On behalf of SMART Manatee, please read and sign this petition.   SMART Manatee is a coalition of neighborhoods located along Prospect and Tuttle Roads just South of  Whitfield Rd.   I have lived in a peaceful, single-family residential community for years now, surrounded by the beauty of the Hawthorne Farm, Upland Habitat, and Rattlesnake Slough.  But now that could all change if the proposed development of high-density apartments, known as the Prospect Apartments or Harborline at Sarasota & Luminara Place, is allowed to proceed. This development would not only disrupt the tranquility of our community but also drastically alters the character of the area that members of the community have grown to love.

The developers, Kittle Property Group, propose to build 643 "affordable" apartments  on 29.20 acres of property that is currently zoned as agricultural-suburban using twelve  3 or 4 story buildings completely surrounded by single family homes.  The  developers have applied for Live Local Act determination to expedite their development application through the Manatee County Development Services Department, bypassing the concerns and voices of local residents.

According to land use planning experts, high-density developments can lead to increased traffic congestion, strained infrastructure, and reduced property values for existing homeowners. Furthermore,  emergency services are not equipped to handle the influx of new residents that this project would bring.  Emergency response times would be slowed.  The environmental impact cannot be ignored. Replacing agricultural land with concrete will disrupt local wildlife habitats and increase flood risks due to reduced natural drainage.  

It is essential to stand up against this development to preserve the integrity and safety of our community.  SMART Manatee encourages responsible and sustainable growth that retains the community’s character and respects the concerns of the existing residents.

SMART Manatee is urging officials of the Manatee County and the State of Florida to hear our collective voice. Support comprehensive environmental and infrastructural impact studies before any rezoning decisions are made. Stand with us in protecting our homes and quality of life. Please sign this petition to stop this development and ensure that the character and life quality of our community are preserved for future generations. Your support can make a difference.

Southern Manatee Association for Responsible Transition (SMART)  also known as SMART Manatee