NORTH MANASOTA KEY

North Manasota Key is a unique and amazing barrier island in south Sarasota County, Florida. The key is approximately 2 miles long with a single lane sand roadway owned by the residents. This neighborhood is gated and guarded at the south end of the key and dead ends at the north end of the key. The residents maintain the roadway and because it is a private lane, and not a public throughway, only residents, invited guests and employees of residents are offered entryway to the key. A 10 mile per hour speed limit is posted. It's not unusual to see walkers, runners, bikers, dog walkers and baby strollers enjoying our private roadway. During the summer rains the road can be muddy and bumpy and during the dry winters it is oftendusty, but the community makes every effort to keep it in good shape, while maintaining the natural state it represents.

Having a gate, and private roadway offers the residents of North Manasota Key the security and safety not always possible on other barrier island settings. Each resident accepts the responsibility of maintaining the green canopy of the lane in front of their property by allowing a 12 foot wide and 14 foot high clearance for emergency medical and fire vehicles. There is no formal "turn around" location at the north end of the key so residents are expected to provide turn around space on their own properties for all vehicles visiting their property; this includes deliveries as well as guest vehicles.

The North Manasota Key Association was established to represent the interests of property owners on the key. Various committees have been established over the years to accomplish this purpose, made up of residents who volunteer their time and talents. Most prominent are the committees for the road, gate and security and coastal/beach related issues. Each property owner is expected to pay an annual dues amount of $1500. The dues pay for the cost of providing maintenance the gate and call box, grading the roadway and purchasing road materials. In addition, during a period of construction, the property owner will be billed a special construction assessment fee annually for upkeep due to added wear and tear on the road from heavy trucks and equipment.

North Manasota Key is a part of the Manasota Key Conservation District, established by the Florida legislature with the intent of setting density requirements for use of the land, restricting the use of the land to single family residential and prohibiting unreasonable destruction of natural vegetation when harmful to wildlife or when it would contribute to pollution. This is a special district that protects our area from multi family high rises and widespread cutting of the natural vegetation that provides habitat for water and shore life. We enjoy the summer trips the sea turtles make to lay their eggs on our beaches and we partner with Sarasota County by allowing the Turtle Patrol volunteers access to the beach to monitor the egg laying and hatching activities.

North Manasota Key has enjoyed 60+ years of community spirit by way of good communication and cooperation between the association board and committees and all residents. This is not a rental community. This is a community of home owners who enjoy the privacy, safety, security, beauty and natural life on a small barrier island.