Developer William Manfull wanted to build a single-family subdivision near an ancient Indian burial mound in northwest Bradenton. The South Florida Museum, which owns the mound, wanted assurances the archaeological site would remain accessible.
Both got what they wanted Thursday from Manatee County commissioners.
Commissioners unanimously approved a preliminary site plan for Manfull's 15-lot subdivision at 2400 90th St. N.W. that includes provisions for maintaining access to the pre-Columbian cremation and burial site.
"I think we've got the problem resolved," said Scott Bassett, who lives near the mound and has been active in efforts to preserve it under public ownership.
The museum, which once put the mound up for sale, is negotiating a sale to the state that could be completed by year's end.
Now, museum staff and invited guests can reach the mound by an easement on Manfull's property. But the easement's boundaries are ill-defined, raising the access concerns and prompting commissioners to delay approving Manfull's project until the issue is resolved.
That will be done by depicting the easement on the subdivision's final plat, final site plan, sales contracts and homeowner documents.
Yet another access issue was a larger focus Thursday: What to do with a metal guardrail at the western end of 21st Avenue Northwest.
Some commissioners previously advocated removing the barricade. But nearby Mango Park residents opposed the idea, saying it would open their neighborhood to unwanted through traffic.
A compromise was later reached: A section of the guardrail would be removed to allow only bicyclists and pedestrians to go through. While commissioners supported that plan Thursday, some still called for the barricade's removal and replacement with a berm, enhanced landscaping or something nicer to look at.
"That guardrail is downright ugly," Commission Chairwoman Jane von Hahmann said.
Commissioners directed county staff to meet with Mango Park residents about the issue.
Also on Thursday, commissioners:
• Dissolved Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 3 at the district's request. The district generally covered the commercial area north of University Parkway and between Interstate 75 and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. The CDD's rights, obligations and assets have been transferred to the Lakewood Ranch Town Center Owners Association.
• Amended Lakewood Ranch Commerce Park's general development plan to allow more places within the project where elementary, middle and high schools and schools of special education can be built.
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