- January 21, 2026
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Despite Yoder Land Holdings LLC lowering its proposed density from up to 234 single family homes down to 80 homes, the Manatee County Planning Commission unanimously recommended that its proposal for Bradenton Estates II be denied.
The proposal combines 11 parcels to make up approximately 80 acres located off of 18th Avenue East near its intersection with Morgan Johnson Road. The property is currently zoned Suburban Agricultural. The request is to rezone the parcels to Planned Development Residential.
The Planning Commission makes recommendations, but the Board of County Commissioners makes the final decision. The hearing before commissioners is scheduled for Feb. 12 at the Manatee County Administration Building at 1112 Manatee Ave. W.
Meetings begin at 9 a.m.
While there are 80 homes proposed for 80 acres, not all 80 acres can be developed.
Wetlands account for just over 3 acres. Ponds take up nearly 15 acres, and almost 9 acres lie within an easement held by Florida Power & Light.
When whittled down, there’s about 53 acres, but the proposal clusters the homes on approximately 20 acres on the north end of the site. The two-story home sites are proposed to be 6,000 square feet each.
In addition to density issues, residents and planning commissioners alike expressed concerns over traffic on Morgan Johnson Road.
“Morgan Johnson operates at Level of Service C,” said Michael Yates with Palm Traffic. “I understand the perception is that it’s over capacity, but Morgan Johnson Road is not a failing roadway.”
Board member Matt Bower said there’s often a disconnect between the level of service and “the boots on the ground,” which are the residents in the community.
The problem Bower noted was pointed out by Patricia Petruff, an attorney who is often representing others during public hearings, but is a landowner in this case.
She wrote a letter to the Planning Commission in regards to the access point for the project. There’s only one access off of 18th Avenue East, which raises concerns about the intersection at 18th Avenue East and Morgan Johnson Road.
Petruff called the intersection “dangerous during (rush hours).”
“I would appreciate it if staff would review the traffic patterns closely during preliminary construction plan approval,” Petruff wrote in her letter. “I suggest that a left-hand turn lane be put in on both sides of 18th Avenue East.”
However, Yates said the traffic studies required for the general development plan “demonstrated that the intersection operates within the acceptable standards by code,” so there’s no requirement for a turn lane.
Bower responded that the county is too often working from behind on traffic issues, instead of getting out in front of them. He noted that there are no traffic lights on Morgan Johnson Road to allow residents to pull out, so they sit for significant amounts of time trying to turn right or left from 18th Avenue East.
When the project’s density was up at 234 units, there was a plan to install a southbound left turn lane from 18th Avenue East. But Yates said the volume simply doesn’t warrant a recommendation with the lowered density.
Board member Bruce Stamm also noted that the plan omits bike lanes and sidewalks along 18th Avenue East. Again, Yates said they’re not required by code.
“You’re asking a developer to figure out what could potentially be a desire,” he said. “But if you want it in your code, you need to change the code to require these things.”
