Circus gets first OK to build a performance venue in Oneco despite neighbors’ objections
Plans by Cirque Italia to develop a 52,000-square-foot performance area and a 20,000-square-foot multi-use building in Oneco narrowly passed muster by the Manatee County Planning Commission, despite objections from neighbors.
Cirque Italia — known for water and paranormal circuses, presented in recent years near Palmetto’s Riviera Dunes neighborhood — is seeking rezoning of 5.6 acres at 1623 53rd Ave. E., the former home of Oneco Glass Company.
When Cirque Italia originally filed paperwork with the Manatee County Building Department in September, it was for a maximum of 80 event days during a calendar year with no event lasting for more than 20 consecutive days, the Herald previously reported.
When the request came before the planning commission on Thursday, the number of event days had been reduced to 40, with no events lasting more than 20 days, including set up, tear down and removal.
Cirque Italia proposes to present its shows in a 53-foot-tall circus tent, which would be removed after each engagement.
Margi Nanney was one of the Oneco neighbors who attended Thursday’s planning commission meeting to object to the rezoning.
“This proposal has truly flown under the radar. Only a few notices were sent out and there was only one 30-minute Zoom public hearing which very few attended because no one knew about this. The applicant has never reached out to the community. We have had to contact the churches, schools, day care, businesses and as many residents as possible to let them know about this,” Nanney said.
“No one thinks this is a good fit for this section of State Road 70. Not only does it create even more dangerous traffic conditions than we deal with every day, but the circus themes include a mature adult, R-rated paranormal experience that is not appropriate for our neighborhood and sets a dangerous precedent for future development in this area,” she said.
The Cirque Italia property is 775 feet from the intersection of State Road 70 and 15th Street East, which Nanney said is a “neglected” intersection and a “nightmare.”
“Who wants to live next to a circus?” she said.
Several other neighbors, including Stella Burnett, also spoke out against Cirque Italia’s plans.
“We have many kids who walk on the sidewalks and go to Oneco Elementary School. The tents won’t contain the music. I am totally against it,” Burnett said.
Another neighbor, Scott Bassett, said he has attended several of the Cirque Italia shows and found them entertaining and enjoyable.
“If they go in, I won’t be mad about it. If they don’t go in, I won’t be mad about it,” Bassett said.
Attorney Scott Rudacille represented Cirque Italia before the planning commission.
“This is an area of the county that hasn’t seen a lot of redevelopment,” Rudacille said, adding that it is in the urban service area which encourages redevelopment and in-fill projects.
Cirque Italia has no animals in its act and would not sell alcohol, he said.
“It has operated in the Riviera Dunes community for several years with no issues,” he said.
Proposed are a grass parking area, maximum seating for 400 under a 20,345-square-foot tent for 40 days of performance a year, he said.
The proposed two-story commercial building would replace the existing glass company building and would accommodate 20,000 square feet of office and commercial space, as well as eight multi-family residential units.
The Manatee County Planning staff recommended approval of rezoning plans, noting that they are permissible under county regulations.
Because the property fronts onto State Road 70, the Florida Department of Transportation is responsible for addressing traffic issues.
Manatee County Planning Commissioners voted 4-3 to recommend the zoning request be approved. Voting for approval were planning commissioners David Roth, Mike Rahn, Bill Smock and Paul Rutledge. Voting against the rezoning were planning commissioners Cindy Kebba, John De Lesline and chairman Bill Conerly.
The request now moves on to the Manatee County Commission, which will decide whether to grant the rezoning.
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This story was originally published May 12, 2022 at 3:38 PM.
