Manasota Beach Road in south Sarasota County will be expanding, as the current plan aims to provide a faster route to Manasota Key Beach for some Venice and Englewood residents.
Sarasota commissioners approved the project, which supporters believe will benefit residents. However, this plan has stirred concerns among residents who view the potential environmental, traffic and flooding impacts.
Kelly Bauman owns a 10-acre property on East Manasota Road and says the dirt road outside her home, thanks to the plan, will now transform into a paved, two-lane road.
"It's a misappropriation of funds. It's not necessary. It's a matter of convenience," said Bauman.
The expansion will extend Manasota Beach Road by two miles, connecting Wellen Park to Englewood and providing an alternative to U.S. Route 41. This development will occur right outside Bauman's residence.
Bauman's primary concerns are flooding and wildlife. Her property experienced flooding during Hurricane Ian, and she fears an elevated road will worsen the situation.
"We nearly completely flooded with Ian. So, we have a serious problem with flooding," said Bauman. "And if we add another road, that's only going to make matters worse."
Additionally, she worries about the impact on local wildlife, including gopher tortoises.
"The wetlands and the gopher tortoises and all the wildlife that exist on the property across from our property will completely be impacted," said Bauman. "There's no place else for them to go. And at what risk do you say we're going to put a road in for convenience for others and destroy property and wildlife and risk the livelihood of people that are already existing here?"
Bauman is asking commissioners to stop.
"At what risk do you say we're going to put a road in for convenience for others and destroy property and wildlife?" she said.
The project, which was unanimously approved by local commissioners, has also raised questions about the transparency of the decision-making process. Bauman noted that residents were not adequately informed before the approval and had limited input.
"Some of the other communities were directly informed, but we, the existing people on East Manasota Beach Road, were not," said Bauman. "We found out and then, you know, kind of last minute went up to the commissioners meeting."
Bauman emphasized the importance of preserving the area's natural beauty, which she describes as emblematic of "old Florida." Despite these concerns, the $15 million project received unanimous approval from Sarasota commissioners.
"People come here because they love Florida, the beaches, the wildlife, and we are trying to protect what we have," she said.
Residents are calling for alternative solutions that would protect the environment and address their concerns.