More homes could soon be on the way to Parrish

After being stalled for many years, the Parrish Lakes project moved a step closer Thursday to bringing development to a 1,155-acre site in north county.

Calling for 3,300 residential units and 450,000 square feet of retail and office space, the Manatee County Planning Commission recommended approval of the Parrish Lakes development of regional impact during Thursday’s meeting. The development is set to go before the county commission for final approval Sept. 7.

“This area is clearly transitioning from agricultural properties to development proposals,” said Diane Chadwick, a Stantec planner working on the project. “There have been a lot approved in the area.”

Parrish Lakes, which would be approximately three miles south of the Hillsborough County line, is proposed to be developed in two phases, including a mixture of multi-family and single-family residences. The first phase is estimated to be completed in 2026 and the second phase in 2036.

Parrish Lakes, which would be located between Moccasin Wallow Road on the north and Erie Road on the south, is expected to add 818 total students and the homes will generate more than $19 million in school impact fees, according to the applicant’s presentation.

“There is adequate capacity to serve the student base,” Chadwick said about a report received from the school district.

But while the planning commission ultimately unanimously recommended approval, there was a lengthy discussion about the storm water plan for the project. The applicant requested that they be allowed to deviate from staff’s recommendation, which is a 50 percent reduction in allowable runoff for Buffalo Canal. The decision was left to the county commission to decide next month.

“The local government restriction is more stringent than the state government and that’s the 50 percent regulation,” said Sia Mollanazar, public works deputy director. “It is unfair to others to reverse the whole procedure and let the one go on without it. It is our safety factor.”

The planning commission recommended an increase in the fee the developer would have to pay if they don’t build the 330 affordable units as stated in the plan.

“That’s a no-brainer,” planning commission member Matt Bower said of the higher fee.

This story was originally published August 10, 2017 at 3:24 PM with the headline "More homes could soon be on the way to Parrish."