Gas Station and Water Reclamation Facility Among Issues Slated for Thursday Land Use Meeting

BRADENTON -- At Thursday's Land Use Meeting, Manatee County Commissioners will consider approval for a North Water Reclamation Facility, an Upper Manatee River Road development, a subdivision at Tillett Bayou Preserve and a Race Trac gas station on Pearl Avenue.

The North Water Reclamation Facility and Water Treatment Plant (NWRF) will require special approvals. A two-compartment fuel depot will be added, comprised of a 20,000-gallon above-ground tank for diesel, and a 1,000 gallon gasoline tank, plus a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank to support EPA compliance. The facility will be operated by the county.

Commissioners will also be considering approval for a 64-acre site that proposes to build 163 single-family detached homes at 615 Upper Manatee River Road. This also requires special considerations because of the location of nearby Gates Creek.

Tillett Bayou Preserve subdivision is also on the agenda. It is a 41-acre site with a proposed 15 lots (trimmed down from 34) located between Bayshore Drive and Tillett Bayou on Center Road. The property is located adjacent to a perennial stream and in the Coastal Evacuation Area. The project is also located in a Coastal High Hazard Overlay District.

Last on the agenda is the highly-contested Pearl Avenue/U.S. 41 "Race Trac" convenience store and gas station. Environmental and community issues surround the project.