Dear Manatee County Commissioners,

Another large-scale development east of the Future Development Area Boundary (FDAB) is coming before you for approval on May 24th. We believe this could have a detrimental impact on the environment and local communities. We urge you to STOP approving these developments until suitable alternative designs are brought forth that respect and preserve the rural and agricultural characteristics of the surrounding land and communities, as called for in our Comprehensive Plan.

Both the already-approved SMR Taylor Ranch project and the East River Ranch proposal before you next week are in our watershed. Detailed analysis and stringent measures are needed to continue to protect water sources like our watershed area that drains into our Reservoir.  Do we know what sort of impact pollution or run-off from such projects in the watershed could have on our water supply? Has the county followed all best practice guidance from Florida Statutes, SWFWMD, and DEO guidelines to ensure proper raw water and plant capacity analyses have been done in the light of the size of proposed growth east of our urban boundary?

Furthermore, we are concerned about the traffic implications and future infrastructure and utility costs that will affect all tax-payers. Comments provided by FDOT for one of the propsed amendments states: "FDOT determined the proposed amendment will likely have adverse impacts to transportation resources or facilities of state importance." And goes on to say: "Based on the
analysis provided by the applicant, SR 64 from I-75 to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and SR 70 from Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to Lorraine Road as six lane facilities are projected to fail in year 2045 based on background traffic. In addition, SR 64 from Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to Rye Road (requiring 8 lanes) and from Lorraine Road to East River Ranch Road (requiring 6 lanes) are projected to fail due to project traffic. Also, the analysis indicates that SR 64 from Lorraine Road to CR 675 as a two-lane Roadway is projected to fail with project trips by 2045." You can read their full comments in the agenda documents here: https://agendaonline.mymanatee.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Documents/ViewDocument/5-AGENCY%20COMMENT%20REPORT.PDF.pdf?meetingId=391&documentType=Agenda&itemId=30310&publishId=77980&isSection=false

It seems clear that our roads are not ready to accommodate such growth out east. According to our comprehensive plan, preserving agriculture as the primary land use east of the FDAB through 2040 should still be a priority. We believe massive expansion prior to then runs the risk of overburdening our system before it is ready for massive growth out east.

And we have to wonder if anyone considering these traffic implications has tried to traverse that section of SR64 on a race day at Bradenton Motorsports/Freedom Factory? It already becomes a parking lot on big race days. Imagine that route with thousands more homes on each side of the track. 

The creation of East River Ranch Boulevard in the Comp Plan amendments appears to be part of the solution to the anticipated traffic problems. But in order to create this road, it looks like it will have to go over the private property of residents that are NOT part of this development project and do not want a large subdivision's road running through their property. We hope you will respect those individuals' property lines and fight for their rights as well.

We understand that economic growth is important for our community, but it should not come at the expense of our environment or quality of life of existing residents and taxpayers. There are alternative solutions such as infill development or redevelopment of existing properties that can provide economic benefits without harming our natural resources.

The people of Manatee County urge you to prioritize responsible growth management practices that protect our environment, our agricultural lands, and promote sustainable economic growth.

Sincerely,

East Manatee Preservation and Concerned Residents throughout Manatee County