Board rezones 45 acres to agriculture for Long Branch solar farm; applicant says site will generate low road traffic

Manatee County commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 6 to rezone roughly 44.7 acres from an extraction (BX) district to general agriculture (AG) for a solar energy project proposed by Tampa Electric Company.

Rebecca Kurt, attorney for the applicant, said the rezoned area is part of a larger parent parcel and that alternative energy generation—solar farms—is an allowed use in the AG district. She described the project as a passive use with minimal ongoing traffic after construction and said permitting would begin once county permits are issued; the applicant estimated an operational completion target of fall 2025 if permitting proceeds on schedule.

Staff recommended approval, finding the AG zoning is consistent with the site’s agricultural/rural future land use designation and that AG zoning better preserves lands and promotes agricultural economic activity than the existing extraction zoning. Staff noted the parcel lacks public infrastructure but said the passive nature of a solar installation would not require significant utility or water demands and that standard permitting would ensure necessary infrastructure compliance.

Commissioners discussed whether the county should prioritize siting solar projects on previously mined or disturbed lands in the future; the applicant said state law allows solar as a right in AG zoning and that solar sites are often easily returned to agricultural uses if technology or land needs change. Commissioner Bearden suggested the county consider incentives or policies to encourage siting on reclaimed mined lands where feasible.

The rezoning passed 6-0 (Commissioner Sadiq absent). County staff will process permit applications for the solar installation under the AG zoning and the county’s alternative-energy-generation specific-use standards.