Commissioners approve 1,400-home community

A 289-acre parcel immediately south of Waterlefe soon will transform from a cow pasture into a community of up to 1,400 homes with associated commercial development.

Manatee County commissioners on May 5 approved a general development plan by Medallion Home for the property formerly known as the Moore’s Dairy site. It is immediately west of Upper Manatee River Road, wedged between the Greenfield Plantation and Waterlefe communities. The existing Heritage Harbour community sits immediately west.

“This is a perfect infill,” Commissioner Carol Whitmore said of the project.

Plans call for the realignment of Port Harbour Parkway to meander through the property rather than run in a straight line along Waterlefe’s southern boundary east to Upper Manatee River Road, as previously shown in county transportation maps. Approvals include the addition of up to 1,400 residential units, including multifamily and single-family homes, a 200-bed assisted-living facility and commercial space.

The proposed potential commercial/retail uses are limited to retail wholesale or office commercial uses that serve the community, such as food stores, convenience stores or offices for professional services, for example. Square footage will vary depending upon how many homes are constructed.

Developer attorney Scott Rudacille worked out stipulations with Patricia Petruff, attorney for the Waterlefe Community Development District, immortalizing a private agreement that commercial development will exclude certain types of businesses, including sexually oriented businesses, gas stations and bars, within 500 feet of Waterlefe. It also restricts any multifamily development to property south of Port Harbour Parkway.