Waterline Road discussion continues Thursday

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners will continue a long-delayed public hearing on the Martin-Hillwood project Thursday morning.

Commissioners voted May 2 to delay a decision on a project that would build 195 residential units on 77 acres of wooded property on the north side of Waterline Road.

Discussion was supposed to continue June 6, but weather conditions forced commissioners to push it back.

County staff recommends commissioners approve a rezone of 77 acres from general agriculture to planned development residential (PDR).

The initial decision to postpone the hearing came after more than 20 Waterline Road homeowners, organized into a group called Preserve Our Waterline Road Inc. (POWeR), voiced their displeasure with the plan at the commission meeting.

Residents from neighboring communities, such as Mill Creek, Country Creek and Rye Wilderness, cited concerns about increased traffic along the rural Waterline Road, harm to wildlife life and the incompatibility of the proposed “low-impact” clustered development with the area.

The public may speak on new information related to the project at Thursday's commission meeting which will begin at 9 a.m. at 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].