County Commissioners' Land Use Meeting June 3

BRADENTON -- Aside from one continuance, everything on the meeting agenda was approved. The plans included multiple large developments, a private sign the size of a billboard and a new MTI school. However, the issue that drew in the most public attention was the absolute last on the schedule, a rezone of a small neighborhood in order to build ten houses. There were several heated discussions throughout the meeting, which lasted all day.

The issue was focused on the plans for Bayou Pointe Estates. A land developer wanted to rezone and build in an area that is surrounded by farms and previously zoned agricultural. Civilians were the most passionate about this issue, which may have been better positioned as a time specific item earlier in the meeting. Unfortunately for the public, one commissioner had taken leave in the middle of the meeting and another didn’t vote.

After six neighbors pleaded with the commission not to rezone a 22 acre span that served as a habitat for such wildlife as bald eagles and according to the neighbors, even panthers, the committee voted in favor of the builder 3-1.  

Commissioner McClash was the only commissioner who opposed it, even motioning to approve it with the stipulation that only six houses be built instead of the ten originally in the plans. After hearing testimonies against development from almost all the neighbors in the area, the other commissioners wouldn’t budge.

The builders had made several changes to the plans since 2006, when the original preparations were submitted for consideration to the board.  The site is north of the Manatee River on 25 St E (Lyntor Road) in Parrish.

Another hot topic was the new sign for the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex (JP Igloo). The commission voted to allow a new sign that would be 880 square foot with a 220 square foot logo. It would be the largest in Manatee County, comparable to that of the Tropicana Field sign. The sports center says they are going to work with the sheriff’s department to display things like amber alerts and emergencies within the community, which would be exhibited digitally on the sign.  

Commissioner Brown motioned to approve the applicant before he was even finished presenting. The board approved it 4-2, even without staff recommended size reductions of about half of what was offered. Commissioners Hayes and McClash voted against the measure.

The board passed plans for a new MTI school site, after much debate about the effect if would have on traffic at SR 70. The site, located off of Caruso Road, was passed with a few revisions including the need for some traffic determent. The applicant is meeting with the DOT in order to get a traffic light approved for the project.

A few people showed up for the Heritage Sound development, which is 106 acres, set to be developed north of SR 64 with houses in an already subdivided district. The main concern with the people from neighboring communities was an intersection that currently has a stop sign, which  is frequently ignored. They were concerned that more development would cause more traffic and requested that a stop light be put in. The commission approved the plans unanimously, with the adaption that a round-a-bout be put where the neglected stop sign stands, which seemed to please the public.

Click here for the meeting agenda and supporting documents