Proposed ‘green’ community in Cortez seeks first approval

A proposed “zero-energy ready” community in Cortez — the county’s first, according to the developer — will go before the Manatee County Planning Commission on Thursday.

Hunters Point Resort & Marina is poised to be built on a small 18-acre slab of land surrounded by a canal off of 124th Court West, with 86 “coastal cottages,” 62 extended-stay hotel rooms, 49 boat slips with one being for a water taxi and a 11,100-square-foot area with a clubhouse and restaurant.

Developer Marshall Gobuty hopes that the homes and buildings will produce as much or more energy than they use, according to a press release. He intends on doing this by installing rooftop solar panels, Tesla’s Powerwall technology, electric car charging stations and building the homes with high-energy efficiency standards.

The community also intends on promoting more “green” ways of living, including the use of an electric water taxi or public transit and using guidelines from Florida-Friendly Landscaping.

While the improvements of the development are high-tech, Gobuty intends on maintaining the style of Cortez. The 86 homes will be 1,450 square feet, with 484 square feet under the roof, and the hotel rooms spread out in five buildings will be 800 square feet with the possibility of waterfront views.

“Everything we’re doing with Hunters Point is designed to fulfill the vision of Peter and Eva Thurell to relocate historic cottage-style homes to the site,” Gobuty said in a press release, making note of the previous landowner’s attempt at a similar project.

“To deliver that vision, our cottage-style residences have been designed to complement the Village of Cortez while providing owners with energy efficient features and sustainable designs that will preserve the community for generations to come.”

The development already has gotten the blessing of the county’s planning staff, recommending approval of the rezone request and special approval for a reduced waterfront setback. The only negative aspect of the proposal is that it will be in the coastal high hazard area, according to the staff report.

Confident of the planning commission’s approval, Gobuty indicated that he would have a “research and development center” for anyone interested in learning more about the development’s technologies and outlook.

“We want to show what can be done when you work with the right energy and technology leaders from around the world, while also respecting the sensitivities of a community and the rich history it has,” Gobuty said. “Hunters Point will be a model for sustainable design across the country.”

Gobuty is the developer behind West Bradenton community Mirabella Florida, a 55-and-over community of 158 LEED Platinum certified homes.

“We have seen what Marshall and his team have done with Mirabella in Bradenton,” Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston said. “The development is an example of a commitment to the environment and respect for the community.”

The planning commission will meet at the Manatee County Administrative Building at 9 a.m. Thursday.

This story was originally published December 12, 2017 at 4:49 PM with the headline "Proposed ‘green’ community in Cortez seeks first approval."