Hearing underway for lawsuit filed by Lakewood Ranch residents against county expansion plan
SARASOTA, Fla. - A four-day hearing is underway in Sarasota County as some residents in the eastern part of the county fight to stop an expansion in Lakewood Ranch.
Back in October, county commissioners unanimously approved changes to their comprehensive plan, allowing for Lakewood Ranch to expand east. Those changes to the county’s 20-year-old 2050 plan, allow for a "village transition zone."
Lakewood Ranch Southeast would bring 5,000 homes to 4,100 acres in East Sarasota County.
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Michael Hutchinson is one of many residents worried his way of life is disappearing.
Some residents want their way of life to remain the same.
"We are less than 1,300 feet from it, and we will be impacted," said Hutchinson.
Hutchinson and another longtime resident filed a lawsuit challenging the Sarasota County Commission’s approval. The hearing started Monday morning and is expected to last four days, with the judge issuing a ruling.
"Everything that it touches and surrounds is rural agricultural large lot, rural lifestyle," explained attorney Richard Grosso.
Attorneys for Sarasota County and Lakewood Ranch said they are in compliance with county laws.
Rural areas in Sarasota County could be changing soon.
In October, County Commissioner Ron Cutsinger told residents the development would improve the area.
"This is my community as well. We moved here 50 years ago, and I love it as well. I believe in voting for this, I’m voting for something that is going to enhance and improve the environment. It will enhance and improve our community," he said.
Hutchinson disagrees and is voicing his concerns once more.
"It’s the right thing to do. Somebody has to do it. Somebody has to step up," he said.