News Briefs

+ Planning Commission recommends changes
The Manatee County Planning Commission Oct. 13 recommended approval for changes to several East County developments.

Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch wants to amend its general development plan for University Lakes, a project located at the northeast intersection of the University Parkway and Interstate 75 interchange. The project spans eastward, to three miles east of Lorraine Road.

SMR wants to adjust approved land-use entitlements within the project. Changes include moving 100 multi-family units, 16,800-square-feet of non-residential usage and 255 hotel rooms to other parcels within the project’s boundaries.

“The requested changes allow for SMR to respond to increased market demand for a multi-family project across from Lakewood Ranch Main Street and shift some of the approved hotel units to the parcel adjacent to I-75, which has more visibility and will be needed over the long term to accommodate increased visitor traffic associated with Lakewood Ranch businesses and attractions, such as the Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch,” Todd Pokrywa, SMR’s vice president of planning, said.

Developer Neal Communities is seeking changes to the Northwest Sector Development of Regional Impact, as it pertains to development of the Central Park community. Within Central Park, Neal wants to increase the number of residential units from 800 to 826, add residential support as a use, reallocate commercial square footage and modify commercial parcels boundaries.

Neal also is seeking changes to the preliminary site plan for its River’s Reach subdivision in North Manatee. The developer wants to add 69 lots to the project and relocate existing recreational amenities.

With recommendation for approval from the Planning Commission, the items will go to the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners for approval.

+ Boo Run to benefit local charities
Organizers are gearing up for this year’s Boo Run in Lakewood Ranch.

The annual event will be held Oct. 29, on Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

A 5K event for runners and walkers starts at 8 a.m., with a Boo Dash Fun Run following at 8:45 a.m. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes.

Registration costs $30; individuals may register online at www.boorun.com or on the day or the event.

Proceeds will benefit Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County.

Digital Village fights website provider change
As Lakewood Ranch Community Development officials consider launching a new governance website, longtime website provider Digital Village is working to keep its role in the community.

CDD supervisors Oct. 20 are set to vote on a contract with a different company, Association Voice, for website services. The new site would handle governance and other information for Lakewood Ranch CDDs 1, 2, 4 and 5, the Inter-District Authority and homeowner associations.

Digital Village Oct. 8 emailed its 5,000 subscribers, urging them to voice their support for keeping Digital Village. Dennis Papalois, director for the company’s Lakewood Ranch project, said he does not believe Town Hall officials are familiar with Digital Village’s capabilities. He said the system has been custom-developed over the past 10 years, and improvements are under way.

“The people making the decision aren’t knowledgeable about our project,” he said. “We’ve never been able to show them how it works and what are the capabilities.”

Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Executive Director Eva Rey said she has researched several options for websites and believes moving forward with Association Voice will work best for a governance website and also save Lakewood Ranch residents about $60,000 annually, although the amount will be less the first year.