BRADENTON — On Thursday, the Manatee County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend reversing an amendment to the wetland protection policy, which will next go to the Manatee County Commission.
In October 2023, county commissioners voted 5-1 in favor of effectively eliminating the county's wetland protection policies and deferring to the bare minimum required by the state. Seemingly unable to convince staff to make such a recommendation (even though it was advertised as a staff-initiated change), the county used an outside "consultant" who had no expertise in wetlands and had previously been on the losing side of a legal challenge to the county's policy to make the recommendation.
The action revised the county’s Comprehensive Plan, rolling back the 30 and 50-foot buffer requirements around wetlands to state a minimum of 25 feet on average with a 15-foot minimum, or, in some select instances, potentially no required buffers.
The issue was central to the 2024 election, with each member facing reelection who had supported the policy being defeated. The new board quickly moved to reverse the policy, with two commissioners who had previously supported the amendment—Jason Bearden and Amanda Ballard—rethinking their positions.
Matt Bower made the motion to recommend the reversal, which was seconded by Alyssa Gay. The item passed 4-0. It will now go to the BOCC at a future meeting.
5 comments on this item
Only paid subscribers can comment
Please log in to comment by clicking here.
sandy
They never should have been removed based on the many citizens against this, including scientists and environmentalists. The man who represented the removal had been the developers representative in civil court and lost twice. And he's nothing more than planner. This was something the board at the time that were bought and paid for by developers (including Ballard, Bearden and Rahn who is still against reversing) led by mini-me Van Ostenbridge, the developer darling. Kruse voted against it. I still marvel that an inland county i(Orange County) increased theirs to 100' in many proposals just after Manatee County's were removed. The FL statute never said you couldn't be more restrictive.
Thursday, March 27 Report this
sandy
To the citizen who cried SB 250 and the reversal being more restrictive at the Planning Commission meeting, take note the SB 250 was adopted in June 2023. The county comp plan amendment/ordinance removing county buffers was in October 2023. Rescinding the ordinance just reverts back to what was in effect before SB 250. How can that be more restrictive?
Thursday, March 27 Report this
WTF
The state makes recommendations on the setbacks, however every county can modify that setback and I agree with Sandy. I have looked at the Orange County resolution. It is stellar and preserving wetlands, and they’re in the middle of the state.
We’re moving in the right direction however we still have uncontrolled growth infrastructure that is not there to handle the traffic and infrastructure. We need to slow the role and institute a moratorium. In addition every new development should have a workforce housing component or they can buy their way out of it just like seagrass litigation. Let’s not forget they’re 60,000 outstanding residential housing permits that have not been started yet and unfortunately we are stuck with that. Moving forward we need to look at the land development code that says future land development that does not mean today tomorrow next week it can be next year 10 years And so forth the rubber stamping of large developments should no longer be approved without careful consideration for all of the above
For the record
GADFLY
Friday, March 28 Report this
rjckeuka4
They should be moving it to 100 ft. like Orange County!!
Friday, March 28 Report this
pattybeenutty
It should be 100 Feet and not 50!
Our climate is changing, and we can expect more flooding in the future.
Saturday, March 29 Report this