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

January 18, 2025 | Manatee County, Florida

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This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »

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.

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