CONTACT SARASOTA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS – Gulf Gate Golf Course

The Gulf Gate Community Association, urges all residents to contact the Sarasota County Commissioners to encourage the county to acquire the Gulf Gate Golf Course property.

Instructions for Use

  1. Copy the text below into a document or email.
  2. Fill in the bracketed information (e.g., [Your Name]).
  3. Send to the Sarasota County Commissioners 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd.
    Sarasota, FL 34240

Subject: URGENT: Opposition to Gulf Gate Golf Course Development & Request for Public Acquisition

To the Sarasota County Board of Commissioners,

I am writing as a resident of Gulf Gate to express my deep concern regarding the proposed development of the former Gulf Gate Golf Course. While I appreciate the County’s ongoing efforts related to storm recovery and long‑term mitigation, as well as the thoughtful planning presented through Resilient SRQ, I believe allowing development on this specific property directly contradicts our shared goals of storm recovery and long-term flood mitigation.

As you are aware, our community is still grappling with the physical and financial impacts of recent three severe weather events. The former golf course sits at a critical point within the Matheny Creek and Elligraw Bayou drainage basins. Civil engineer Steve Suau has identified this land as a vital component for stormwater retention. Developing this site with impervious surfaces would endanger approximately 7,500 living units downstream.

I am formally urging the Commission to:

  • Immediately halt any further advancement of the proposed development on this property.
  • Explore the use of eminent domain to acquire the land for the public’s benefit.

By securing this land for public use, Sarasota County can proactively protect thousands of existing homes, create a large-scale filtration system, and preserve essential greenspace. This is a rare opportunity to prioritize long-term resilience over short-term development gains.

We cannot afford to repeat the planning mistakes of the past. I respectfully ask that you take decisive action to protect our homes and our environment before irreversible harm is done.

Thank you for your leadership and for considering the safety of the Gulf Gate community.

Sincerely,

[Your First & Last Name] [Your Address in Gulf Gate] [Your Email/Phone Number]

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