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Commissioners approve vacation of part of platted Gardenia Street to clear title and allow dealership expansion
Summary
After debate about public benefit and traffic impacts, the Board approved a resolution vacating a portion of a platted but unbuilt right-of-way known as Gardenia Street, allowing adjacent property owners to consolidate land for development.
The Board of County Commissioners voted to vacate a portion of a platted right-of-way known as Gardenia Street in Bradenton, clearing title for adjacent parcels and allowing the owner to expand an existing car dealership.
Background: The right-of-way appears on historic plats but was never constructed or accepted for public maintenance; county staff said the strip has been "paper only" for decades. Attorney Caleb Grimes, representing the property owner, told the board the vacation would let adjacent parcels be used more efficiently and avoid additional access points onto State Road 64.
Debate: Commissioners split over public benefit. Supporters said the strip is unusable as a county road and that vacating it will move a dormant land parcel onto the tax rolls and reduce the need for additional curb cuts on SR 64. Opponents argued the board should not give away county land without broader public benefit, questioned long-term stormwater and traffic consequences, and asked whether the county was losing potential future infrastructure space. Commissioner Vicki Feltz and Commissioner Bob McCann said they were not convinced the vacation served a public need.
Vote and outcome: After the board's initial attempt to deny the vacation failed, Commissioner Amanda Ballard moved and the board approved Resolution R-25-175 vacating the portion of the platted right-of-way. The motion passed 4-2, with Commissioners Feltz and McCann voting no. Commissioner Tal Sadiq was absent.
Technical and next steps: County staff noted the land currently sits off the tax rolls in county ownership; if vacated, the county appraiser will reassign the fee to adjacent parcels. The county attorney advised the procedure follows Florida statutory processes for plat vacation and local land development code provisions; any replatting and development must still follow permitting and transportation access rules.
Public comment: An aunt of the property owner and other supporters urged the board to clear the title to enable redevelopment. Opponents raised stormwater and traffic planning concerns and asked for more comprehensive planning before transferring rights.
Ending: The resolution clears title and allows the property owner and neighbors to proceed with plans that county staff and the property owner said will be for commercial expansion and more efficient parcel layout; staff will coordinate replatting and record changes with the property appraiser.
