Developer seeks PDC rezone at Bourneside and State Road 64; staff finds proposal consistent with plan

An applicant team representing Casto Net Lease and property owner SMR Northeast LLC presented a request to rezone roughly 18.58 acres at the southwest corner of State Road 64 and Bourneside Boulevard to a Planned Development Commercial (PDC) district and to approve a general development plan allowing up to 250,000 square feet of commercial uses.

Attorney Kyle Grimes summarized the parcel’s inclusion in a 2018 local development agreement that allocated 250,000 square feet of commercial for "Commercial Parcel C5" in the Northeast Quadrant. Grimes said prior transportation mitigation identified in that agreement — including lane widenings and right‑of‑way dedication — has been completed and that the current proposal provides nonresidential support for an evolving residential area.

Planner Ria Hunter and staff discussed site constraints and noted wetlands adjacent to the southern property boundary will remain under stewardship-district protection; stormwater and utility capacity were presented as available and the applicant proffered a schedule of permitted/prohibited uses as part of the PDC application. Staff (Laura Gonzalez and James McDevitt) concluded the request is consistent with the comprehensive plan and Land Development Code and asked the commission to recommend approval.

Commissioners asked technical questions about ditches on the southern portion of the property, drainage maintenance responsibilities and potential site reorientation; Ria Hunter and the applicant said stormwater would be maintained by the property owner and that the wetland area is dedicated to the Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District for preservation. There was no public opposition on the record. The commission recommended approval.