Manatee County approves 90-unit affordable housing project at Fifth Street

Manatee County commissioners on Oct. 9 approved a planned development rezoning and general development plan for “Fifth Street Almaden,” a proposed 3.38-acre project that will deliver 90 multifamily apartments restricted as affordable housing.

Elmington, the developer, sought approval to rezone the site from RMF-6 (residential multifamily) to Planned Development Residential and to permit 90 units, all subject to a land-use restriction agreement. The board voted to approve the application after a presentation by the developer. The motion to approve was made by Commissioner Amanda Ballard and seconded by Commissioner Bob McCann; the vote was 7–0 in favor.

The project will be limited to 26 units per acre under the plan presented; Elmington said the site could take advantage of an affordable-housing density bonus to increase allowable density to 32 units per acre but chose a 90-unit program it said best fits the parcel and community context. Elmington development director Aaron Vargas said the company builds, owns and operates its properties and that the project would include interior and amenity features typical of market-rate developments while keeping rents…