News Briefs

+ UTC site changes considered this week
Benderson Development seeks Sarasota County approval to expand its commercial center south of University Parkway between Cattlemen Road and Interstate 75.
The Sarasota Planning Commission will hear proposed changes 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4.
Benderson seeks to change zoning for a 5-acre parcel from “moderate density residential” to “high density residential.”
It also hopes to modify the future land-use policy to change the project’s total acreage from 276 acres to 281 acres and increase gross leasable space from 1.9 million square feet to 2.58 million square feet. The change also includes the addition of 600,000 square feet of commercial and 100,000 square feet of office. 

+ School District will increase staff, supplies
Manatee County schools will soon see more staff members and instructional material for students.

As part of schools Superintendent Rick Mills’ and the Manatee County School District’s strategic plan for the 2014-15 school year, the district plans to hire more remediation teachers in middle schools and media specialists, to ensure each school has an individual in that position, according to a Nov. 21 press release.
The district will also staff more support specialists and physical education teachers in elementary schools.
Classrooms will also have new instructional software for students in grades K-12, along with new reading and math materials.

The materials have already been purchased and will be implemented into schools’ curriculum.

Hiring more educators and enhancing the supplies in area schools will collectively cost the district about $10 million.

Mills sees the changes as an investment into students’ education.

+ Correction
A new home at 723 Dogwood Run in Greyhawk Landings West sold for $440,300. There was no previous sale price.

Meetings & agendas
Manatee County School Board Workshop — 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 9, at the School Support Center, 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

Manatee County School Board Meeting — 5:45 to 9 p.m. Dec. 9, at the School Support Center, 215 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton

Manatee County Planning Commission Meeting — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 11, at the County Administrative Center, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton