Proposed changes to Manatee County land development code available for public review

MANATEE -- A series of proposed changes to Manatee County's land development code intended to encourage redevelopment along six urban corridors are now available for public review.

With a more surburb-oriented code, a number of handcuffs prevent redevelopment along these major roadways, according to county officials.

Littlejohn Engineering Associates, an Orlando-based consultant, has been working on proposed changes to the land development code, which implements the Comprehensive Plan for urban corridors. As the consultants reviewed the county codes, they also found changes could be made to both documents that apply countywide, according to the county website.

"It is one incentive," Lisa Barrett, county planning manager, said of the proposed changes. "We need more but this is just the beginning."

Proposed changes include allowing an increase in density and intensity as well as allowing mixed use along the urban corridors, Barrett said.

"This will specifically say you can get density and intensity if you meet certain guidelines, which are now estab

lished in design provisions, and then they don't have to go to the board, which will reduce time," she said. "They will know what they have to do up front design wise."

The changes would only apply to the parcels along the six major corridors: Tamiami Trail, 15th Street East, 53rd Avenue East/State Road 70, Cortez Road, Manatee Avenue and First Street.

"The existing regulations prescribe 'suburban' types of uses and development pattern, making infill, development and redevelopment in these areas more difficult and more expensive than other areas of the county," according to the county website.

"These regulations limit reinvestment, as evidenced by the number of vacant, underutilitized properties and distressed buildings along the major corridors in SW County."

The public can comment on the proposed changes, which were posted to mymanatee.org Tuesday, until May 23.

Comments can be emailed to lisa.barrett@mymanatee.org.

There will be a public workshop for LittleJohn consultants to present the draft amendments from 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 1 at the Central Library, 1301 Barcarrota Blvd. W., Bradenton.

"The June 1 public workshop is important so people once they review these proposed amendments the consultants can explain specifically how they will work," Barrett said.

The commission will have to approve the proposed changes before they go into effect. Public hearings for the Comprehensive Plan amendments to transmit the proposed changes to the state are scheduled June 9 for the Manatee County Planning Commission and June 21 for the Manatee County Commission.

The commission will then adopt the amendments to the Comprehensive Plan at a later meeting and adopt the text amendments to the land development code at a future meeting.

Once adopted, the developments along the urban corridors will go through administrative review instead of going before the commission, which reduces time and cost, Barrett said.

"If you meet these specific design standards, you can get this density and intensity," she said.

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter @Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 11:51 PM with the headline "Proposed changes to Manatee County land development code available for public review ."