Manatee Commissioners Approve Density Increase in East County Development

BRADENTON – At Tuesday's Manatee County Board of Commissioners Special Land Use Meeting, the Preliminary Site Plan for Serenity Creek, an east county development in the Mill Creek area to which the developer was seeking extra density, was approved with stipulations regarding parts of the development that are on known flood areas.

Meritage Homes was first approved for Serenity Creek's Preliminary Site Plan in August of 2008. Their request was to increase density (from 1.38 to 1.78) and add 26 units to the 88 previously approved in their application, bringing it to 111 single-family, detached homes to be built on 64.79 acres. The Planning Commission and county staff recommended approvals after the developer agreed to the prescribed stipulations, including buyer notices and drainage easements for parts of the development that are on known flooding areas.

Commissioner Gallen asked, "Why is there not two roads in, when having more than 100 units requires it?" Staff answered that on the south end there is an emergency exit. Commissioner DiSabatino asked, "Who tests the soil for contamination when they take out the old septic tanks?" Staff wasn't really sure, but thought that fell on the DEP.