Neighbors plan to oppose proposed Waterline Road development in East Manatee
MANATEE -- Neighbors of a proposed housing development on Waterline Road in East Manatee say they hope to persuade Manatee County commissioners on Thursday the project is incompatible with their rural lifestyle and would adversely affect wildlife.
The Hillwood Preserve development calls for 195 single family detached residences on a 77.9-acre site.
The vacant site at 17145 Waterline Road is close to two bald eagle nests and contains gopher tortoise burrows, xeric oak and pine flatwoods habitats, which may be used by the scrub jay and other wildlife, according to the county staff project summary.
The site is also heavily forested, and county staff members are concerned "with the ability to provide tree replacement in accordance with the Land Development Code," the project summary said.
"It's the fact that they are a subdivision in the first place that makes it incompatible with our farming community," said Jack Richardson, whose 30-acre property is across the street from the proposed development.
He also said the site is too close to the county water treatment plant, and questioned why -- with 42,000 available permitted lots already approved -- the county would want to approve more.
Still, county staff members did approve the plans, and a special magistrate mediating the issue, Gary H. Larsen, rec
ommended the commission approve a revised general development plan.
"The new homes will preserve the residential character of the neighborhood," according to the county staff project summary. "The vicinity includes existing houses among pastures, suburban yards, and very little remaining natural land cover."
In 2013, the board voted 5-2 to deny a similar request by the applicants, Mary Jane Martin Smith and Richard I. Martin. They are seeking approval to rezone the property and a general development plan.
"The simple thing to say at this point in time is ... the recommendation of the hearing officer explains it all. and he found it should be approved, and we agree with that," said attorney Caleb Grimes, representing the applicants.
The commission will meet as a land-use body at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. The meeting agenda says it will convene at 9 a.m. but will be recessed until 10 a.m. due to a conflict in commissioner schedules.
Sara Kennedy, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7031. Follow her on Twitter @sarawrites.
This story was originally published February 3, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Neighbors plan to oppose proposed Waterline Road development in East Manatee ."