Sarasota County approves first village of Hi Hat Ranch

Sarasota County commissioners voted 3–1 on Oct. 7 to approve the first village of Hi Hat Ranch, a development of nearly 10,000 acres in east Sarasota County between Fruitville and Clark Roads. The rezoning covers about 2,000 acres off Bee Ridge Road and allows up to 3,000 homes, out of the more than 13,000 allowed under the project's 2021 master plan. Developers say about 57% of the village is set aside as open space, and they will extend Bee Ridge Road and put about $14 million toward widening part of it. The same vote moved a planned county sports complex to Fruitville Road. Commissioner Tom Knight cast the no vote, and Commissioner Joe Neunder was absent. Critics raised concerns about wetlands, traffic, stormwater and water quality, and county staff noted the village has no village center, which county policy expects. Some residents said they only learned of the sports complex move days before the vote.