🍦Manatee County Boundary & Casa Masa

Happy Tuesday, Sarasota!

Before we get into this week’s Scoop, I have a quick favor to ask: follow us on social media! Here’s a link to our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Last week, I asked you all about what “Guide to Sarasota” you most wanted to see. Outdoor Gems & Breweries seemed to be the big winners, so I will get working on putting those together.

There was also a lot of interest in the “Guide to Sarasota” for Cafes & Breakfast Spots, so I will work on those after.

Hope you all enjoy the Easter season with friends and family. I’ve included some Easter-themed events below, but largely it is a slower weekend as everyone enjoys the holiday.

Before we jump in, can you let me know what you think?

In today’s edition of the Sarasota Scoop:

• Manatee County Planning Commission Votes

• Casa Masa Update

• Tons of local events!

Thanks for reading,

Carson

📰 Local News

🏘️ Boundary Exceptions No More in Manatee

What’s new: The Manatee County Planning Commission voted to eliminate exceptions that allowed development projects to bypass urban boundary lines separating urban and rural areas.

Why it matters: The change ends a decades-long policy and signals a tightening of development rules meant to preserve rural land.

🧱 The details:

• In a 4-2 vote, the commission agreed to remove a clause in the comprehensive plan that previously allowed “boundary line adjustments” under specific conditions.

• The clause had enabled developers to extend urban development into rural areas without a full-scale comprehensive plan amendment.

📍 Background:

• The county’s 2040 comprehensive plan includes a Future Development Area Boundary (FDAB), which controls where urban growth is allowed.

• The boundary was created to prevent “urban sprawl” and promote orderly growth.

👀 Zoom out:

• While the clause wasn’t often used, it became a point of concern for planning staff and environmental advocates who argued it could be exploited.

• Staff emphasized that the FDAB was established to create predictability and that exceptions undermined its purpose.

📆 What’s next: The vote is a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners, which has final say on comprehensive plan amendments.

Read more

⭐️ Restaurant Opening: Casa Masa

Casa Masa has been a go-to for fresh, flavorful Mexican food since it first opened on Bee Ridge about five years ago. Locals know it for its signature blue corn tortillas, made fresh daily using a traditional method called nixtamalization.

That might sound like a mouthful, but it’s the process that gives their tortillas their distinct taste and texture; plus a boost of natural nutrients. Their whole menu is built around that perfect tortilla, and it’s part of why people keep coming back.

Good news: Casa Masa just opened a second location at The Landings, so if you’re craving tacos with serious flavor (and no drive over to Bee Ridge), you’re in luck.

If you end up there, tell ‘em the Sarasota Scoop sent you!

Thursday

Comedy Night at the Pavilion

📍 Town Center Green, LBK | 🕦 4:30pm - 6pm | 🔗 details

Open Jam Night

📍 Big Top Live, Fruitville | 🕦 6pm - 9pm | 🔗 details

LECOM Suncoast Classic (Golf)

📍Lakewood National Golf Club, Lakewood | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details

Manatee Music Series

📍GT Bray Amphitheater, Bradenton | 🕦 6pm - 8pm | 🔗 details

Big 10 Women's Rowing Invitational Regatta

📍Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details

Beethoven’s Ninth: the SCF Symphony

📍SCF Neel PAC, Bradenton | 🕦 7:30pm | 🔗 details

Friday

School Day Out

📍Longwood Park, Sarasota | 🕦 7:30am - 5:30pm | 🔗 details

Pop Up In The Park: Ashton Trailhead

📍Ashton Trailhead, Sarasota | 🕦 10am - 12pm | 🔗 details

Intermediate Mat Pilates Class

📍Lakewood Ranch Library | 🕦 10am - 11am | 🔗 details

Good Friday with Tim Tebow

📍Payne Park, Sarasota | 🕦 5:30pm | 🔗 details

Comedy Show: Dean Napolitano

📍McCurdy's Comedy Theatre | 🕦 Multiple shows | 🔗 details

Sights + Sounds at Waterside Place

📍Waterside Place, LWR | 🕦 6pm - 7pm | 🔗 details

Tribute to Frankie Valli

📍Sarasota Opera House | 🕦 7:30pm | 🔗 details

Saturday

Easter Egg Hunt

📍Siesta Key Chapel, Siesta Key | 🕦 9am - 11am | 🔗 details

Keep Manatee Beautiful

📍13th AV Dream Center, Bradenton | 🕦 9am - 2pm | 🔗 details

Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny

📍Playtime Plaza, Sarasota | 🕦 9:30am | 🔗 details

Easter Egg Hunt

📍Children's Garden and Art Center, Sarasota | 🕦 10am | 🔗 details

2025 Eggstravaganza

📍Centennial Park, Venice | 🕦 10am - 12pm | 🔗 details

Plant Clinic

📍Shamrock Park & Nature Center, Venice | 🕦 10am - 12pm | 🔗 details

Easter Fest 2025

📍Lakewood Ranch Park | 🕦 11am - 1pm | 🔗 details

Live Music: Easy Street Band

📍Town Center Green, LBK | 🕦 4:30pm - 8pm | 🔗 details

Sunday

Happy Easter!

Easter Brunch Buffet

📍Grove, Lakewood Ranch | 🕦 10am - 3pm | 🔗 details

Easter Brunch

📍Selby Gardens | 🕦 See details | 🔗 details

Concert: Power Couple

📍See Details | 🕦 4pm | 🔗 details

PLAN AHEAD

The Music of ABBA

📍Van Wezel PAC | 📆 April 29th | 🔗 details

Country Hits: Songs From Nashville

📍Ed Smith Stadiums | 📆 May 2-3 | 🔗 details

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