On second thought, Manatee Commission votes to allow more homes to be built on former Palm View Hills Golf Course

MANATEE -- Three months after the Manatee County Commission denied a rezone request of the now-closed Palm View Hills Golf Course, the rezone of the 56.22 acres in Palmetto was approved during a reconsideration hearing Thursday.

After a lengthy discussion, which included concerns from neighboring residents, the rezone passed 4-3 with Chairwoman Betsy Benac and commissioners Larry Bustle, Carol Whitmore and Vanessa Baugh voting for approval. Commissioners John Chappie, Robin DiSabatino and Charles Smith voted against the rezone, which will allow for more dense development.

"I don't understand why we are here," said Todd Williams, who lives in neighboring Deer Run. "We have been here once. ... I don't understand how we can continue to approve development north of the river when we don't have (school) capacity to handle it. It will damage the life we live, the way we live, the way our children will live."

The 56.22-acre property at 5712 28th Ave. E., Palmetto, is now zoned residential single family with maximum density of 4.5 dwelling units per acre.

The property was previously zoned in three categories: suburban agriculture, residential single family with maximum density of 4.5 dwelling units per acre and planned development residential with no associated site plan.

"This is what makes infill development so difficult because you got people around you," said Will Robinson, the applicant's attorney.

While the agenda said the maximum number of dwelling units is approximately 252 units, Bob Gause with Allison-Gause Inc. of Bradenton, agent for the owner, said the maximum amount of lots will be closer to 163.

"We understand it was a golf course," Gause said. "We understand the Deer Run people aren't happy about it being developed into something other than a golf course but the golf course is closed."

Gary Hamilton, one of the golf course owners, told commissioners he plans to sell the property.

"I want to see this become something, not only for the new owners and the homes being built, but the people in Deer Run have a nice quality of life still even if the golf course is gone," said Baugh, who voted against the rezone request in August.

Smith, who represents residents where the golf course in located, said the quality of life will change drastically.

"There is nothing to stop this land transaction from taking place without a rezone," he said. "It makes no sense for us to get in the middle of a business deal."

Residents who live in neighboring Deer Run, all wearing red shirts, questioned why they were back there Thursday after the rezone request was denied in August. The residents reiterated concerns expressed in August, including potential increased traffic, lack of school capacity, environmental risks and safety concerns. In September, Gause held a meeting with residents to address concerns.

"When you overturned your original ruling and decided to rehear this case, my family and my community were beyond shocked," said Yonilee Miller, a Deer Run resident. "You had made an educated and well-thought decision to deny the rezoning. In the weeks that followed, Mr. Gause and his team attempted to strong-arm a handful of us into a community meeting via email. He gave us very few options and ignored our requests to schedule it at a more convenient time so more of our neighbors could attend."

Miller told commissioners representatives of developer Highland Homes attended the community meeting and Thursday's land use meeting. No representatives from Highland Homes spoke Thursday.

"Every so often we are faced with decisions that impact the lives of others, not just in a general way, but in a very specific life-changing way," Miller said. "This is one of those occasions."

DiSabatino questioned when enough is enough, clarifying she didn't say to stop building.

"There is going to be a tipping point in this county," she said. "When people are going to say I'm tired of the traffic. We don't have the road capacity. We don't have school capacity."

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter@Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 7:52 PM with the headline "On second thought, Manatee Commission votes to allow more homes to be built on former Palm View Hills Golf Course ."