News Briefs

+ Two arrested for burglary of East County storage facility
Two men were arrested Dec. 1 for stealing from an East County storage facility.

Deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report at 5:50 p.m. at 3805 53rd Ave. E. Four suspects were apprehended; each faces four counts of armed burglary and one count of attempted armed burglary.

+ County commissioners select leadership positions
Manatee County District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh will serve as the county’s representative on the Tourist Development Council in 2014.Baugh, a Lakewood Ranch resident, was elected by her fellow commissioners to chair the council during the board’s Dec. 3 meeting.

All other 2013 posts will remain the same. Board members reelected Larry Bustle as chairman and Carol Whitmore as chairwoman of the Port Authority Board.

+ Rewrite of Land Development Code open for public review
Individuals living in Manatee County have can review the new draft of the area’s Land Development Code through Dec. 23.

Alterations up for public comment include reducing the amount of time needed to notify locals (in print) of public hearings, from 15 days to 10, along with creating a new zone called the Public Interest District.

By creating an updated version and simplifying regulations, the county hopes to alleviate the “overwhelmingly complicated” jargon the current code possesses.

Meetings & agendas
Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Land Use Meeting — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5, at the Manatee County Government Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Manatee County Historic Preservation Board — 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 9, at the Manatee County Government Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Work Session — 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 10, at the Manatee County Government Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Manatee County School Board Meeting — 5:45 to 8 p.m. Dec. 10, at the School Support Center, 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Manatee County Planning Commission Meeting — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 12, at the Manatee County Government Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.