Manatee County Planning Commission approves site plan for Lockwood Ridge Road plaza

The former site of Winn Dixie moved forward towards new life after the Manatee County Planning Commission approved the preliminary site plan for the 23-acre property at today's meeting.

Developer Gryboski Howe & Gravley (GH&G) purchased the site located at the corner of Lockwood Ridge Road and State Road 70 for $6.5 million in January from Space Coast Credit Union.

The West Lake Plaza site plan includes eight buildings to be constructed. Both a Walmart Neighborhood Market and a WaWa gas station and convenience store are already slated to take up residence in two buildings, however no other tenants have been selected.

“(The site) has been an eyesore for a long time,” said Caleb Grimes, the attourney who represented GH&G. “We’re trying to come in and take something that’s been a problem and move forward.”

The developer will construct an additional right-turn lane on Lockwood Ridge, turning east onto State Road 70. The lane is not a requirement by the county.

“Overall I have no problems with the project—I want to stress the importance that the traffic in that area is bad and will only get worse,” said Commissioner Tom Rhoades. “Without that additional lane, traffic turning right is going to be backed up for blocks, like it is already.”

Todd Mathes, director of development for Benderson Development, spoke up during public comment. Benderson owns the shopping plaza, which includes a Publix, across the street from the proposed West Lake project.  He suggested the county should consider a traffic signal at one of the plazas' alligning driveways south of the Lockwood Ridge, State Road 70 intersection to allow shoppers an easier thoroughfare between the centers.

“We’re willing to share in the expense of that signal,” Mathes said. “There will be a lot of cross-shopping.”

Rhoades expressed concern with the idea of a signal— he said the additional stop could back up traffic into the residential zones to the south of the project on Lockwood Ridge. However, county staff is not recommending the installation of a signal for either plaza at this time. 

The project must appear before the Manatee County Commission for final approval.