County approves changes to Heritage Harbour shopping project

HERITAGE HARBOUR — Developer LNR Property Corp. earned another step toward turning a commercial node in Heritage Harbour into a shopping destination for residents of the East County and the surrounding area.

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners last week approved changes to a planned retail development for the community, allowing the addition of 54,900 more square feet of commercial space where LNR already has been approved to build a 590,000-square-foot retail center.

The 107-acre parcel, a piece of the overall 2,700-acre development of regional impact for Heritage Harbour, is located north of State Road 64 between Grand Harbour Parkway and Interstate 75 and is being called the Landings at Heritage Harbour.

Part of last week’s approval also include the option for LNR to construct more commercial space instead of a hotel for which is what previously approved.

David Welch, regional president of LNR, said his company is hoping to bring in national and regional retailers such as those seen in the first phase of Benderson Development’s mega mall project on University Parkway.

“It’s definitely more of a regional center,” he said.

Welch said LNR does not have any immediate plans to begin construction of the plaza but will wait until the economic timing is appropriate.

However, last week’s approvals were necessary so that LNR can begin serious talks with retailers for the plaza, he said.

“We think it’ll define Heritage Harbour,” said Lee Bettes, a Heritage Harbour South CDD supervisor. “Right now, many people don’t know where Heritage Harbour is.”

Several other Heritage Harbour residents also attended the meeting to air their concerns on a separate matter regarding the intersection of Port Harbour Parkway and Kay Road. Residents said many individuals drive through a stop sign there and the spot has become a safety hazard.

Harry Mendenhall of the county’s transportation department said there have been two crashes at the intersection — one of which is not yet on file — and the transportation department is going out to take traffic counts and see if a signal is warranted.

Other options include improving pavement markings and adding additional stop signs, he said.

Commissioners suggested the idea of placing a turnaround at that location as a means of traffic calming and asked county planning staff to look into the matter.

“It certainly needs something,” Commissioner Joe McClash said. “I don’t feel it will ever support a traffic light.”

Residents also raised concerns that Port Harbour Parkway has not yet been paved to county standards, a fact county staff said they would discuss with Heritage Harbour’s overall developer, Harbourvest LLC, a partnership between home builders Lennar Corp. and its subsidiary U.S. Home Corp.

IN OTHER BUSINESS
The Manatee County Board of Commissioners approved a school site plan for Manatee Technical Institute’s new State Road 70 campus, just south of Braden River High School.

The Manatee County School Board has been approved to build up to 215,000 square feet of classroom space with 860 seats for students, with approval to expand up to 250,000 square feet in total.

“Our intent is to begin construction next February,” said Mike Pendley, executive planner for the Manatee County Public School District.

The campus is expected to open in December 2012.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].