Construction begins on Raven Crest community

EAST COUNTY — Construction has begun on the Raven Crest community, a 38-home development on 18 acres off Upper Manatee River Road.

A spokesperson for Meritage Homes, the project’s Arizona-based developer, said presales for the single-family homes will begin in March. The project’s first closing is slated for August.

Homes run from 2,665 to 4,332 square feet and will be priced from $300,000.

A construction crew, Tampa-based Ripa & Associates, began clearing the land for underground construction this month.

The Manatee County Board of Commissioners approved a revised site plan for the development, which called for an increase of lots from 31 to 38, in April.

The new plan eliminated common areas and facilities, rearranged subdivision roads and elimiated an inter-neighborhood tie.

In April, neighboring property owners complained about the development’s incompatibility with surrounding rural neighborhoods, but the applicant contended the low density of the project would fit with the area.

Raven Crest, built on land the county designated as urban fringe, which means developments cannot exceed three homes per acre, calls for one entrance off Upper Manatee River Road and 7.74 acres of open space.

Homes will be built at just more than two units per acre.

Raven Crest, which sits just west of the GreyHawk Landing community, calls for amenities such as a clubhouse, park and pool.

The subdivision will not be governed by a community development district.

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].