Manatee County denies Tarmac proposal

MANATEE COUNTY — East County residents along the Lockwood Ridge Road corridor argue heavy industrial uses shouldn’t abut anyone’s backyard, not just theirs.

And Manatee County commissioners agree.

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners on May 5 unanimously denied an application by Tarmac America to rezone a four-acre property on 33rd Street East, where the company had planned to construct a concrete batch plant.

In doing so, board members also paved the way for change in one of the few areas of the county where heavy industrial uses still are planned for properties just hundreds of feet away from residences.

“It’s not in the best interest of the district and the county to allow heavy manufacturing in this area,” said Commissioner Robin DiSabatino, who lives in the Cascades neighborhood.

Based on feedback from a county attorney, commissioners said landowners are not automatically entitled to rezone approvals as long as other zoning categories also are consistent with the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

 “I don’t think it’s a done deal because you have a certain land use designation,” Commissioner John Chappie said after the vote.

More than 200 residents, most wearing green shirts, packed into the commission chambers to voice their opposition to the project, which had been slated to come before the board two years ago but was withdrawn.

“We’re delighted (with the decision),” resident Deborah Landes said. “We are delighted with the unanimous decision and the understanding (commissioners have that) there’s a change and what worked 20 years ago (doesn’t work for today). It’s a tremendous triumph.”

David Quinn, a Cascades resident who led the Coalition of Concerned Communities, a group representing more than 30 neighborhoods who oppose heavy manufacturing in the 33rd Street East area, said he was pleased with the decision.

“We have no issue with Tarmac as a company,” he said. “We have no issue with the current businesses there. But as far as heavy manufacturing goes, we don’t want any growth of that.”

Tarmac’s legal counsel, Porter Hardy, declined comment following the vote.

Manatee County Planning Director John Osborne said he already was planning to hold a work session with commissions about industrial land uses, specifically what each land use and zoning district means, development trends in the area, what protections for residents are already in place and potential comprehensive plan changes, among other topics.

Although no meeting date has yet been set, Osborne said the workshop likely would be held sometime in June.

THE BOARD ALSO:
• Approved unanimously Paley Place, a 180,000-square-foot commercial shopping center on 23.4 acres on the south side of State Road 70 at Lockwood Ridge Road. The plaza will be anchored by a Publix Supermarket and is located between the CVS Pharmacy and the Braden River Post Office on S.R. 70.
The applicant, Benderson development, said the plaza will have a coastal theme architecturally with metal roofing and enhanced landscaping.

• Approved a master signage plan for University Park Center, a commercial project located at the northwest corner of University Parkway and Honore Avenue.

• Approved the extension of certificate levels of service for the Lakewood Walk shopping center, Lakewood Ranch Commerce Park and Lakewood Ranch Business Park.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].