Breaking News: Staff Reverses Recommendation for Aqua by the Bay

BRADENTON – After TBT went to press on Friday for our weekly edition, we received word that staff at the Manatee County Planning Department had reversed their decision on Carlos Beruff's Aqua by the Bay project and have recommended that the Manatee County Commission deny the application at a special meeting on Wednesday.

This past Thursday, the Manatee County Planning Commission took up the application, which had a staff recommendation to approve at the time. Planning commissioners, however, picked apart the recommendation, after members of the public–many of whom brought very credible expertise to the table–gave hours' worth of public comment explaining why the application violated a number of county policies and was incompatible with both the surrounding area and comprehensive land use plan. The commission voted 3-1 to recommend denial.

While opponents of the project marched in unity against its approval at the corner of 75th and Cortez road on Friday, a new staff report was released recommending denial. Staff has finally conceded several points that experts and activists have been arguing through the entire process, namely, that the proposed buffer is deficient, and that the height and location of the high-rise buildings does not comply with the comp plan. Staff is also now recommending that an overall layout of the entire project be submitted with the future Preliminary and Final Site Plan submittals for administrative review.

The final decision, however, remains in the hands of county commissioners–many of whom have a record of voting favorably on projects submitted by Beruff–when they vote on the matter during a special meeting on Wednesday. In an email to fellow activists, former Manatee County Commissioner Jane von Hahmann stressed that it was still "probably more important than ever" to show up to Wednesday's meeting and voice support for the new staff recommendation.

Click here to read the staff report and recommended action. Wednesday's meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. in the BOCC chambers at the county administration building. Click here to email your commissioner and let them know your position on this action.