Lennar Homes wants to build up to 2,047 units in one of the fastest growing areas of Manatee County.
By Dania Hefley
Original Air Date: November 14, 2025
Host: The Manatee County Planning Commission recommends that the county commission approve another 2,000 homes on farmland in the already fast-growing area of Parrish. I share the details on this one.
Dania Hefley: In a 5-0 vote, the panel endorsed the Lone Valley General Development Plan by Lennar Home. The second largest homebuilder in the United States is asking for a rezone of 683 acres of agricultural land for up to 2,047 single-family homes on Buckeye Road. The decision now moves to the county commission for final consideration.
Parrish is already one of the fastest growing areas in fast-growing Manatee County, with thousands of new homes approved or under construction in that area. Traffic congestion, strain on schools and concern of flooding have prompted pushback by residents. County commissioners recently denied a 440-home development over flooding concerns. Two commissioners have brought up the possibility of a building moratorium.
The planning commissioners justified their endorsement with the developers’ commitment to fix local infrastructure that the county cannot afford. Lennar attorney Kyle Grimes explained how the developer is stepping in to pay for major roadwork upfront.
Kyle Grimes: You are utilizing the impact fee credit agreement. Without the project, you don’t have the impact fees to pay for this improvement.
DH: Grimes was clear the project’s impact fees would cover the cost of widening the substandard Buckeye Road.
KG: This project will provide that funding for this road and then some.
DH: The project also includes a crucial component for public safety: a land donation for a new fire station for the Parrish Fire District. Fire Chief Stacy Bailey testified that the station is desperately needed and has a direct financial benefit for the community.
Stacy Bailey: By putting this fire station in, they will immediately go to a Class Three, and that’s about a $1,500 savings per home insurance.
DH: However, a major point of contention for the public was the lack of affordable or workforce housing in the sprawling new community. Affordable housing advocate Glen Gibellina spoke about the moral obligation of developers.
Glen Gibellina: I think they have a moral obligation to the community to provide for the community. If they’re willing to come up to the plate and say, “You know what? You’re right. We don’t want that entry-level firefighter to drive 20 miles away from where he can afford to live. We want him to bicycle here or walk here.” Right? Is that such an impossible concept to understand? I don’t think it is.
DH: Planning Commissioner Matt Bower also acknowledged the gap between the amenities provided and the affordability for local workers.
Matt Bower: Glenn is right about the affordable housing on this project. I just wanted to say out loud that, if there’s something to consider there and the possibility there, it would be nice to hear if at all possible, but he is right about that property and having some affordable housing for those people areas.
DH: During the meeting, the Commission also debated a small but controversial plan for 16 additional homes in an existing Parrish subdivision, Willow Bend Phase 5. Residents argued that the increased density would exacerbate existing flooding issues. Manatee resident Gina Barker commented on the issue.
Gina Barker: Whenever there’s been bad storms or the hurricane Milton come through, our lake filled up real fast. Our road in front of our house, drainage—filled up real fast.
DH: The Planning Commission ultimately continued the item, asking the developer to come back with more detailed drainage plans.
Finally, the commission reluctantly approved a county-initiated plan to build a new, modern EMS station near Lake Manatee. Staff explained the current facility is dilapidated and response times are dangerously slow. Deputy Director of Public Safety James Crutchfield confirmed the problem.
James Crutchfield: Right now, as we sit here today, the average response time for this ambulance in this pocket of the county is about 17 minutes. The county’s average is eight minutes.
DH: Despite the urgent service need, Commissioner John DeLesline voiced concerns about the environmental location.
John DeLesline: You’re trying to put a round peg in a square hole.
DH: The motion to approve the EMS station passed narrowly with a three-to-two vote.
Dania Hefley, reporting for WSLR News.
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