Manatee County Commission OKs Hillwood Preserve development in East Manatee

MANATEE -- The Hillwood Preserve housing development, to be built on a heavily forested site, won Manatee County Commission approval Thursday in a 6-1 vote.

Voting in favor were Commission Chairwoman Betsy Benac and Commissioners John Chappie, Vanessa Baugh, Larry Bustle, Carol Whitmore and Charles B. Smith. Voting against was Commissioner Robin DiSabatino.

The board approved a rezone of the vacant East Manatee property and a general development plan featuring 195 single family, detached residences on the 77.9-acre site.

The lush property at 17145 Waterline Road is close to a bald eagle nest and supports gopher tortoise burrows with xeric oak and pine flatwoods habitats, which may harbor the endangered scrub jay and other wildlife, said Joel Christian, county environmental program manager.

Neighbors contend the project is incompatible with their rural lifestyle, would destroy wildlife and contribute to traffic gridlock.

Neighbor Tim Almeter told commissioners the land was special and teeming with animals.

"When the development is there, all those animals will be gone," he said.

Caleb Grimes, representing applicants Mary Jane Martin Smith and Richard I. Martin, said: "We felt very strongly the site was in conformance with the Comp Plan, met our rules, was consistent with other developments in the vicinity and we wanted to be treated equally."

Although several commissioners wanted fewer units, the applicants declined to yield. They did agree to a 150-foot buffer along Waterline Road and a 50-foot buffer on the other three sides.

Commission Chairman Betsy Benac asked the county attorney about a construction moratorium.

"Everybody keeps coming and saying, 'Stop, just stop this, we can't handle anymore growth, we can't have anymore.' Can we ...right now adopt a moratorium and say, 'You're right, you know, we can't handle anymore?'"

"We can't pass that today," replied assistant county attorney Sarah Schenk.

After a five-minute break, Benac said she was not seriously proposing a moratorium.

Sara Kennedy, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7031. Follow her on Twitter@sarawrites.

This story was originally published February 5, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Manatee County Commission OKs Hillwood Preserve development in East Manatee ."