[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6191856,"mediaKeyId","4401433-d6875ae9174b4d92bd66def468b23974","parentId",4401433,"title","Residents urge county to address flooding after FEMA map changes; developers and commissioners debate causes","audioSeconds",180,"startMs",0,"endMs",180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4401433-d6875ae9174b4d92bd66def468b23974&start=0&end=180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4401433-d6875ae9174b4d92bd66def468b23974/thumbnail_0.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6191856/Manatee-County/Florida/Residents-urge-county-to-address-flooding-after-FEMA-map-changes-developers-and-commissioners-debate-causes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191856-20048f465491e17f1ae3d41ed8ee19fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770937781&Signature=hFAJUmZGPx60OILxfnWWYP3CbDu8mxh9YEtpa1jEU06soDXQD0U9FBlxrVt00d06yOy747V9C5H38n6XZvdsOm3AKfDm8cbXJJBhrXMhwCpqjTOnlrjmBfQSNB1gtWo6LQl1NNsVtPei5HYhHV-WUy-yoTuNSbMOcjb6vVlaow1SmlfPm6RyuCM7LDIGpiX1cYoQgyihb333kOoAscVBYrSjPw1d~PiwmBM7C26EiX9v~B0ejt4AOGCbcPSnzC7nhwfJevNk-385srXOZjsDD26V4D-QHSKsnj6kwdU8mJbn8Q8zB3ht2PRqJuwS-pdlc~qSKLxZjdUry-N~HPtm2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Manatee County, FL ","date","2025-06-19T20:51:18Z","article","Several residents told the Manatee County Board on Wednesday that recent FEMA map updates and local development have altered flood boundaries and increased the frequency and depth of flooding in low‑lying areas.

A woman who said she lives in a FEMA‑designated AE flood zone told the board her property was reclassified in August 2021 and noted earlier reclassifications in 2014 and 1997. She said development and changed topography from new projects have altered water flow and stormwater behavior. “We continue to see development projects get approved even when they push or reshape the flood boundaries. How is that okay?” she asked.

Mark Hopkins, another resident, said his daughter\u000027s home — built in 1909 — flooded for the first time last year with 22 inches of water and stressed family evacuation concerns, including moving horses under short warning. Several speakers pointed to a regional Gamble Creek watershed study and singled out post‑Ian changes and urban expansion as contributors to increased runoff.

Commissioner responses and context: Commissioners acknowledged residents\u000027 experiences and discussed the county’s existing tools on stormwater and infrastructure maintenance. Several commissioners urged broader engagement with state representatives to revisit preemption laws that limit local authority on things such as wetland rules or other land‑use controls. Commissioner Cruz explained that some final‑plat approvals had been preempted at the state level and described how a recent state bill had moved certain administrative approvals out of local review.

What the county said it can do: Staff and commissioners said the county continues to respond to drainage and road problems through public‑works maintenance and that some stormwater fixes require engineering work and capital funding. They urged residents to use the county\u000027s 311 app to report blocked ditches and other localized issues that need repair, and noted a forthcoming federal/state block‑grant package that will target stormwater and recovery needs.

What residents asked for: Speakers requested the county closely monitor maps and flood‑sensitive areas, prioritize stormwater and roadway improvements, and press state lawmakers about preemption that displaces some local control over development standards and wetlands.

No formal action was taken; the comments were entered into the public record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BCC Land Use Meeting 6-19-25","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents told commissioners that FEMA map changes, post‑Hurricane Ian development and altered watershed behavior have increased local flood risk. Speakers asked the county to act on stormwater, road conditions and development standards; commissioners acknowledged the problem and pointed to state preemption limits on some local powers.","taxTitle","Manatee County, Florida","taxId",12476,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6191861,"Port of Manatee hears company updates; shellfish nonprofit seeks to pair aquaculture with seagrass restoration",1680,10800000,12480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4401433-d6875ae9174b4d92bd66def468b23974&start=10800&end=12480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4401433-d6875ae9174b4d92bd66def468b23974/thumbnail_10800000.jpg","/articles/6191861/Manatee-County/Florida/Port-of-Manatee-hears-company-updates-shellfish-nonprofit-seeks-to-pair-aquaculture-with-seagrass-restoration","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191861-38e84fc471f6f074b8ca919aeda06acf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770937781&Signature=MAfXQKxApCRijqH6n6kJP6zmf7QVnDt8tBVEYUJbqFYruWvfmYo8viAYsKnpfU~edaASGjate8euahNE4EeDAU0OCi8GoSHuYFZ8gItjIWrjN7w85QFqT~MVz7eMFJvs0scxac48rukEq40wr7ZXT0hx8K2Cv8JTdf~55VSOe3OUgKMCA7ISO0z2Gb0nLDvC3fJguPB3amCm7NvPMOLhhn0yQTtbQAe8Ju2aWDMjlLNRMmqtMI2AEgj6ALycaMSNXtm4aKmW~O8KamDtZsn-HMWnAikgUaM6GiVIONVDHhZfEHMSPrnEGv~NofKWmsEyQvvzICBP9ZFi71K1bmzOow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Port of Manatee authority heard business updates and two presentations on Wednesday that highlighted expanding cargo activity and an experiment to combine aquaculture with seagrass restoration.

