Planning commission approves Guardian Angels rezone for single‑moms program in Palmetto

The Manatee County Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezone and preliminary site plan for a Guardian Angels‑led program serving single mothers and their children on Aug. 13, 2026.

Planner Paige Scribe, representing CNS Engineering, described the proposal as a rezoning of roughly 2.73 acres on US‑19 in Palmetto to allow eight semi‑detached single‑family homes that will host a nine‑to‑12‑month live‑in program providing housing, employment support and mentoring. Tim Boyd of Guardian Angels of Southwest Florida said the program focuses on preventing foster‑care entry when it can safely be avoided and emphasized background checks, mentoring and monitored external cameras. "It is a 9 to 12 month live in program that combines housing with accountability, employment, life skills, mentoring," Boyd said during the presentation.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on technical and safety details. Engineers said they had held a neighborhood workshop and adjusted the plan to add fencing and maintain buffers; Nathan Krause (DNS Engineering) said FDOT issued preliminary feedback about the US‑19 access and that an access permit and drainage permits would be required during site design. Staff planner CJ Mills confirmed that an evacuation plan will be required at the time of final site plan for properties in the coastal overlay. After discussion and public comment on traffic, dismissal procedures and evacuation timing, the commission voted 6–0 to recommend the PDR rezoning and preliminary site plan, with standard final‑site‑plan conditions to address access, stormwater (NOAA Atlas‑14) and evacuation planning.