09/10/2026
BIG CHANGES COULD BE COMING TO EASTERN SARASOTA COUNTY
A major new development is moving forward in eastern Sarasota County—and it could have a significant impact on growth throughout the area.
The Sarasota County Commission voted 4–0 on September 8 to give preliminary approval to the Palmer Ranch East proposal, moving the related Comprehensive Plan amendment forward to the state for review.
The proposed community would span approximately 2,351 acres east of I-75 and could eventually include:
• Up to 5,702 homes
• As many as 500 attainable-housing units
• A mixed-use Town Center near I-75 and SR 681
• Up to 1.48 million square feet of commercial, office and light-industrial space
This won’t happen overnight. The project is envisioned as roughly a 20-year buildout, and there are still several steps ahead, including additional zoning, neighborhood planning and approvals as individual areas are developed.
Transportation will be a major part of the conversation. Plans involving the Lorraine Road extension, improvements around SR 681 and I-75, and additional roadway connections could significantly change how people travel through eastern Sarasota County.
For residents and property owners in Osprey, Palmer Ranch, Nokomis and Venice, this is a development worth watching. A project of this size has the potential to affect housing inventory, employment opportunities, traffic patterns, infrastructure and property values throughout the surrounding area.
Source: Reporting by Earle Kimel, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sept. 9, 2026. Additional project details cross-checked with Sarasota County planning information.
