Local Government Parrish Residents Finally Get Their Deal

BRADENTON -- At Thursday's Land Use Meeting, the BOCC once again considered the Springfield Subdivision application. This time it was for 12 homes on 11.91 acres of property on the north side of 25th Street East (Lyntnor Road), approximately 2,380 feet east of 80th Avenue East (Royal Palm Way).

The history is lengthy. Mr. Chung, the applicant, was denied a permit in 2002 after he purchased the land. He wanted to put in a small 29-home development -- a plan that neighbors were sure would end the rural life they knew. After modifications to the plans and repeated efforts to change the development code, Chung's plan was finally recommended by county staff. He has modified the plans from 29 homes down to 23, then to 19, on the 11.9 acre piece of land.

The community won't budge. They insisted the plans reflect what has been there for years. Chung's last proposal was December 1, 2011, where the number of units had dropped to 12. Residents still disagreed, and insisted six homes was the highest acceptable number.

Thursday, planners came forward with their new plan, but still with 12 homes on the 12 acres. This time there was a fence surrounding the property and the Parkwood access road had been cut out of the design. Emergency responders said with the lower number, emergency access would not be an issue, but the neighborhood opposition would have nothing to do with it.

It seemed the commissioners were going to approve the application as it was when Commissioner DiSabatino and commissioner Gallen commented on the importance of preserving the neighborhood. Commissioner McClash said, "It is about the unique character of the neighborhood," and then quickly made a motion to limit the permit to no more than six houses, and no lot less than one acre. The motion was seconded, and then approved 5 to 2, Whitmore and Hayes dissenting. 

The 25th Street Parrish neighborhood finnaly got the deal they could live with and went home happy campers.