Public Hearing on Controversial Long Bar Pointe Project Set for Tuesday

Members of the Manatee County Commission will hold a public hearing on the Long Bar Pointe development proposal that some fear could destroy the lucrative Cortez fisheries by demolishing over 460 acres of pristine coastal habitat.

A special land use meeting will take place Tuesday at 1:30 at the Manatee Convention Center, on Haben Boulevard in Palmetto. 

The county planning staff has recommended approval of the project, which would mean changing the 20-year comprehensive plan and converting area zoning from residential to mixed use.

The project calls for over 4,000 living units, commercial and retail shops, meeting space, a hotel and marina with over 300 boat slips, according to county documents.

Long Bar Pointe has been undeveloped for years. The waterfront property overlooks Sarasota Bay and parallels El Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.

However, residents are concerned the project, which would call for the removal of 225 linear feet of mangroves and dredging, would ruin the fishing industry, which is greatly dependent on the vegetation surrounding Cortez.  

A group called Save Manatee Coastline presented the Manatee County Commission with over 1,000 signatures of people opposing the project on Thursday and plans to bring nearly 4,000 more to the meeting.

They believe the project could set a standard by allowing developers to build in high hazard areas as well as allow the removal of mangrove trees and sea grass.

An online petition to stop the development has been created and is currently circulating on Facebook. 

What do you think about the project? Post a comment below to voice your opinion.

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