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Venice Today
By the People, for the People
Venice Approves Annexation of Radio Station Land for 43 Homes
The proposed Chalets of Venice development will border the Blackburn Canal.
Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:04am
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The Venice City Council has approved the first reading of three ordinances that will allow for the annexation of 10.12 acres of land owned by a national radio company in south Sarasota County. The land will be developed into a 43-home subdivision called The Chalets of Venice, with a proposed binding master plan that includes a 35-foot height limit and sidewalks on either side of the main road, as well as an 8-foot-wide walking trail south of the Blackburn Canal.
Why it matters
The annexation and development of this land owned by iHeartMedia + Entertainment represents an expansion of residential housing in Venice, a city that has seen increasing demand for new homes. The project will also impact the surrounding Blackburn Canal area and the existing radio tower and production company operations on the southern portion of the parcel.
The details
The Venice City Council voted 6-0 to annex the land and amend the city's future land use map, and 5-1 to make the 10.12-acre site a planned-unit development. Council Member Ron Smith voted against the PUD ordinance, wanting a stipulation to prohibit commercial development. The proposed binding master plan shows as many as 43 townhome-style detached single-family homes, down from an initial 46 units. The plan includes a 35-foot height limit, sidewalks, and an 8-foot-wide walking trail.
- On March 24, 2026, the Venice City Council approved the first reading of the three ordinances.
- The Council must still approve second readings of the ordinances, which could happen as early as April 7, 2026.
The players
Venice City Council
The governing body of the city of Venice, Florida that approved the first reading of the annexation and development ordinances.
iHeartMedia + Entertainment
A national radio company that owns the 20.3-acre parcel of land in south Sarasota County, of which 10.12 acres will be annexed and developed.
The Chalets of Venice
The proposed 43-home subdivision that will be developed on the annexed land.
Ron Smith
A Venice City Council member who voted against the PUD ordinance, wanting to prohibit commercial development.
Jackson Boone
The attorney representing the development project.
What they’re saying
“The development would take up the northern half of a 20.3-acre parcel with an overall address of 282 N. Auburn Road, which is south of Blackburn Canal.”
— Jackson Boone, Attorney
“The southern portion of the land, currently home to a radio tower and a motion picture and video production company, is not part of the annexation application.”
— Jackson Boone, Attorney
What’s next
The Venice City Council must still approve second readings of the ordinances, which could happen as early as April 7, 2026. The proposed binding master plan for The Chalets of Venice development will also need to be reviewed and approved by the Venice Planning Commission at a future meeting.
The takeaway
This annexation and development project represents Venice's continued growth and expansion, as the city seeks to address housing demand by approving new residential communities. However, the project's impact on the surrounding Blackburn Canal area and existing operations will need to be carefully considered.
