Planning commission backs rezone for Tampa Electric’s Long Branch solar parcel

Manatee County Planning Commissioners voted unanimously to recommend approval of a rezone request from EX (extraction) to A (General Agricultural) for a roughly 44.68‑acre portion of a larger Tampa Electric Company parcel in the Parrish area. Applicant counsel Rebecca Kurt said the change would allow the parcel to be used for a solar farm consistent with county land use categories for agricultural lands.

Staff and the applicant told commissioners the site would not require county water, sewer or road infrastructure improvements; the applicant and staff also noted any required improvements would be the responsibility of the owner. A nearby resident and renewable‑energy advocate supported the project and suggested agricultural‑compatible uses such as ag‑approaches beneath raised racking (agrivoltaics) as a best practice but offered no formal objection. The commission voted 6‑0 to recommend approval.