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Planning commission approves 80‑unit Cedar Cove affordable housing project in Bradenton
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Summary
Manatee County planning commissioners voted 5‑0 to approve Cedar Cove, an 80‑unit development at 600 Orlando Avenue that will set 25% of units as affordable, include services for people with special needs and seek state and local funding incentives. Traffic and flood concerns raised during public comment were addressed by staff and the applicant.
Manatee County planning commissioners on a unanimous vote approved a preliminary site plan for Cedar Cove, an 80‑unit multifamily development at 600 Orlando Avenue in Bradenton that developer Blue Sky Communities described as an affordable‑housing project with services for people experiencing homelessness and households at 60% of area median income.
The project team said Cedar Cove will comprise three three‑story buildings on about 3.64 acres, with 100% of the dwelling units designated as affordable and 50% of those dedicated to residents with special needs or who are experiencing homelessness. Blue Sky Communities’ presenter said funding sources include 9% low‑income housing tax credits, SAIL, ELI, NHTF, HOME‑ARP and local TIF and Livable Manatee incentives.
Staff and the applicant emphasized the site is in the county’s urban service area with utilities available. Case planner C.J. Mills told commissioners that staff found the proposal consistent with the comprehensive plan and applicable land‑development code sections. Transportation staff accepted the traffic study and said the project generates only 44 peak‑hour PM trips, below typical thresholds for turn‑lane warrants. Public Works staff and the applicant described a stormwater design sized to new, more stringent rainfall guidance and said the site will meet District and county requirements.
Several neighbors spoke during public comment raising flooding and traffic concerns. Frederick Snyder, president of Burgundy Unit 2 Condominium, described repeated flooding episodes in his area and asked whether additional development is appropriate. Resident Zack Clark urged preserving green space and fixing local drainage before adding more pavement. Nelson Galliano of Transportation Planning said the project’s peak‑hour trips are negligible and the impacted segment of Orlando Avenue would operate at level‑of‑service C after development.
Engineer Braulio Grajales said Cedar Cove’s stormwater pond is designed and permitted by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and that the project will treat and attenuate storm events including 10‑ and 100‑year events. He told commissioners the proposed parking reduction (from 133 required spaces to 106 proposed) is supported by an Institute of Transportation Engineers demand letter and that staff recommended the three requested variances.
The commission ultimately voted 5‑0 to approve the preliminary site plan and related waivers as presented.
If commissioners’ approval is upheld through final site plan review and required permits, Cedar Cove will move to permitting and building permitting steps next. The developer and the county still must complete final engineering, utility connections and any conditions of approval before construction.
