County Weighs Land Purchase: Sarasota County rejects 126-home deal; eyes conservation buy

Sarasota County officials have rejected a proposed settlement that would have permitted a 126-home subdivision beside the Celery Fields, opting instead to explore purchasing the disputed property for conservation and stormwater management. The decision, reported by Sarasota Magazine on October 8, 2026, follows a prolonged legal battle involving homebuilder D.R. Horton, the property owners and the county over development rights on approximately 51 acres along Raymond Road. The move leaves the litigation unresolved but opens the possibility of protecting the land through public ownership rather than residential construction.County considers acquisition after rejecting settlementAt an October 6 meeting, county commissioners voted unanimously against the settlement and separately directed county administration and the county attorney’s office to negotiate with D.R. Horton and the Smith Farm property owners over a potential purchase.The decision does not commit the county to buying the property. Officials have yet to establish a purchase price, identify funding or set a timetable for negotiations. Any acquisition would depend on the parties agreeing to acceptable terms.Commissioners str...