A request to rezone a 35-acre property in South Sarasota County to allow for a 110-home subdivision off of Englewood Road won support from Sarasota County Commissioners on Monday, with officials vowing to keep an eye on natural resources as the project moves forward.

The approval was a major step for the Rapalo development, planned on a 35.25-acre parcel adjacent to the existing Ventura Village community. The zoning for the property was changed from Open Use Estate to Residential Single-Family, allowing for development with a density of up to 5.5 units per acre. Residents from the neighboring project raised concerns about the potential boost in traffic, particular as school bus stops are locate on major roads in the vicinity.

Sarasota County Commissioner Christine Robinson said concerns among neighbors about potential traffic issues and safety matters will be be followed, but ultimately many of those concerns are handled by the state or other government entities. “We as a body are much more limited than people think we are,” Robinson said, “especially when we are talking about state roads, state studies, and not just about transportation but wildlife and other areas.”