Taylor Morrison eyes Esplanade expansion

LAKEWOOD RANCH — The developer of one of Lakewood Ranch’s newest communities has big plans for the future.

Taylor Morrison is under contract with Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch to purchase 400 acres immediately east of its new Esplanade community, and is working on plans to develop the property as an expansion of the project.

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners Thursday, Aug. 2 unanimously approved modifications to development plans for the property, which will allow Taylor Morrison to transfer multi-family and single-family units between certain land parcels, adjust restrictions on cul-de-sac length and specify recreational uses.

“It gives us that flexibility (we need),” said Taylor Morrison’s Vice President of Land Resources Tony Squitieri, adding the developer now has to work through the permitting and design process. “We’d like to get it started as quickly as we can.”

Squitieri said Taylor Morrison is still weighing its options in terms of recreational offerings for the yet-to-be-approved project, but a golf course is being considered seriously, even though there are numerous courses nearby.

“We believe golf is always going to be a strong amenity in Florida,” he said.

The existing Esplanade community opened in January, and 70 homes have already sold. The project sits on 200 acres.

The project is part of SMR’s Northwest Sector Development of Regional Impact, which was approved in November 2007. The general development plan for the DRI, which is located generally east of Pope Road, from 44th Avenue East, south to State Road 70 and includes the Central Park community, allows for 4,222 total residences, 200,000 square feet of commercial space, 105,000 square feet of office space and an option for a 120-bed group-care facility.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].