New affordable housing complex approved in Oneco, but neighbors have objections
.jpg "Manatee County officials approved a 94-unit affordable housing complex in an Oneco neighborhood just north of State Road 70. The complex is expected to open sometime in 2025.")
Another affordable housing complex is coming to Manatee County’s Oneco neighborhood.
The three-story Oneco Living Apartments development will put 94 rental units on 5.3 acres of vacant land just north of State Road 70. The majority of the units will be rented at market rate, but 24 of those apartments in the 5100 block of 18th St. Ct. E. will be designated affordable housing.
In a presentation to the Manatee Board of County Commissioners, planners said they designed the project to be as cohesive as possible with the surrounding neighborhood, but more than a dozen nearby residents spoke during public comment to say the affordable housing complex does not fit.
“There’s a fine line between meeting the affordable housing need and trading it off for the quality of life of existing Manatee County residents,” said Margi Nanney, a longtime Oneco resident. “Please don’t take ours away.”
“Apartments in the middle of low-density, single-family housing is not the right decision for Oneco,” added Jonathan Van Dyke, who represented the Groveland Homeowners’ Association.
The Manatee County Commission recently approved 301 Flats and The Savoy at 301, a 100% affordable housing complex also located in Oneco. The combined 572-unit complex is the largest affordable housing project in the county.
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Neighbors seek project changes
Neighbors complained about the height of the building and the traffic it will add to 18th Street Court East, which is a narrow road. County staffers asked the developer to use that street for access because it keeps vehicle traffic away from the railroad that runs along the west side of the property.
A few board members agreed that 18th Street Court East might be a difficult spot for site entry.
“I’m very familiar with this area and my biggest concern is the traffic,” said Commissioner Amanda Ballard, who lives in Oneco.
Others noted that state law requires the county to improve the roadway, not the developer.
“That’s not how the state works. That’s not how our approvals work. If we think 18th [Street Court East] is inadequate, put it on the [Capital Improvement Plan],” said Commissioner George Kruse.
While affordable housing is one of the top issues for residents in Manatee County, and many other areas of Florida, proposed projects can fall victim to NIMBY-ism, which stands for “not in my backyard.” Neighbors who would have to live next to such housing often fight it.
More affordable housing in Oneco
In his presentation to the board, Bob Gause, a certified planner and president of Gause and Associates, Inc., said his team specifically designed the complex to include landscape buffers and impact windows to reduce the sound associated with an active railroad line.
“At the end of the day, we want to be able to rent these units,” said Gause.
According to Gause, the existence of the railroad line will be disclosed to future tenants. Board members said they expect residents will welcome the addition of affordable housing, even if it means living near the tracks.
“You want affordable housing? You can only charge so much to live next to the railroad tracks,” Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge said.
“I promise you there will be 94 families that will pay some amount of money to live next to a railroad track,” Kruse added.
Commissioners voted 4-2 to approve the rezone and preliminary site plan for the Oneco Living Apartments. Commissioners Jason Bearden and Ballard voted against the proposal. Commissioner Vanessa Baugh was absent and did not vote.
Gause said he expects the construction to begin sometime next year, with the apartments accepting residents in 2025.
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