What to know in Manatee: Lazy C Ranch project approved, multifamily housing on the way
Manatee County approved comprehensive plan changes for the development of the Lazy C Ranch, which is poised to bring thousands of new homes to East Manatee.
County commissioners discussed the project during a land use meeting on Thursday when they also approved plans for two multifamily housing projects and a new car dealership.
Lazy C Ranch
Commissioners unanimously approved a comprehensive plan change that allows for the construction of up to 1,100 residential homes at a development called the Lazy C Ranch in East Manatee County.
The 495-acre property is located at Rutland Road and Rye Road in Parrish. Thursday's vote focused on zoning changes that allow for the construction of up to three homes per acre on 405 acres of agricultural land located east of the county's Future Development Area Boundary line.
Previously: What to know in Manatee: Lazy C Ranch poised to build over 1,000 homes on agriculture land
The boundary marks the furthest to the east the county provides water and sewer services and is meant to restrict dense development on agricultural lands.
The Lazy C Ranch is the fourth development to receive similar approval to skip over the line. Similar approvals have been granted for an eastward expansion of Lakewood Ranch, the development of East River Ranch, and Gamble Creek Village.
Amara multifamily housing project
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approved a zoning change for about 20.2 acres of agricultural land located east of Interstate 75, at 2208 Lena Road, to accommodate the development of a multifamily housing project called Amara.
The project will be developed by the WB Development Group. Plans call for the construction of seven multifamily buildings 606 multi-family units, with plans for at least 25% of them to be priced affordably to receive a necessary density bonus. Each building is capped at a maximum of five stories.
Plans also call for community amenities like a walking trail, a dog park, a wellness center, sports courts, and a resort-style pool.
Eden Ellenton
Commissioners approved a small-scale comprehensive plan request by Eden Ellenton that grants additional density rights for a 30.24-acre property, to build a 259-unit multifamily housing project on the northeast intersection of I-75 and 29th Street East.
Commissioners voted 5 to 2 in two votes on Thursday to approve requests for the project. Commissioners George Kruse and James Satcher voted nay.
The approval increases the amount of density allowed on the property from 6 units per acre to 9 units per acre to accommodate the construction of 259 proposed multifamily residential units. A total of 227 of those are proposed as cottage homes, and an additional 32 are proposed as townhomes. The proposal also includes an amenity center.
Thursday's votes also approved rezoning requests for the property, which converted about 4.38 acres of Planned Development Mixed Use land, as well as 24.86 acres of Suburban Agricultural land, to Planned Development Residential zoning.
Gettel Genesis of Lakewood
Commissioners approved a preliminary site plan proposed by Gettel Bradenton Inc. for a vehicle sales, rental car, and leasing facility that includes an 18,500-square-foot building. The project will connect with Gettel Hyundai, which is also owned by Gettel Bradenton Inc. just east.
The unanimous vote approved several requests made by the car dealership, including a reduction in the amount of trees that have to be preserved from 75% of all trees taller than 2 feet to 10% of trees at that height. It also eliminates requirements for a landscaped buffer along the portion of the property that will connect to Gettel Hyundai.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: What to know in Manatee: Lazy C Ranch project approved
