We are Tatum Ridge United
Advocating 
 

 

Tatum Ridge Golf Links

Saved!

 

On May 20, 2025, the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 to deny a request to amend the County's Comprehensive Plan Conservation Subdivision policy.  If adopted, this amendment could have led to the construction of 400+ homes on the Tatum Ridge Golf Links property. 

 

We Won! Now what...

 

Hi Neighbors,

 

Tuesday's 5-0 vote denying a developer's plans to build 400+ homes on the Tatum Golf Links land was decisive and appropriate.  All five commissioners agreed that expanding an already failing Conservation Subdivision policy was bad policy.  Further, as one commissioner said: the applicant's request to build homes on the golf course was "philosophically wrong".  The density had previously been consolidated into the Legend's 162 homes and "common sense" said that placing density back onto the land was not the "intent" of "the promise" made back in 1997.

 

We are pleased with the outcome because we feel the commissioners gave thoughtful consideration to public concerns about the short comings of the current Conservation Subdivision policy and to the specifics of our community.  Commissioner Neunder made a point to thank all of you who attended by saying "It takes a lot of courage to be here...to take time out of your day...you were well organized...well behaved."  

 

Your involvement made a difference.  117+ concerned citizens sat for 8 hours to make their voices heard.  You should feel proud of your efforts.  Thank you! Enjoy the win.  

 

Please agree to commit your future participation and unity -  developers rarely just go away.  Tatum Ridge must stay United.  We will commit to continuing to be part of this movement and expanding it.  Will you too?   Our Unity is our Strength.  Stay Tatum Ridge United.

 

• Going forward, TRUSRQ.org will be the landing spot for our community association.  Please bookmark it and make sure our emails don't get caught in your spam folder. I'll put up more photos and if you have your own photos you'd like to share send them to info@trusrq.org

 

• TRU will become a real association - more on that soon.

 

• A PARTY is in order and one is in the works.  Looking for party animals to help plan. Send an email to info@trusrq.org

 

• We are planning to nominate a subcommittee who will actively monitor the horizon so that we won't be caught flatfooted again.

 

• And we are considering some strategic options and ways to work actively with our Commissioners so that our interests - and the interests of similar groups - are kept at the forefront of policy making.

 

Without each of you, the outcome may well have been different.  Your involvement came in all forms: emails, personal visits, pledges for donations, attendance at meetings, speaking, wearing yellow.... And it all worked well.  Thank you everyone!!!!!  Thank you to the speakers, Jim Wallace, Susan Shoettle Gumm, Bud Gaunce, Scott Featherman, Lisa Sykes, Betsy Freeman, John Davis, Tom Widen, and Duane "The Closer" Henderson who practiced and delivered.  Thank you to our conditional speakers - while you didn't get a chance to speak, you gave your time to the cause.  Thank you to our Sponsors for lending their name and reputation to our cause.  Thank you to those of you who unilaterally offered money.  We don't need it!  Thank you Lois and Dan Stimax.  Thank you Kelly Anderson, Trevor Hind and Jim Scordato.  Thank you Jaci Harris and Lorraine Massaro.  Thanks to Bob & Tom @ CTI Printing (https://ctiprinting.com/).  

 

And, again, thank you to those residents who called in sick to work, found daycare, took a vacation day, and spent the day to make it happen.

 

We owe immense gratitude to Ron Collins, Chris Bales, Susan Shoettle Gumm, and Laura without whom we'd have lost.  Their knowledge, strategy, insight, professionalism, and selflessness are humbling and inspiring.  Laura called out of the blue and asked: "did you know they want to develop your golf course?" We didn't. Without Laura we'd have learned of their plans only when they began digging foundations. Attorney Susan provided good counsel and valuable experience. Chris led the Speaker Team and the results were spectacular. And Ron Collins... a superconductor of energy, inside knowledge, passion and conviction. Dude..we owe you . Thank you all! ​