Manatee County eyes new properties for conservation, delays homeless veteran decision

The Crooked River Ranch property has been in the same family for decades, but on Tuesday, Manatee County announced the waterfront site is one of several under consideration for purchase for environmental protection.

Another larger tract of land called the Gamble Creek Preserve was also approved for conservation in the Parrish area.

"My late father and mother held deep affection for this old Florida property with its natural beauty and riverfront location," said Elizabeth Skidmore, Crooked River Ranch co-owner. "For my father, he's had it since the 70s. This place was his therapy. His place to unwind and commune with nature. It would be a treasured legacy to see it shared with others."

ICYMI: Manatee County Commission discusses effort to preserve environmental land

Commissioners voted to move forward on the effort Tuesday, at a county meeting where they also debated giving away county-owned property for affordable housing for homeless veterans. That debate ended in a three-to-one decision to table the matter after three commissioners, including two veterans, skipped the final vote despite attending the meeting.

More land considered for environmental protection

Two more purchases are gaining steam as part of an effort to protect land in Manatee County for environmental purposes.

Commissioners added the Gamble Creek Preserve and Crooked River Ranch to its growing list of tracts in line for potential purchase as part of a voter-driven effort in 2020 that established a new tax aimed at protecting environmentally sensitive land. The county has also granted preliminary approvals for the acquisition of additional land for the Terra Ceia State Park, Perico Bayou, Emerson Point Preserve, and Gospel Crusade.

The Gamble Creek Preserve is 238 acres of land owned by a church and often used as a Christian retreat. The property could be connected to the Twin Rivers and Devil's Elbow preserves for a connected 745-acre preserve system.

Crooked River Ranch lies farther to the west. The 68-acre property, with a half-mile of shoreline along the north side of the Manatee River, is in an area that lies about midway between Interstate 75 and Fort Hamer Road in Parrish.

"This is a chance to really be bold about conservation priorities," Commissioner James Satcher said.

The pros and cons of housing homeless veterans

Commissioners are seeking public input on a proposed affordable housing development for homeless veterans in west Manatee County, after voicing concern on Tuesday that the allure of a project could draw more homeless residents to the county.

The discussion comes as Manatee County and Bradenton grapple over the location of wraparound services that cater to homeless residents and the draw to downtown Bradenton, where elected officials have said they aim to implement restrictions on overnight camping.

Commissioners voted to table the matter for up to six weeks while they organize a community town hall at the request of Manatee County Chairman Kevin Van Ostenbridge.

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More: Manatee County community organization calls for more affordable housing

"My concern is for the neighborhood, the businesses, and the surrounding area," Van Ostenbridge said. "I need some kind of proof-in-the-pudding, and assurances and recourse... What are the potential impacts? Not all of these folks are from here either. It's going to become a magnet."

Commissioner George Kruse criticized the stance during a heated discussion. He was the lone nay vote to table the matter for future discussion. Van Ostenbridge won the vote after Commissioners Jason Bearden, Mike Rahn, and Satcher skipped out on the vote which was held after an hour-long lunch recess that was called mid-discussion.

"You are acting like they are going to put in some fly-by-night management company that's going to drive it into the ground and have homeless people sitting out on the front curb," Kruse said.

"To say, 'Well I need to do town halls with people,' I'm questioning how many town halls you insisted on having before we approved projects out east," he said. "I'm wondering if you've concerned yourself with what the residents in the surrounding area in that district felt about those projects when we readily approved those…. but conveniently now that it's over by District 3, we need to have town halls all over the place to make sure everybody is on board with this."

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Manatee County eyes land for conservation, delays homeless vet effort