paradise Exclusive real estate office and adjoining property at West Dearborn Street and McCall Road, asked the county for a special zoning exception to have outdoor events throughout the year.
The half-acre venue would include semi-permanent food stations and about 70 temporary booths for vendors. Activities could include weekly markets, special events, brunches, holiday festivities and more.
West Dearborn Street rules allow for farmers markets, however, they must be held on two consecutive days per week, totaling 104 per year.
In December, the property owners began having markets on Thursdays and Saturdays, but canceled the Saturday sessions due to the restrictions.
Without the special exception, the business would also be allowed four large special events in one year, and they would have to go through the county’s Temporary Use Permit process, which makes sure security, parking and health concerns are met. The special exception allows them to bypass that process for events.
The Hesse family’s special exception request was for events on 260 days during the year, or five days a week.
After a couple of hours of public input and discussion, commissioners pared that request down, stipulating the property owners could have 104 events beyond what’s already allowed.
They would also have to build permanent restrooms before the special exception would go into effect.
Dozens of people came to the meeting Tuesday, packing the commission meeting room at the Robert L. Anderson building in South Venice. Many in favor of the request wore white shirts to show support.
John Watson, manager of the Dearborn Coffeehouse and Bakery, said the plan represents an opportunity to get more families to the street, which is a good thing for business. He said he saw a 10-20% bump in business during farmers market days.
“For a small business, that bump is quite a bit,” he said, suggesting more events would mean more business.
Others pointed to potential problems, especially parking in the area when special events take place. There is no provision for parking on the property in the current plan.
Jacqulyn Mack-Majka, who lives nearby, said people attending the current farmers markets will park illegally on empty lots and often in front of her property, blocking her driveway.
“There’s no mechanism to enforce people parking illegally, unless you put a fence around your property, like I did,” she said.
Some said the events would hurt businesses on the street by offering food, drink and merchandise without an investment in a brick-and-mortar building, while others said it would benefit shops and cafes by bringing in foot traffic.
Sarasota County Commissioner Ron Cutsinger, who lives in Englewood and represents the area, said he had a lot of respect for the Hesse family, but aimed several questions to the county’s Planning and Zoning staffs, mainly about the frequency of events and the temporary use process.
“We’re not going to be down there every day, but there’ll be folks who are,” Cutsinger said. “I’m OK with 104 days for the Farmers Market, and then an additional 104 days under the special exception.”
Commission Chair Mike Moran asked questions regarding the plan to use portable toilets, and instructed staff to work up a stipulation that wouldn’t allow the special exception until permanent restrooms are installed.
“I know it puts a burden on the applicant and the property owner, but we feel just everyday people have to put infrastructure into making a binding development concept plan work, and I would be OK with approving it,” Moran said. “I’m OK with approving this the way it is, and nothing happens until the bathrooms are there.”
Brian Faro, paradise exclusive realty co-owner and broker, has been helping the Hesse family along the way. He said that the special exception is only good for three years, so there’s room to deny it in the future.
“If this doesn’t meet the needs in three years, six years, nine years, you have that right or someone else has a right to call it quits, and then the property can move in line with the future land use,” Faro said. “
Cutsinger advised the Hesse family to be good neighbors with the other businesses on Dearborn Street and to keep in mind that it was up to them to make it work.
Faro and the Hesse family were elated with the decision.
“Even if someone is against this, I think once they see it, they’ll be pleasantly surprised,” Faro said. “I think the improvement it’s going to make is just visually alone for Dearborn Street.”
Terri Hesse, wife to Scott Hesse, said that she’s happy to have a chance.
“We’re excited to be able to just try, and give families something to enjoy,” Hesse said. “We’re looking forward to moving forward.”
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