Homebuilder takes $3.9M step toward 108-home community

SARASOTA — Despite still waiting on the Sarasota County Commission's approval for redevelopment, U.S. Senate candidate Carlos Beruff's firm closed on the sale of the former Gulf Gate Golf Course.

Medallion Home bought 49 acres near South Tamiami Trail and Bispham Road for $3.9 million this month, according to Sarasota County filings. The move comes after the Sarasota County Planning Commission's May 5 endorsement of the homebuilder's plans to develop a 108-home gated community on the course.

Hundreds of Gulf Gate residents had protested the plan's density and privacy features with yard signs, postings on the Gulf Gate Community Association website and a sizable presence — all wearing red — at the May 5 meeting, according to the Sarasota Observer, sister paper of the Business Observer.

“There is no reason for the current zoning to be changed,” the GGCA posted in a statement on its website. “Current zoning respects the property rights of all by allowing for reasonable development of the golf course property while not overburdening the existing community.”

But based on the county's future land use map encouraging infill and the demand for golf course redevelopment statewide, the planning commission ultimately recommended the county commission approve the rezone at a meeting in July.

“You don't like the name Carlos, but he's doing a job — he's a developer here,” Planning Commissioner Jack Bispham told those in opposition during the meeting. “If it's not him, it's going to be one of the other guys (to develop the course).”