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Zoning

Commission says no to rows of duplexes

By ANDREW MEACHAM
Published December 23, 2005

RUSKIN: Developers of Little Manatee Community, a large residential project, have modified plans to build homes south of Shell Point Road.

Prior to last week, Manatee Bay Associates was seeking to build about 400 homes. The developer's amended request drops the number to 360 homes, with an adjacent 78 acres acquired from the county in June to remain undeveloped.

Manatee Bay Associates has also submitted development standards for the subdivision with models ranging from 2,625 square feet to more than 6,000 square feet. The subdivision would also have private roads, sidewalks and garages for all homes.

CEO Richard McGiniss said in a statement that feedback from the county and neighbors in an open house triggered the change. The developer is seeking a rezoning for the property from agricultural to a planned development. The case goes before the zoning hearing master Jan. 17, and to the County Commission Feb. 28. (PETITIONS 05-1785, 05-1779, and 05-1926)

SUN CITY CENTER: Neighbors of a planned church might think they had won a battle against traffic in 2002. If so, they would only be partly right.

St. John the Divine Episcopal Church lost a proposal three years ago to allow cars to enter the church from E Del Webb Boulevard or U.S. 301 and cut through to the other side.

The church at 1501 LaJolla Ave. sits on 10 acres and will seat up to 300 people. The County Commission allowed the church to build its sanctuary, but prohibited an entrance on U.S. 301.

Now, the church has requested a change to allow an entrance on U.S. 301 again - but only so cars can park. Cars won't be allowed to cut through the lot, the church said.

Ty Maxey, a planner for Engelhardt, Hammer and Associates, said the current request does not allow cut-through traffic.

Dolores Berens, one of the residents who objected to the 2002 plan, said she would not mind an enclosed parking lot. A greater concern, she said, is teenagers driving to youth programs the church promised to launch. Too many drivers already disregard basic requirements such as stop signs and drive fast, she said.

"We don't like to say anything against the church, but we are already in danger in this area," Berens said.

The request goes to the County Commission Jan. 10. (PETITION 06-0064)

Andrew Meacham can be reached at 661-2431 or ameacham@sptimes.com

[Last modified December 22, 2005, 09:28:03]