AR Savage & Son: Arthur Savage, representing longtime local shipping agent AR Savage & Son, outlined how ship agents coordinate charters, pilots, tugs, stevedores and customs for shipments calling at Port Manatee. Savage said port tonnage in the region has shifted in recent years — with Manatee\u000027s volumes growing from roughly 2 million tons a decade ago to about 7 million tons today — and stressed that the port has attracted new bulk and break‑bulk business. Savage described the port\u000027s foreign‑trade‑zone capability and how FTZ status can defer duties for certain imports, making the port more attractive to manufacturers and importers considering investment in the region.

Gulf Shellfish Institute: Dr. Steven Hesterberg, executive director of the Gulf Shellfish Institute, described the nonprofit\u000027s research and a $5 million regional project called \"All Clams on Deck.\" The project will test planting hard clams together with seagrass in selected bays from Tampa Bay south to Estero Bay to evaluate whether clams\u000027 filtration and nutrient delivery can improve seagrass recovery. Hesterberg showed pilot videos from Longboat Point and said the group will monitor plots with and without clams to quantify their ecological services, filtration rates and potential benefits for seagrass restoration.

Director\u000027s remarks: Port director Carlos Vakaris reported steady growth in port revenue and cargo mix, highlighted recent calls including an orange‑juice carrier and vessels bunkering and servicing regional needs, and noted interest from foreign companies in port‑area investment. Vakaris also outlined the port\u000027s international‑trade hub and work to market the port\u000027s foreign‑trade‑zone benefits to attract manufacturers.

What\u000027s next: The Gulf Shellfish Institute said it will continue pilot releases and work with local oyster and clam producers; port staff said economic‑development outreach will continue with international trade partners and prospective investors.

No formal votes were taken on these presentations.","At a quarterly Port of Manatee authority meeting, local shipping agent AR Savage & Son discussed terminal operations and the port\u000027s growing cargo volumes, and Gulf Shellfish Institute detailed a $5 million \"All Clams on Deck\" pilot to test pairing hard‑clam aquaculture with seagrass restoration.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6191866,"Commission approves 2‑story storage expansion in Parrish after heated public debate",240,4620000,4860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4401433-d6875ae9174b4d92bd66def468b23974&start=4620&end=4860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4401433-d6875ae9174b4d92bd66def468b23974/thumbnail_4620000.jpg","/articles/6191866/Manatee-County/Florida/Commission-approves-2story-storage-expansion-in-Parrish-after-heated-public-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191866-8e9af26a5b7a4323076a065c01b52167/orig.mp4?Expires=1770937781&Signature=FKHuTwEpmVXojyWEzVboacB7B4Cn486QWRP9mcspQvQ1luhEczFPw81~920DIY6aEj~ZZxkHNAyn82l2LHk1omxRhDXr0twPfBTYsXlLYlrH65ZVpsQS~wsqeKQxyMWeIh3xxUvvs9-c-5WR0GQtBTly8Id~5P493RvWX9OOVwiFO0gdiGhuhDaNaw4Tf-xz4a-J3NzgWNMgqiehjTb921LZmmel~aygUjXjyyXjvwyXa6McYd5FD2hu22EavRv5~AsCk74TP4Q9CN2VH~2EMYoDQFOECSIOb-R2IgI4pIoMgDJyi0UyFMKfOD50uaSeZa0aRhJpF6~dkOahOqsB-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Manatee County Commission narrowly approved a rezoning and revised preliminary site plan for a 2‑story, 18,000‑square‑foot addition to the Parrish Storage complex at the northeast corner of U.S. 301 and Fort Hamer Road on Wednesday, voting 4–3 in favor.

Commissioner Nadine Sadiq made the motion to approve, seconded by Commissioner Ron. The final vote was 4–3, with Commissioners Feltz, McCann and Bearden opposed.

Applicant remarks and staff findings: Applicant representatives said the addition sits behind an existing restaurant (C & K Barbecue) and would be accessed from U.S. 301 using the established driveway. They told the board the project would increase marked parking from 26 to 34 spaces (they will also count gated back‑of‑house spaces), provide required stormwater on site and meet land‑development standards. Staff recommended approval, finding the request consistent with the comprehensive plan and land‑development code, and said the traffic impact statement had been approved with the planned access configuration.

Public opposition: Neighbors described the area as an intended village overlay that had already been eroded by multiple self‑storage and commercial developments. “This neighborhood has 42 houses,” said resident Elizabeth Arnold. “We didn’t sign up for a corridor of storage units.” Other residents detailed perennial stormwater and visibility problems with notices, expressed concern about a proposed concrete‑walled retention basin with a six‑foot fence and said the new building would reduce the “village” character residents had hoped to preserve.

Support and developer response: Applicant counsel said the parcel is zoned for commercial uses, that the property owner had bought an adjacent lot to avoid a half‑built residence sitting next to the complex, and that security, landscaping and screening would be provided. Engineer and applicant witnesses said the pond design will comply with county stormwater rules and noted that concrete walls are sometimes required where space and slopes demand them.

