Art Ovation Hotel, located at 1255 N. Palm Avenue in downtown Sarasota, is planning an expansion. The hotel has submitted an application for administrative site plan approval to build above the existing space at the northwest corner. The proposed expansion includes eight new guest rooms, a 450-square-foot office space, and a covered area with a finishing kitchen on the roof.

The new rooftop covered area aims to address complaints about the heat around the pool deck and outdoor bar, providing guests with a more comfortable experience.

Attorney Steve Rees Jr. from the law firm Icard Merrill, along with other hotel representatives, met with the city’s Development Review Committee (DRC) on Tuesday. The discussions focused on minor details, but a significant issue identified was the lack of a recycling plan from the hotel’s initial construction in 2018. Todd Kucharski, General Manager of Public Services, noted this absence and raised concerns about the hotel’s current recycling practices.

The DRC also requires an additional traffic study. The previous study, conducted in February, only accounted for the trip generation from the eight new rooms and did not include the impact of the new commercial space.

Hotel representatives requested a partial sign-off, but the outstanding issues will necessitate a resubmittal and at least one more appearance before the DRC before administrative approval can be granted.