Two visions of land: one sees it as ancient, irreplaceable, having a unique aura all its own - as the Romans used to say, the genius loci - spirit of place. The other sees it as property, just a quantity of matter to be carved up, platted, commodified, and sold in an utterly conventional and banal manner. The developers and builders who spoke at last evenings marathon public hearing seem to have had nothing but more of same on their minds. While Pat Neal went on about his Grand Palm, I googled it - its exactly the same sort of thing builders have been depositing all over Florida. So heres an idea: put into the 2050 plan a stipulation to the effect that no village, hamlet, gated whatnot or bogus rural thingumbob shall be permitted unless it meets the criteria of a group of discerning Sarasotans, none of whom are planners, zoners, or commissioners. Just people whove been here, loved it here, and wish the land to retain some vestige of what it is they loved. Call it the Taste of Sarasota - byob.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:03:19 +0000
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