Stone Soup Group Appeals Glazier-Gates Park Ruling

BRADENTON – A group opposed to the construction of a residential complex in what is currently Glazier-Gates Park has filed an appeal to a summary judgement that was issued last month, ruling in favor of the developers and the City of Bradenton.

The proposed complex, Villages at Riverwalk, was approved 4-0 in an Oct. 14, 2015 Bradenton City Council meeting. The not for profit group, called Stone Soup Community Unity Inc., are represented by former City of Bradenton Beach attorney Ralf Brookes.

In public hearings held by the Bradenton City Council on the subject during meetings, Brookes has argued that allowing the park's removal would be in violation of the city's comprehensive plan (the developers, NDC Construction and Hatfield Construction, Inc., are to build the city a new Glazier-Gates Park on a parcel northeast of the planned complex in exchange for the current park's property).

Among the arguments stated in the lawsuit:

• The development order "is not consistent with the duly-adopted Comprehensive Plan applying the strict scrutiny standard of review";
• Three of the lawsuit's plaintiffs, who reside "nearby and proximate" to the park, would be "adversely affected" by the residential project; and "have interests that are protected by the Comprehensive Plan";
• Florida statute "requires that all actions taken by the local government in regard to development orders be consistent with the adopted local comprehensive plan."

The group has a GoFundMe account for those wishing to donate toward the cost of their legal battle. Click here to read the judge's ruling.