NewsSarasota MagazineJune 15, 2026Sarasota County
Sarasota County Sued Over Affordable Housing Projects
Developers and a church have sued Sarasota County after commissioners blocked several apartment projects proposed under Florida's Live Local Act. The legal battle centers on whether the state's affordable housing law allows high-density development in rural and agricultural zones.
Read the full story at Sarasota MagazineWhy It Matters
The outcome of this lawsuit will determine if over 5,000 planned apartment units can proceed in rural Sarasota County and whether the county can legally restrict state-backed housing projects in low-density zoning districts.
Key Facts
- Sarasota County commissioners voted in April to block six of seven proposed projects under the Live Local Act.
- Two lawsuits have been filed against the county by developers and a church in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court.
- A July 1 deadline exists for project submissions to be reviewed under the current version of the Live Local Act before stricter state rules apply.
- More than 5,000 rental units are currently caught in the dispute between the county and developers.
- D.R. Horton has proposed an 864-unit apartment complex near the Celery Fields stormwater collection zone.
- The county argues that 'open-use' zoning districts are not intended for commercial or mixed-use development under the Live Local Act.
- Developers argue that the presence of any commercial activity in a zone, such as veterinarian clinics, qualifies the land for Live Local projects.
- Yeshua’s Love Biblical Fellowship and Curco Land Holdings LLC are suing over a 352-unit project on Fruitville Road.
- SITC Inc. is suing over a project near 2000 Lorraine Road.
- The county has filed a motion to dismiss the first lawsuit.
Who's Mentioned
personRon DeSantis“Governor of Florida.”personTom Knight“Sarasota County Commissioner.”personChristopher Oprison“Attorney representing SITC Inc.”organizationYeshua’s Love Biblical Fellowship“Church entity involved in a lawsuit against the county.”organizationSarasota County“Local government entity being sued for blocking housing projects.”personBill Galvano“Former Florida Senate President and attorney at Grimes Galvano P.L.”organizationSarasota Audubon Society“Environmental group concerned about development near Celery Fields.”organizationD.R. Horton“National homebuilder proposing apartment projects.”personJoe Neunder“Sarasota County Commissioner.”personJoshua Moye“Sarasota County Attorney.”otherLive Local Act“Florida state law intended to increase affordable housing supply.”personDavid Pearce“Deputy County Attorney.”personJack Cox“President of Halfacre Construction and controller of SITC Inc.”organizationCurco Land Holdings LLC“Partner with the church in a housing development project.”