Sarasota County commissioners approved Palmer East on Sept. 8, a plan for 5,700 homes and nearly 1.5 million square feet of commercial space on roughly 2,350 acres near Nokomis.

The 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Joe Neunder absent, cleared three ordinances and a comprehensive plan amendment transmittal to the state. The project would be built over 20 years east of the Interstate 75 interchange at State Road 681 in south Sarasota County.

Developer Behind Project Faced Earlier Public Hearings

Palmer Ranch Holdings, led by Hugh Culverhouse Jr., is developing the project through McCann East Limited Partnership, the Business Observer reported. The Sarasota County Planning Commission held public hearings on the proposal in April and June before it reached the full commission, as we reported Sept. 7.

Town Center Would Anchor Interchange Development

A centerpiece of the plan is a town center near the I-75 interchange that would include up to 1,000 residential units. Of those, 500 would be reserved for households earning 80% of area median income. The town center also calls for 600,000 square feet of commercial space, 630,000 square feet of office space and 250,000 square feet of light industrial space.

Interchange Upgrade Funding Could Move Up

Construction of the town center hinges on converting the I-75/State Road 681 interchange to full access. Funding to design that conversion is planned for 2029, though state officials have indicated it could move up to 2028, according to Stantec consultant Frank Domingo, who presented at the hearing.

Developer Cites Need for Business Space

Palmer Ranch Holdings President Justin Powell told commissioners the county lacks space for growing businesses. "We also have homegrown businesses that need to grow, and we don't have sites for them," he said.

Officials Project Thousands of New Jobs

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County estimated the town center would create 1,766 jobs and generate $130 million in cumulative income for county residents, according to Williams Parker attorney Charlie Bailey, who represented Palmer Ranch Holdings at the hearing.

Commission Chair Ron Cutsinger, who said he had served on the EDC advisory board, said the county needed space for businesses looking to relocate. He called the town center an opportunity to bring "high-paying, meaningful, sustainable year-round jobs" to the community.

Commissioner Mark Smith said he supported the project because of the employment it would bring.

State Review Is Next Step for Project

The Florida Department of Commerce will now review the town center portion of the proposal. After that review, the project returns to commissioners for another vote. No date for that hearing has been set.