Manatee County OKs plans for grocery store, daycare and more in booming area
A commercial complex with a grocery store, daycare center, storage facility and more is coming to State Road 64 after approval from Manatee County officials.
The 195,000-square-foot project at the intersection of State Road and Uihlein Road could also include a restaurant. After commissioners originally denied the project in December, developers presented new information at the commission’s April 23 land use meeting.
Developers returned with more specifics on what is planned at the site, updated stormwater plans and an agreement to give up on plans to build a similar-sized commercial development in another area near State Road 64.
Those revisions were enough to swing Commissioner Amanda Ballard’s vote in favor of the project. Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the project, with Commissioner Bob McCann in opposition, Commissioner Jason Bearden absent and the District 1 seat vacant.
Commissioners and some residents said this project will bring essential services, especially the day care, to nearby neighborhoods.
“We hear about the crisis of lacks of daycare all over the country, certainly all over Manatee County,” Commissioner George Kruse said. “We need this service.”
Developer plans grocery store, storage facility, daycare
The developers — Casto Net Lease Properties LLC and Albatros 64 Partners — asked to rezone about 15 acres of vacant agricultural land to commercial use.
About 130,000 square feet of the project will be used for a self-storage facility, with another 45,000 square feet slated for a grocery store. Developers said the grocery store will not be a Publix, but rather a “smaller format” grocery store like Aldi.
With the remaining space, developers hope to bring a daycare center and a restaurant.
Kyle Grimes, a lawyer representing the applicant, said by adding more commercial uses closer to neighborhoods, it alleviates traffic because people won’t have to travel as far for some services.
“Providing commercial in close proximity to residential where there’s not a lot of it today is a solution to traffic concerns. It allows for shorter trip lengths. It prevents people from heading all the way east on State Road 64,” Grimes said.
Commissioners approve large commercial development
Residents expressed mixed opinions about the development.
Mark Bruce, a resident at Mill Creek in East Manatee County, said he’s in favor of the project to add services in the area and alleviate traffic along the State Road 64 corridor.
“The growth of Lakewood Ranch is obvious, and they need services,” Bruce said. “They need grocery stores, they need child care and all those things to prevent more westbound traffic towards White Eagle and the corridor that we live in.”
Owner and operator of Discovery Point Twelve Oaks in Bradenton, Roger Clough, said he hopes to open his company’s second daycare at this development.
“We need to start development now to have a center open in a year’s time to serve the families and children in need of these services,” Clough said. “We are fully investing in this project and meeting the needs of the community by establishing a child development center.”
However, others shared concerns about State Road 64’s capacity to handle more development.
“During peak hours, the entire corridor struggles at times that matter most,” said resident Elizabeth Arnold said. “This isn’t about just that intersection. It’s about whether the corridor works, and right now, the corridor doesn’t. We’re dealing with a corridor that’s beyond capacity during peak hours, and that should matter when we make a decision to add more traffic to it.”
In response to concerns about infrastructure not keeping up with development, Kruse argued the county is addressing those issues.
“This is a quadrant where the infrastructure actually is getting put in ahead of the requests being made, four-lane roads to the south, roundabouts, traffic calming,” Kruse said, adding that State Road 64 is more difficult because it’s not owned by the county.
Commissioner Tal Siddique, who voted against the project’s original denial, continued his support for the project.
“I think you’ve made appropriate and meaningful changes — transferring entitlements, the roadway buffers are sufficient,” Siddique said. “I don’t have any other concerns there, and I’m generally in favor of the project.”
McCann said while a daycare might be needed, he felt that area doesn’t need a storage facility or grocery store. He told the board they should “listen to the people,” and argued that adequate infrastructure is not in place.
“I think that what you need to look at is what you’re building in that area, and you’re building too fast, and we can’t handle it,” McCann told the applicant.
However, the board approved the project, with McCann casting the lone opposing vote.
