Manatee planners support Tara residents in development battle

TARA — A sea of red may have turned the tide for residents of the Tara community.

The Manatee County Planning Commission on Sept. 9 recommended denial of some proposed changes to Tara’s development of regional impact. Of most concern to residents, developer Lake Lincoln, formerly known as Tara-Manatee, is seeking to transfer commercial entitlements to a parcel (sub-phase III-BB) at the northwestern part of its property, behind the entrance sign to Tara on the west side of Tara Boulevard.

Because of the site’s location, access to it would be restricted to right-in, right-out from State Road 70 and have limited access on Tara Boulevard as well. Residents said those restrictions present safety concerns.

More than 150 Tara residents piled into the county commission chambers wearing red shirts and holding signs saying “Safety First” and “30 Years Residential.” After several hours of testimony and deliberation, the board voted 6-1 to recommend denial of the rezoning of sub-phase III-BB and to deny any entitlements on that parcel. The board did, however, recommend approval of a land use equivalency matrix, which would allow more commercial development in Tara on the east side of Tara Boulevard in Twelve Oaks Plaza.

The commission also recommended approval of requests to add assisted-living facility and mini-warehouse uses to Lake Lincoln’s existing DRI.

“We came away with a win,” said Bill Pastor, leader of the 12 Oaks Advisory Committee, the group organizing opposition efforts. “The next step is Oct. 7 at the county commissioners meeting, where this ordinance will be brought up for approval. We’re going to gear up for the same thing we did today. We plan to have busloads of people.”

The team of Tara residents and consultants who led arguments against Lake Lincoln’s proposal addressed everything from safety issues and community aesthetics to property values and compliance with the county’s land development code.

“We’re just holding our breath,” Pastori said. “The county commission is a very independent body, and we never know which way they are going to jump. We’re cautiously optimistic going into the county commissioners’ meeting.”

The meeting will be at 9 a.m., Oct. 7, at 1112 Manatee Ave. W.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE COUNTY COMMISSION:
After a unanimous recommendation for approval from the Manatee County Planning Commission Sept. 9, the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 14 formally approved an agreement with Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch for proportionate share mitigation of transportation impacts regarding SMR’s Northwest Sector and Lakewood Centre projects.

Under the agreement, SMR has agreed to waive $17.4 million in impact fee credits in exchange for being granted concurrency for phase one development of both projects. As part of the deal, SMR also will widen Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to four lanes between State Road 64 and State Road 70, which will cost an estimated $2 million.

“We need concurrency in order to secure financing,” SMR’s Vice President of Planning Todd Pokrywa said. “It provides us with that certainty today even more than in the past.”