What to know in Manatee: The Concessions housing, conservation, and affordable housing
Citing concern over potential litigation, Manatee County approved more housing at The Concession after several proposals from the developer were denied in recent years.
The matter was discussed during a land use meeting on Thursday. Commissioners also sidestepped a proposal to increase the amount of money the county could bond for environmental land protection, made zoning changes to conserve Crooked River Ranch, took steps forward on growth plans for SeaPort Manatee and approved a slew of multifamily and affordable housing development projects.
Commissioners concede to The Concession developer
County commissioners bent the knee to The Concession Land Development LLC after repeated denials of a proposal to develop 17 acres of land ended in mediation.
The Concession development as a whole has previously been approved for a golf course, a clubhouse, a maintenance facility and 255 residences, and amended over the years to include 16 residential units in a development pod surrounded by the golf course as well as a tract designated as a helistop to serve the golf course.
Only 233 of the 255 homes were ever built, even though the available lots were built-out. But the fate of the remaining houses has been tied up in court in 2022 after the county denied the transfer of those rights to the 17-acre parcel multiple times since 2020. The two sides agreed to a settlement that allowed the developer to make yet another pitch for the development of the property.
The proposal approved Thursday deletes 16 single-family detached villas from The Concession development and reallocates 15 single-family homes to the 17 acres available in phase 4 of the project, and three single-family homes on five acres within a fifth phase.
Commissioners approved the proposal with a 5 to 1 vote, citing fear of further litigation. Commissioner George Kruse was the lone nay vote on the proposal.
No plans to increase environmental land protection purchasing power
Commissioners sidestepped a proposal to increase the county's bonding capacity to fund purchases of environmental lands for protection from development, subject to voter approval of a bond referendum during the November general election.
The proposal would have increased the current $50 million bonding capacity approved by local voters in 2020. However, commissioners decided not to increase the amount, nor add it to the November ballot, over concern about the potential impact on the county's credit rating.
Crooked River Ranch conservation
Commissioners unanimously approved an amendment to the future land use map, and a change in zoning, for conservation of 68 acres of land known as Crooked River Ranch.
More: Waterfront property becomes the first to be conserved with Manatee County referendum funds
The property boasts waterfront views along the northern Manatee River shoreline in Parrish, located at 10425 25th Street East. It was the first tract of land purchased by the county this year, leveraging $11.2 million from 2020 environmental lands referendum funding.
Growth plans in place for SeaPort Manatee
Commissioners unanimously voted to transmit a SeaPort Manatee master plan update that outlines goals for the next 20 years to the state.
The plan calls for development of up to 80 acres of container yard, construction of a container transfer facility, construction of a citrus juice storage and processing facility, an extension of berths 4 and 14, upgrades to Berth 6, realignment of berths 10 and 11, and construction of new berths 1, 2 and 3.
Lakewood Springs multifamily development
The board unanimously approved zoning changes for 38.89 acres of land for a project called Lakewood Springs.
Thursday's approval changed the zoning for the land from general agriculture to planned development residential. Plans include 299 residential units, 25% of which would be designated for affordable housing, and an amenity center The property is located at 3810, 3920 and 4112 Lorraine Road.
Tunnel to Towers affordable housing development
Commissioners unanimously approved necessary changes to accommodate a 120-unit affordable housing development called Tunnel to Towers.
The project is located just outside of the Bradenton city limits on 8.7 acres of land at 4410 66th Street West, and will be entirely dedicated to affordable housing. Commissioners unanimously approved the project's general development plan, a change in zoning and an amendment to the future land use map to accommodate the project.
Meals on Wheels set for expansion
Commissioners approved a zoning change and a future land use amendment for .36 acres to make way for an expansion of Meals on Wheels Plus Manatee.
Palmetto Apartments approved
The board unanimously approved plans for a multifamily housing complex called Palmetto Apartments.
The project includes plans for 276 multi-family housing units, an amenity center and 21,600 square feet of nonresidential uses. On Thursday, commissioners approved a change from agricultural suburban zoning to planned development mixed-use, as well as a preliminary site plan. The project is located at 8825 Bayshore Road.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Manatee County approves housing at The Concession, affordable housing
