Panel forwards PDC for Talavast convenience store and 13‑pump fueling station despite traffic capacity concerns

The commission recommended approval, by a 5‑2 vote, of a rezone and preliminary site plan to unify a 0.66‑acre outparcel at the southeast corner of a 36.28‑acre parent parcel at US‑301 and Talavast Road into the Planned Development Commercial (PDC) zoning district and to permit a 6,157‑square‑foot convenience store with 13 fueling pumps (including five diesel pumps and eight regular pumps).

Linda Stewart of Morris Engineering presented the plan for the applicant; Jane Caldera, the applicant’s traffic engineer, described a site design that uses the existing private Fleet Center Drive (Manatee County Transit fleet driveway) as the primary access with a limited‑access right‑in driveway onto Talavast where the limited‑access line stops. Caldera and staff said utilities exist and the site is consistent with the recently adopted Heavy Industrial future land use in the area.

Transportation reviewers and the applicant acknowledged a specific capacity issue: analysis shows the southbound left movement exiting the Fleet Center Drive toward US‑301/20 First Street East would be over capacity in peak hours and no practical mitigation (roundabout, signalization or similar) appears feasible given spacing and design vehicle constraints. Manatee County transportation staff said the likely operational result is that some drivers will instead take alternate routes (for example, turning right and using the signal at 20 First Street East). The applicant said the access would be subject to an access agreement with the county; property‑management staff indicated the site is currently under contract but not yet closed.

Public commenters and nearby community representatives raised safety and equity concerns about using a county‑owned private driveway for commercial access and asked whether the county would assume any liability for accidents on that shared facility. Transportation staff said commercial access agreements typically include negotiated indemnities and the final terms would be worked out between county attorneys and the applicant; property acquisition staff said access agreement terms are pending and not finalized.

Commissioners split on readiness; Commissioners Eslinger and Keba voted against, citing unresolved safety and traffic concerns. Commissioner Onstead moved approval; Commissioner Bauer seconded. The motion passed 5‑2. Staff said required mitigation for transportation and stormwater would be reviewed at final site plan and the applicant must obtain additional permits and execute access agreements before construction.