Developers ask to postpone hearing on Cox dealership. They’re still tweaking the plan
Editor’s Note: This story originally stated that the scheduled hearing for the proposed Cox dealership has been postponed. It was updated Feb. 19 to reflect that the hearing will still be held 9 a.m. Thursday Public comment will be held and the Board of County Commissioners will vote on whether to grant a continuance.
Developers are asking to continue a hearing for the proposed Cox dealership in East Manatee to a later date.
In a letter from Scott Rudacille, an attorney representing the applicant, county officials were notified Tuesday that developers will not seek approval for the rezone of 18 acres of land at the corner of State Road 64 and 117th Street East at Thursday’s Land Use meeting.
“We would like to request that this matter be continued to a date unknown to be readvertised,” Rudacille wrote to Board of County Commissioners Chairwoman Betsy Benac.
Public comment will still be accepted at Thursday’s meeting, and the Board of County Commissioners will vote on whether to continue the hearing to a later date.
The plan to build a dealership on that land has been met with staunch opposition from neighboring residents in the community who argued that a dealership would be an incompatible use on the edge of their neighborhood.
Neighbors also said they worried about the risk of increased flooding, due to the property’s location within the Gates Creek Watershed.
The Manatee Planning Commission voted 4-2 to recommend approval of the project, which includes a general development plan for a 150,000-square-foot car dealership. The Cox Auto Group operates two other dealerships on Cortez Road in Bradenton.
Rudacille said the request to postpone the hearing would allow developers another chance to meet with residents and communicate with the Florida Department of Transportation about the timing of planned traffic improvements in the area.
Developers are also still “working on additional modeling and stipulations to address questions related to stormwater and floodplain impacts,” Rudacille wrote.
“The board has received numerous emails related to this project, and we would like to make sure we have the opportunity to evaluate those comments, modify where appropriate and provide updated information for the board and the residents,” Rudacille wrote.
This story was originally published February 18, 2020 at 4:27 PM.
