Could Taco Bell be coming to State Road 64?

Hungry Freedom Elementary and Carlos E. Haile Middle School students may be saved by the bell—Taco Bell, that is.

Floridian Properties of Bradenton, working with SunCoast Retail Developers Inc. of Treasure Island, Fla., submitted an application to Manatee County to rezone a two-acre property at School House Drive and State Road 64 from lightweight industrial to planned commercial. The parcel is located just south the middle school.

According to the application, the developer plans to build space for two restaurants, one of which would be Taco Bell. The other was not named but specified as a fast food venue.

The rezone is listed on the draft agenda for Manatee County’s Development Review Committee meeting Wednesday, Jan. 6. 

If the project is successful, the Taco Bell would break a three-mile span on S.R. 64 between fast food restaurants west of I-75 and the McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts and Subway located at the plaza near the intersection of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and S.R. 64.