Savanna developers and residents settle after 4-year battle

After three years, residents and developers came to a compromise over a 5.23-acre tract of open space at the entrance of Savanna at Lakewood Ranch. 

The land will be developed, but there are limitations as to what can be done with the parcel.

“To be perfectly honest, we had no choice (but to strike a deal),” Savanna resident Anna Gonnella said. “We were going up against a very developer-friendly board of county commissioners. Had we not agreed, (the board) would have been able to deny our request, and we wouldn’t have had any bargaining chips left.”

Meritage Homes of Florida currently owns the property, but CASTO is the contract purchaser. CASTO is the development firm behind the Lorraine Corners and Center Point plazas.

The first and second proposals were denied by commissioners in January and June of 2021, but the tides began to shift at the Aug. 15 Planning Commission meeting. 

Residents formed a nonprofit called Save Our Savanna at Lakewood Ranch, hired attorney Dan Lobeck, submitted 50 pages of public comments and spoke to the Planning Commission in person. Despite all that, the Planning Commission recommended approval in a vote of 4-1.

“I think this is a good use of the land,” Chair Richard Bedford said. “I don’t think it’s going to affect the entrance of Savanna.” 

By the commission meeting on Aug. 22, an agreement between residents and developers had been reached. 

Original plans included a gas station, which is no longer allowed under the new terms. The only permitted commercial retail uses are a drive-thru restaurant, convenience store or general retail store. Allowable commercial services include a dry cleaner, bank and veterinary clinic. 

The site will be limited to 10,125 square feet of commercial retail use and a 12,000-square-foot child care facility. 

The Kiddie Academy has already brokered a deal with CASTO to lease the space, which will serve about 200 families in the area. 

Michael Chadwick, managing director of Southeast Development for CASTO, said there are no commitments for the retail space yet. 

“We’ll take it to the retail convention in Orlando and see what response we get,” Chadwick said. 

Residents didn’t have an issue with CASTO per se, they felt Meritage had been deceptive by selling to CASTO. Buyers in Savanna repeated the same argument over and over. When they were sold their homes, that 5.23 acres was labeled as “passive open space.” 

In 2021, Commissioner George Kruse called it an “unintentional bait and switch.” 

Meritage doesn’t deny the claim. However, its attorney Caleb Grimes said the land was never platted. To prevent a similar issue moving forward, a binding preliminary site plan was submitted. Any proposed changes would have to go before the commission again for approval.

Residents also argued that commercial wasn’t compatible for the area and it would only worsen current traffic conditions. 

Gonnella said the compromise that made her and the Save Our Savanna committee want to finally give up the fight was that Prairie View Drive, which is entrance to the community, will remain a private road. Meritage has also agreed to give the homeowners association $18,000 toward a gate.

The new plans have traffic flowing in and out of the plaza from State Road 64 instead. 

“I’m 74 years old. This is my forever home. I don’t have any fight left in me for this,” Gonnella said. “It’s going to change the quality of life for us, but this (more development) is what’s happening in Manatee County.”