Commission deadlocks on disputed Lakewood Ranch roundabout; status quo maintained

Commissioners spent more than two hours debating whether to enforce a November 2024 participation agreement with Schrader Manatee Ranch (SMR) that would have SMR design, permit and build a roundabout at University Parkway and Legacy Boulevard and obligate the county to reimburse a substantial portion of the cost. Clark Davis, Public Works deputy director, told the board SMR ‘‘indicated their intent not to cease working on the roundabout and to continue performing per the terms of the contract.’’

The dispute centered on competing priorities: some commissioners and residents argued the public had not been adequately notified and urged a signalized intersection instead of a roundabout; others warned that attempting to terminate the agreement could expose the county to costly litigation. Bill Galvano, representing SMR, said the company had ‘‘taken steps, incurred expense, [and] restructured plans to comply’’ and described the agreement as legally binding.

Commissioner Tal Sadiq moved to direct staff to close negotiations and proceed under the existing agreement; Commissioner Ron seconded the motion. After a period of board discussion and an extended public comment period in which residents repeatedly asked for engineering and traffic studies, the vote produced a 3–3 tie. The chair announced the motion did not pass and the matter remains status quo.

Public comment was dominated by concerns about transparency and pedestrian/bicycle safety. Carol Cooper told the board the SMR town-hall meeting she observed ‘‘was a dog and pony show’’ and asked where traffic and engineering studies were. Several residents said the county’s capital improvement plan and project listings still show signalization work and not a roundabout, and asked why the documentation did not match the participation agreement.

Several commissioners urged compromise and negotiation. Commissioner Sadiq framed the issue as a contract dispute, saying the county either faces litigation costs or must spend money to build the improvement residents want. Commissioner Cruz argued the county should honor legally binding contracts to preserve the county’s reputation for reliable procurement.

The board did not adopt any new direction at the meeting. Staff outlined options including amending or restating the agreement to permit a signalized intersection as an alternative, but no formal change was approved. The item may return to the board for further direction or negotiation.