Following an election that produced significant turnover on the Sarasota City Commission, appointments were made to the Planning Board that similarly recast the high-profile advisory panel. Patrick Gannon, president of the Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association, and David Morriss, president of the Indian Beach-Sapphire Shores Association, were appointed to fill open seats on the five-member board. Both appointees said they would carefully balance the needs of neighborhoods and developers, but definitely would have an eye on the future. 

“There is still a desire to maintain and have growth toward a more vibrant city,” said Gannon. The new board member has served in various officer positions, including president, for the Condo on the Bay board, and more recently has been engaged in the Sarasota Bayfront 20:20 Stakeholders Committee. He promised careful deliberation over such matters as comprehensive plan changes, and was hopeful the city would task the Planning Board with investigating the future of the Bayfront. As the city plans its future, he hopes a multi generation vision exists. 

Morriss, who also serves as vice chairman of the North Trail Redevelopment Partnership, looks forward to reviewing recommendations from the Urban Design Studio and to discussing transportation master planning efforts for the city. He said needs for vibrancy need to be balanced with the needs of residents. “Obviously downtown is never going to be dead again,” he said. “It will have some noise to it. But people still live there.” His own interest in the North Trail’s future, he hopes, will serve the city on that front. In Morriss’ assessment, little has been done to help the North Trail redevelop for the past three decades, and he hopes that can change.

Morriss and Gannon join other board members Robert Lindsay, Chris Gallagher and Vlad Svekis. The two replace outgoing members Jennifer Ahearn-Koch and Mort Siegel, who were termed out and could not apply for reappointment.