The “castle” is a historic 1908 home on State Road 70 in the neighborhood known as “historic Oneco,” made famous by the Reasoner Family’s Royal Palm Nurseries, founded in 1881. Its current owners recently completed a "facelift" for the home and are fighting efforts to rezone the neighboring property to allow for three-story apartments.
Formally known as the Johnson Helm home, named for Johnson and Fannie Helm who built the house in 1908, the "castle" is one of only two private Manatee County residences listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The stunning home features Richardsonian Romanesque architecture.
“You have to love an old home and understand it to live in it,” says Margi Nanney.
Nanney and her husband Pat, a native of Manatee County, have owned the home since 1985.
“It was time for a facelift, and work has been feverish since the New Year to prepare the house for paint, replace glass, and do woodwork repair," Nanney continued. "New gutters will be added once the work is complete. This home is a landmark for our community, and taking care of it is a priority.”
The Nanneys are currently fighting a proposed development rezone which, if approved by Manatee County Commissioners on March 6, will put a four-structure, three-story apartment complex containing 116 units just 40’ from the historic home.
The development abuts wetlands to the south and could impact the Pearce Drain/Gap Creek watershed, which has historically faced flood challenges. Traffic along six-lane SR 70 is already challenged, and opponents of the development worry that it will create more dangerous conditions directly across from Oneco Elementary School.
“The Manatee County Planning Commission unanimously voted against recommending the developer’s proposal last August, but the developer is going to try to convince the BOCC that it’s a good idea," said Nanney, who heads up the Citizens for Historic Oneco community group. "This location is not appropriate for a rezone. The existing and future land use zoning should stand.”
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WTF
This house is on a main Thorofare. Back in the day it might’ve been appropriate but if you drive down that road today. state road 70 you will find businesses, churches, even a storage area that is fenced with shipping containers. And they’re worried about a contemporary three story housing development. It could’ve been worse. The storage container place could’ve came over across the street and they would be looking at rusted shipping containers all legal by the way.
Forward Progress not perfection….
Wednesday, January 15 Report this
hooker.nancy
I am totally in favor of progress but given the location of the property on which building these buildings is proposed, I am not in favor of the building permit being issued. Far too many times land has been rezoned in an area prone to flooding. We do not need more watersheds destroyed or damaged especially in an area which has historically faced flood challenges. We need housing and these buildings in a different location would help fill that need. Just LEAVE OUR NATURAL WATERSHED ALONE. For what it is worth, I drive by this area frequently and do not consider the storage area fenced with shipping containers a fit in the neighborhood, and they are offensive to look at. They look like trash. And they are near this historic home, an elementary school, and a church. We need better zoning ordinances.
Thursday, January 16 Report this
AllForOne
It's good to see that there are still some residents who are still willing to fight for what's right. Most of us have given up. Good luck Oneco!!!
Thursday, January 16 Report this