Why it mattered: Opponents argued the approval would accelerate a trend of compounding storage properties along Fort Hamer and Rutland roads and degrade neighborhood character, while proponents said the infill site is appropriate for a low‑traffic storage use and that the design met code requirements.

What happened at the meeting: After lengthy public comment and back‑and‑forth among commissioners about buffering, parking calculations and the suitability of storage in the Parrish village overlay, the board voted 4–3 to approve the revised preliminary site plan and rezone. Commissioners Feltz, McCann and Bearden recorded opposition in the final vote.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve PDR-2422ZP (Parrish Storage expansion) — moved by Commissioner Sadiq, seconded by Commissioner Ron; outcome: approved 4–3 (Commissioners Feltz, McCann and Bearden opposed).","The county commission approved a 2‑story, 18,000‑square‑foot extension of an existing Parrish self‑storage complex despite strong neighborhood opposition. The board voted 4–3 in favor after residents raised concerns about stormwater, sign visibility and ingress/egress.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6191870,"Commission pauses neighborhood-workshop code changes after public feedback, continues review",2550,3600000,6150000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4401433-d6875ae9174b4d92bd66def468b23974&start=3600&end=6150","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4401433-d6875ae9174b4d92bd66def468b23974/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6191870/Manatee-County/Florida/Commission-pauses-neighborhood-workshop-code-changes-after-public-feedback-continues-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191870-2dea23ee6250312614339caa2c48a103/orig.mp4?Expires=1770937781&Signature=B0wuXYHr64x4Fkt2dRuNioSFKq~uIald62cKixSCO1ZivroaTVzh9TYjIqDj3ZChDqEYtvPPprJIImrnlOYjVfogWYU8t27A1Lw6~9kgdSN~Sx2mx3PXzoWQK7rUkYesJh7bWckn68ndUS5s2Jafg-vSYIuF3xgi1kMDwQTmORgg8MDLmJoT2tOioOeF44rrYAlyAwM~eb1w2pUN~2q29kXeY0o5HElsiYK3bleLzix8zSWeYXhQAGbzluAFlNnt11P8~1FRilbhdla5lkVAn78A29-xi~SV6NH2lvlmE9EDbY5h-5G0WNfQTwErDby82I3QhgVt~rEqWzS326PQYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Manatee County Commission voted 5–2 on Wednesday to continue a proposed amendment to the county land-development code that would make neighborhood workshops mandatory for many development applications and change how the county notifies nearby property owners. Commissioners Nadine Sadiq and Ron (seconded) moved for the continuance; Commissioners Feltz and McCann voted no.

The proposal, drafted by county planning staff, would require in-person neighborhood workshops for certain public-hearing applications, expand the radius for mailed notice in rural areas, set new timing for notices and signs, and require a written summary and affidavit of notice. Staff said they prefer in-person meetings but would allow virtual workshops only when special circumstances prevent in-person sessions.

Supporters of stronger notice and mandatory meetings said current signs and mailings were often invisible or ineffective in rural areas. “When you’re out there in the boonies … that little yellow sign was not visible,” Commissioner Fisher Phelps said, urging standards for sign visibility and placement. Several residents from east Manatee urged larger notice radii and certified mailing or clearer envelopes so neighbors do not miss meeting notices.

Developers and planning staff pushed back on some proposed requirements. Consultants said certified mailing can be expensive and unreliable for proving delivery, and asked that county and applicants share responsibility for effective notice. Some commissioners raised concerns that strictly requiring in-person meetings could reduce participation for people who work or lack transportation and that hybrid approaches deserve more study.

Planning staff told commissioners the draft aims to create consistent rules countywide, especially in rural districts where existing practice produces inconsistent results. Commissioners asked staff to return with a revised ordinance that narrows ambiguous language, clarifies when and how virtual options may be used, tightens sign-placement and visibility standards, and fixes mailing-list and radius procedures so they can be implemented.

The board’s action continues the item to no date certain, giving staff time to redraft. Commissioners said they wanted a version that balances stronger public notice with practical steps for implementation and that addresses problems residents, commissioners and applicants raised at the public hearing.

What’s next: staff will meet with applicants, property-appraiser and postal representatives and return with a revised draft and options for how to document and audit mail and sign notice.

Votes at a glance: Motion to continue LDCT-25-03 (neighborhood workshops) — moved by Commissioner Sadiq, seconded by Commissioner Ron; outcome: approved 5–2 (Commissioners Feltz and McCann opposed).","After two hours of public comment and commissioner debate, the Board of County Commissioners voted 5–2 to continue proposed land-development-code changes that would require neighborhood workshops and upgrade signage and notice rules. Staff will return with a revised draft reflecting public and commissioner concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge county to address flooding after FEMA map changes; developers and commissioners debate causes

Port of Manatee hears company updates; shellfish nonprofit seeks to pair aquaculture with seagrass restoration

Commission approves 2‑story storage expansion in Parrish after heated public debate

Commission pauses neighborhood-workshop code changes after public feedback, continues review