News briefs: County endorses campground expansion

Commissioners
endorse campground expansion

Owners of the Linger Lodge RV Resort say the campground portion of the property could be closed for almost a year during renovations.

Construction is expected to begin late this summer and might not be completed until the following summer. The restaurant will not be affected by the construction, except for a brief time when the parking lot is redone.

Owner Riverloft LLC will replace old water and sewer connections, upgrade the lift station, reconfigure RV spaces away from the Braden River, add 40 more RV spots (to 144) and a new check-in area and will add amenities such as a pool and permanent bathrooms.

The RV resort also now will be gated.

Manatee County commissioners endorsed those plans May 2 at the board’s land-use meeting.

“The goal is to refurbish,” said project spokesman Jason Green, of Weiler Engineering. “It’s solidifying the foundation of this development.”

Linger Lodge representatives worked with county planning staff to minimize impacts to existing trees and vegetation so as to preserve the “Old Florida” feel, Green said.

“I think what you’re trying to do is very interesting on a great piece of property,” Commissioner Misty Servia said.

Neighbors and community members spoke in support of the project, commending Riverloft LLC for its improvements to the property and restaurant since assuming ownership about two years ago.

“I am totally in support of approving the rezoning of Linger Lodge and all the improvements they’ve already done,” neighbor Thomas Byron said. “It’s obvious the property managers now really do care for the property they have. They are constantly putting in flowering vegetation.”

Representatives of David Henry, whose family owns two homes adjacent to  Linger Lodge, said the family supports the project, but remains concerned about access to its properties, which lie within the Linger Lodge RV Resort boundaries. Green promised commissioners access issues would be resolved.

No mobile homes will be allowed on the 17.72-acre Linger Lodge property.

The board supported the application 7-0.

Cell tower planned for Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch east of Lorraine Road likely will be getting a cell tower, designed to look like a tree, in a new 1,500-home project called Lorraine Lakes.

Lennar Homes sought approval for the tower after Manatee County commissioners denied it in October 2018. At that time, commissioners approved plans for Lennar’s residential community on 545 acres east of Lorraine Road and just north of the future Rangeland Parkway extension, but they denied the request for a cell tower on the property.

In a letter to commissioners, project planner Darenda Marvin said there was not sufficient cellular coverage for the area and the tower was desired to meet future demands.

Commissioners approved the project May 2, saying the “camouflaged tree” design, could potentially support all four major carriers and house a public radio system.

New hotel planned for S.R. 64

A hotelier is one step closer to constructing a Wisdom Hotel on property near the southwest corner of Interstate 75 and State Road 64.

Manatee County commissioners on May 2 approved for I-75/SR 64 Development Inc., to change the future land-use and zoning for a 6.28-acre site, allowing it to develop commercial/retail and hotel uses there at 911 64th St. Court E., Bradenton.

The site is adjacent to a existing Wendy’s restaurant and car wash.

Applicant representative Bob Schmitt said site plans will come back for recommendation from the Manatee County Planning Commission next month and approval by the County Commission later in June.

McNeal assistant principal named

The School District of Manatee County announced May 2 seven new assistant principals across the district.

In East County, Ashley Terry was named the assistant principal at Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary.

Terry was an English Language Arts elementary program specialist in Sarasota County.

Superintendent earns accolades

School District of Manatee County Superintendent Cynthia Saunders was honored May 4 for her efforts to expand educational opportunities for Latino students. She received the “Innovative Educator Award” during the Florida League of United Latin American Citizens’ Florida Awards Dinner Gala in Sarasota.

Saunders is implementing new educational strategies in several Title 1 Manatee County schools. For example, in August, Daughtrey Elementary will offer a dual-language program in which students from two kindergarten classes will receive both Spanish and English instruction.