Sarasota, FL Aerial Drone – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Suncoast Aerials
A project to construct about 9,000 homes as part of the Winchester Ranch development along North Port has been recommended for approval by the Sarasota County Planning Commission. The final decision will be made by the county commission at some point in early 2026.
Depending on the Sarasota County Commission’s final approval, Winchester Ranch, a project by the Wellen Park developers, is anticipated to begin construction in 2027 or 2028. The Myakka State Forest will be in close proximity to the proposed development.
Winchester Ranch: What is it?
The developer is requesting permission to build on 2,433 acres of land in North Port that were previously designated as “rural.” Up to 8,999 residences, 100,000 square feet of commercial space, and 100,000 square feet of industrial space make up the 3,148-acre development area.
Due to certain procedural issues, Winchester Ranch must go back to the county for approval of the rezone even though the majority of the development was already approved in 2021. Since then, the political atmosphere in the area has become noticeably more cautious of development. Early in 2026, the Sarasota County Commission is expected to review and ultimately approve the rezone petition.
One of the American cities with the quickest rates of growth is North Port. In October 2025, the median sale price of residences there was approximately $340,045—a 14% drop from three years prior. Redfin reports that at that time, the number of homes sold that month has almost doubled. Although they have lately leveled down, Sarasota County home prices have risen by almost 42% since 2020.
The arrival of Winchester Ranch in Sarasota County coincides with a surge in state-wide development, which has angered many locals about rising traffic, rising home costs, and environmental damage.
Who backed the petition for Winchester Ranch?
Commissioner Jon Thaxton was the only member who disagreed with the planning commission’s 7-1 recommendation of Winchester Ranch to the county board. Thaxton, a former county commissioner and well-known environmentalist, publicly opposed the project.
“I’m not sure where to start with this petition,” Thaxton stated at the meeting. “I have argued against such developments for more than 40 years.”
He was also concerned about how the development might affect the Myakka State Forest.
Other planning commissioners, including Commissioner Mitzie Fiedler and Vice Chair John LaCivita, appeared to believe that developers would take the initiative to reduce construction when the market slowed.
According to LaCivita, “the developers will eventually stop building houses because they don’t want to lose money either.” The phrase “they’re in it for the money” bothers me. Their motivation is to make money. Everybody is in business. All of us are in business to make money. If not, we wouldn’t report to work every day. Our goal is to generate revenue. I will thus support this proposal.
LaCivita is the CEO and president of a nearby construction company.
The development was represented at the planning commission meeting by development attorney Bill Merrill of the law firm Icard Merrill. Merrill countered that Winchester Ranch complied with state laws pertaining to animal corridors and environmental buffers.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal is a recent graduate from the University of Miami with professional writing experience at the collegiate and national news outlet levels. She’s a foodie who loves all things travel, the beach, & visiting new places throughout Florida.