Rachel Layton, speaking on behalf of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners, opened a meeting that proceeded without a full board and read a long list of land‑use and ordinance items the board will not decide at this session.

An attorney identified in the record asked that deliberation on Resolution R2604 — a denial of a land‑use application — be rescheduled to Feb. 12, 2026, at 9 a.m. Layton announced numerous other continuances; most of the advertised hearings and quasi‑judicial rezonings were set for Jan. 28, 2026, at 9 a.m., while one subdivision phase (WillowBend Phase 5) was continued to March 5, 2026.

Public commenters seized on the procedural pattern. Mark Van derie, who identified himself as a Manatee County resident, told the board: “There will not be a quorum. There will not be a single county commissioner here today.” He urged the board not to continue the Busbarn and Zipporah Road rezonings without clearer notice and asked that the hearings be scheduled at a time certain so residents who hire counsel can plan to attend.

David Haynes, another resident who asked to speak for neighbors on Waterline Road, said he also expected to be able to address the board in person and supported a time‑certain placement for the Zipporah Road matter because long meeting days make public participation difficult.

The applicants and staff items that were announced as continued include: Resolution R2604 (continuance requested to Feb. 12, 2026); multiple county‑initiated land‑development text amendments (LDCT 2509, LDCT 2506) and several rezoning and comprehensive‑plan items (announced continued to Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.); a PDM/Trivesta item continued to Feb. 12, 2026; and WillowBend Phase 5 continued to March 5, 2026. One applicant item (Altman Rye Townhomes, PLN 2,502,169) was withdrawn by the applicant.

Van derie also pressed the board for preservation of neighborhood character, showing the meeting overhead and asking that the county consider protections for Zipporah Road’s canopy of live oaks. “This is a treasure of Manatee County, and it’s at risk of being clear cut, destroyed, gone forever,” he said, urging planners and commissioners to add agenda items to protect canopy roads.

No formal votes on the listed continuances were recorded during the session and the meeting concluded after the public comment period. The next scheduled dates mentioned on the record for the continued items are Jan. 28, 2026; Feb. 12, 2026; and March 5, 2026.

Planning staff and applicants who need to confirm scheduling or public‑notice procedures were not named during the session; the county attorney asked for one specific continuance date on the record. The board adjourned after opening the floor to future‑agenda comments.