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Planning commission backs Lennar’s Lone Valley plan for up to 2,047 homes, citing infrastructure commitments
Summary
The Manatee County Planning Commission recommended approval of a 685-acre Lone Valley planned-development rezoning that would allow up to 2,047 single-family homes and a potential fire station after the applicant committed to road and utility investments. Commissioners and public commenters debated timing, traffic and affordable housing but voted 5
Manatee County’s planning commission on Thursday recommended approval of a 685-acre rezoning and general development plan for the Lone Valley project, a Lennar-led proposal that would allow up to 2,047 single-family homes and up to 15,000 square feet of public use space that the developer says could include a future fire station.
The development team told the commission the site is already designated UF-3 and that the proposal would preserve 99 percent of on-site wetlands, provide buffers exceeding county requirements and deliver roadway and utility infrastructure that the county currently lacks. Kayla Witkowski of Clearview Land Design, representing the applicant, said the design includes expanded wetland buffers and greenbelt areas and that the project follows the county’s comprehensive plan policies for urban-fringe residential development.
Lennar’s attorney Kyle Grimes and project engineer Chris Fisher outlined how the developer intends to help finance and deliver off-site infrastructure. Grimes said Lennar already built utilities and roadway segments on adjacent Prosperity projects and intends to continue that strategy: design work for the four-lane Buckeye Road has been completed and Lennar expects to build initial lanes and recoup costs through impact-fee credits as new permits are issued. “This project will provide funding to advance the roadway that the county does not currently have in its CIP,” Grimes said.
Staff recommended the rezoning, noting available potable water and sewer capacity, proposed buffers and the project’s compliance with the applicable land development regulations. James McDowell, development services staff, told commissioners the GDP would be reviewed again at preliminary and final site-plan stages where mitigation and detailed standards will be enforced.
Public comment ranged from support for improved fire and EMS service to concerns about affordable housing and the pace of development. Stacy Bailey, fire chief for the Parish Fire District, said the district supports a proposed site dedication for a station and called the agreement “a good plan” to address a recognized service shortfall. Several members of the public, including community advocate Glenn Ghibellina, urged Lennar to include workforce or affordable units in the project to help keep teachers, first responders and other essential workers local.
Commission discussion recognized both the scale of the proposed development and the potential public benefits of infrastructure delivery. Commissioners also urged the applicant and staff to continue exploring affordable housing options, but there was no specific affordability condition tied to the GDP recommendation.
On balance, commissioners voted 5–0 to recommend the rezoning and GDP to the Board of County Commissioners.
What’s next: The recommendation advances to the county commission, and the project will be subject to more detailed reviews and specific permitting conditions at the preliminary and final site plan stages.
