Last month, the Sarasota City Commission voted to create a new botanical garden zone district as part of Selby Gardens' Compromise Master Plan for its downtown Sarasota campus. The second step in this process will take place Monday, Jan. 4, at 6 p.m., when the city commissioners will hold the second reading on the gardens' Zoning Text Amendment and the first hearings on the site plan, rezone and easement vacation.

An agenda can be found here and those interested may watch the proceedings live here. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there is very limited space for citizens to participate in-person. Those wishing to to speak virtually can email the [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 30 to receive instructions on how to participate. Written comments to the commissioners and for the public record are also welcome by email at [email protected].