Planning commission recommends approval for SRQ AutoPort garage‑condominium plan with tree and stormwater stipulations

The Manatee County Planning Commission voted 7‑0 on March 12 to recommend approval of a privately initiated comprehensive‑plan text amendment and an amended general development plan that would allow a two‑story "garage condominium" development on about 4.38 acres east of North Tamiami Trail.

Applicant representative Scott Rudasil told commissioners the project would use roughly the front half of an 8.82‑acre parent parcel and retain a ground‑level footprint similar to an earlier approval while allowing unit owners the option to build interior second floors. "We're requesting your recommendation of approval," Rudasil said, describing the development as owner‑occupied vehicle storage with limited hangout space rather than residential uses.

Staff planner Lindsay Craig said the proposal would amend a D‑5 limitation to increase permitted nonresidential square footage from 66,625 to about 134,984 square feet and would keep the site in planned development commercial with the same permitted and prohibited uses. Craig told the commission the site is in four overlay districts, that the project provides about 45.2 percent open…