A Brief History of Siesta Key and The Siesta Key Association

Homesteaders began settling on “Sarasota Key” (now Siesta Key) in the 1880's, but few remained long enough to establish their claims. An exception was Capt. Louis Roberts and his wife, Ocean Hansen Roberts, for whom Ocean Boulevard, Roberts Road and Hansen Bayou are named. In 1906, Capt. Roberts enlarged his house and began calling it the Roberts Hotel. The following year he, along with Harry Higel and E.M. Arbogast, formed the Siesta Land Company. By 1946, the Key was still labeled “Sarasota Key” on government maps, but was called Siesta Key by the County.

In late 1910, E.M. Arbogast began construction of the Bay Island Hotel on the north shore of the Key. Meanwhile, Harry Higel's dredge was busy not only digging the canals and filling low land, but also excavating shell deposits that could be used to surface the roads as they were built.

The canal that leads from Hansen Bayou westward to the recently closed Siesta Fish Market was dug for its shell deposits.

Harry Higel was mayor of Sarasota in 1916 and supported a bond issue that was passed and resulted in the building of the first Siesta Key Bridge in 1917. The second bridge on Stickney Point Road was built by the County in 1926. They platted the subdivision of Siesta on the northern end of the Key.

The Siesta Key Association was founded on November 12, 1948, as a community group which was dedicated to maintaining Siesta Key as an attractive residential area. It is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. It has been a strong advocate for Key residents since then.

The membership of the Siesta Key Association is around 1,700 families. The membership elects 18 members to act as the Board of Directors for a three-year term, meeting once a month throughout the year. They gather facts and figures, consult with government officials, represent the Association at numerous meeting and frequently testifying at hearings before the County Commission and other governmental offices. All are volunteers who serve without compensation.

Throughout the Key, many local neighborhood and condominium associations work for the maintenance or improvement of conditions in their immediate neighborhoods. The Siesta Key Association cooperates with these groups in matters of mutual interest.

The following is a short historical list of our accomplishments during our organization's existence:

1949 — Met with county officials to encourage the creation of the Siesta Key Zoning Code, the first in the county.

1953 — Siesta Key Association was instrumental in developing zoning for Siesta Key and working on obtaining 2/3 signatures of property owners required for approval of zoning. Siesta Key Zoning Code was adopted by Sarasota County Board of County Officials on December 7.

1960 — County decides to expand zoning throughout the county using the Siesta Key Zoning Code as a template.

1966 — After SKA pressed state and county officials, the independent Siesta Key Utilities Authority was created and became one of the best water and sewage systems in the state. It was turned over to the county in 2007 as dictated by the original bond contract provision.

1968 — SKA led a campaign to replace the 1926 Stickney Point Bridge with the current version.

1972 — Led efforts to keep North Siesta Bridge replacement to two-lane versus a four-lane highway.

1973 — SKA worked with county officials to amend the zoning code to reduce density on Siesta Key.

1976 — SKA directors voted to request Sarasota County to purchase waterfront lots to increase the Siesta Key public beach area.

1982 — Led efforts to down-zone building on the Key once again, in support of the County's Comprehensive Plan, resulting in fewer units built on the Key.

1992 — SKA was the leader in the “Save Our Sand” issue, saving our barrier sand bar from being removed to feed the Venice beaches. We continue our vigilance on this matter.

1997-99— SKA convinced the county to create the Siesta Key Overlay District residential standards to separate the district zoning requirements of Siesta Key from the mainland.

2003 — SKA worked with the county to update the zoning code, including the Siesta Key Overlay District, to close loopholes including one that allowed illegal short-term rentals.

2005 — SKA discovered county staff illegally issued permits to property owners that doubled their density on undersized lots. SKA hired a legal team to stop the county from changing the zoning laws to justify the illegal practice.

2007 — Sarasota County Board of County Officials agreed with SKA's position and voted not to change the laws to allow increased density on Siesta Key.

2008 — Worked with Sarasota County staff to add more protections in the Siesta Key Overlay district zoning regulations including improving the definitions of impervious surface and density. SKA also convinced county officials to postpone Beach Road drainage project until more environmental tests are done.

2009 — The challenges will continue to our Key's quality of life. Know that your SKA Board will continue to meet those challenges in every possible way.

Now you know a little bit about the way the Siesta Key Association works and what it has accomplished to preserve one of the most unique communities in Florida. We all recognize the natural beauty of the Island, and we delight in the historic charm of the Village, the beach and the lifestyle they evoke. But we often fail to understand that the preservation of these qualities requires endless attention. Our Board of Directors provides that attention. You will find the Island in its present state thanks in large part to the Siesta Key Association.

Be a part of YOUR ISLAND if you're not already a member. Join the Siesta Key Association today! We need your support. Remember, currently it is only $25 per year to support your Key.

For more information, please contact us
phone 941/364-4880
email info@siestakeyassociation.com