Michael Holderness says the controversial Siesta Key land swap should be celebrated, not second-guessed.

In a July 15 interview following the Sarasota County Commission’s approval of a revised settlement with Beach Lots LLC, Holderness said the agreement creates permanent public beach access near Beach Access 3, resolves a federal lawsuit and protects part of the beachfront property from future development.

Commissioners voted 4-1 on July 7 to approve the revised settlement, with Commissioner Mark Smith opposed. The agreement reduced the county’s payment to Holderness from $500,000 to $400,000 and allowed the exchange to proceed after months of debate over litigation risk, property values, public beach access and the county-owned parcel at 162 Beach Road, which was purchased with Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program funds.

Under the agreement, the county would transfer 162 Beach Road to Holderness and grant a coastal setback variance allowing construction on the property. In exchange, Beach Lots would convey several Siesta Key parcels to the county. A parcel with a title issue, known as Lot 26, was removed from the exchange.

“What’s good about it is the county took a 50-foot-wide, non-beachfront property,” Holderness said. “They traded it for a property that provides permanent public beach access and a substantial stretch of usable sandy beach.”

Holderness said the county-owned parcel had limited value apart from his adjoining land because it is narrow, lacks direct Gulf frontage and sits landward of property he already owns. He said the property has value to him because it can be combined with his adjoining land and developed under the coastal setback variance.

“I own that outer lot, so that’s why that 50-foot lot was worthless to anybody else,” Holderness said. “But it was worth something to me because I own the gulf-front lot.”

Holderness said he plans to combine 162 Beach Road with Lot 16, sell the property and place conservation protections on Lot 16, the seaward parcel. He said the conservation easement would prevent the protected area from being developed or fenced.

“This land out here will never be developed or fenced off or anything,” Holderness said. “It’s preservation.”

He also said he placed a restriction on future construction, limiting any home to two stories above parking rather than the taller structure he said county code would otherwise allow. Holderness said the restriction could reduce the property’s value but would help keep the home tucked behind another building.

“I didn’t do this for the money,” he said. “I did this to get a public beach.”

Holderness also rejected concerns raised during the commission meeting that other owners of similar beachfront parcels could file lawsuits against the county after seeing the settlement. He said he told commissioners he has no intention of bringing another lawsuit.

“I don’t want to sue you guys,” Holderness said. “I tell you what our needs are, and I expect them to be fulfilled. It’s not hard.”

He acknowledged, however, that other property owners could have pursued claims had his federal lawsuit continued and succeeded. He said the settlement gives the county time to address similar access issues before they result in additional litigation.

“I just bought you guys three years of time, so let’s use it,” he said.

Holderness said he hopes county parks staff will identify other privately owned parcels that could provide public beach access.

“It benefits us all because the statewide average is 40% public beaches, and Siesta Key is 10%,” he said.

Holderness said one reason the Beach Lots parcels carried low taxable values is that long-standing public use of the land deprived him of practical private use. He said the property appraiser’s figures should not be confused with market value.

“It’s not market value; it’s taxable value,” he said.

He described the years before the settlement as chaotic, saying the property was effectively treated as a public beach without county park rules, enforcement authority or liability protection. He said that left him responsible for problems on land he could not reasonably control.

“When you pose private property as a public beach, there are no park and recreation rules in place,” Holderness said.

He said people dug holes during sea turtle nesting season, left trash and fireworks after holidays, drove vehicles on the property and created safety problems. He also said he paid to clean and maintain the property despite the public use.

Now, Holderness said, the same area can be managed as a public beach with rules and potential county resources.

“That land deserves to be treated with respect,” he said.

Holderness said the county will name the beach access, commonly referred to as Sunset Point, in honor of his mother, Judy Holderness, as part of the settlement. He said he hopes the dedication becomes part of a broader celebration of the new public beach.

“Turtle Beach is public because it’s nourished. The main beach is public because the county owns it, and now we have a public beach in the Village,” Holderness said. “This is something to be celebrated, and I greatly thank the commission for its decision.”