Lakewood Ranch developers seek compromise with automotive YouTube star Cleetus McFarland
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Developers seeking compromise with automotive YouTube star Cleetus McFarland plan to build a residential neighborhood that specifically caters to motorheads to appease concern that expansion of Lakewood Ranch could spell an end to the race tracks.
The expansion would encompass 2,400 acres of land owned by SMR Taylor Ranch, but dozens of Manatee County residents and supporters from across the country filled the county commission chambers in December to oppose the plan over concern that development will lead to the demise of the Freedom Factory and Bradenton Motorsports Park.
The racetracks have operated in the community since the 1970s and came into prominence in recent years after McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, purchased and renamed the former DeSoto Speedway in 2020. Victor Alvarez owns the Bradenton Motorsports Park.
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Attorney Kyle Grimes, who represents LWR Communities LLC, told Manatee County's planning commission earlier this month that a compromise is in the works. Manatee County commissioners will consider the matter at a future meeting.
Grimes said the developer plans to designate 140 acres adjacent to the racetracks as a "race village" similar to the Motor Enclave in Tampa. The village would include townhome buildings with large oversized garages.
Developers also propose an 80- to 100-foot wide buffer between the two properties, and a berm wall that is at least 25 feet tall. Grimes said developers could build a road to directly tie the neighborhood to the race track property as well.
Every future homeowner throughout the entire SMR Taylor Ranch property would have to agree to deed restrictions that prohibit them from raising objections to race track activities or noise.
"This area will be specifically designed and marketed towards buyers, owners, and tenants that not only really understand and appreciate the uses and operations at the race track, but that want to live in close proximity to it," Grimes said.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Lakewood Ranch developers seek compromise on racetracks
