Pulte Homes Marwood Development

Update: June 3rd, 2021

We made our case this afternoon before the Board of County Commissioners regarding our opposition to the connection of Oakley Place with Marwood and are delighted that the Commissioners heard us, accepting our argument in a vote of 5-2 that the road was unnecessary and would only serve to create a  dangerous shortcut through our community.  That's it!  We're done with this subject FOREVER. Oakley Place will remain a no-through community.

The Marwood project of 70 homes was passed with a clause exempting the neighborhood tie.

Bradenton Herald report 6/4/21 

THANK YOU again to everyone who supported the effort to make our voices heard.

If you would like to send thank-you emails or notes to the Commissioners who supported removing the requirement for the interconnection, their names are Commissioner George Kruse, Commissioner Carol Whitmore, Commissioner Reggie Bellamy, Commissioner James Satcher and Commissioner Vanessa Baugh.  The address is the same for all, PO Box 1000, Bradenton, FL 34206

Update: May 31st, 2021

THANK YOU to the volunteers who walked door-to-door over the weekend gathering signatures for the Marwood petition. If you have not signed yet, please contact Phil on (941) 479-0488 or admin@oakleyplacehoa.com and he'll arrange to have you sign.  Remember, ALL residents over the age of 18 are eligible to sign the petition. 

The agenda for the County Commissioner Meeting on June 3rd has been published.  The Marwood project is the last of 10 agenda items. We are not sure how long it will take to get through the day's business but it will probably be into the afternoon session following lunch which was from  12 to 1pm at the first meeting. So, we probably don't need to get there until 1pm but who knows?  Members of the Board will be there from 11.30am just in case. 

Click here for the agenda.

Update: May 28th, 2021

The County Commissioner meeting is coming up quickly and we are in the final countdown to record our opposition to the proposed connection road that would make Oakley Place into a shortcut for other communities.

A petition is going around Oakley Place this weekend and volunteers will be knocking on every door.  EVERY resident in Oakley Place over the age of 18 is eligible to sign the petition, both owners and tenants. Also, every adult in each household can sign. 

If you can take the time to write a letter or email to the Commissioners, PLEASE do so because they are very effective.  They MUST be delivered by 11.59am on Wednesday June 2nd to be included in the meeting record.  You can email them to  vida.gordon@mymanatee.org.  Make sure that you reference the case as 'Marwood Rezone PSP PDR-20-17  PLN2010-0019' and you can simply address the letter to the Board of County Commissioners.  The mailing address is

  Manatee County Administration Building

Board of County Commissioners

1112 Manatee Avenue West

Suite #902

Bradenton, Florida 34205

If you wish to go the extra mile then the Commissioner's individual information can be found here. Scroll down to page 3 to get the individual email addresses.

The actual meeting will be held at 9am, Thursday June 3rd, 2021
Manatee County Administrative Center, 1st Floor, 1112 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205 (click for map).
The building is on the north side of Manatee Avenue, opposite the Court House. There is pay by the hour or day parking ($4) for the day nearby.

If you can attend the meeting, the more of us there, the better.  This is the final push - your help is desperately needed to demonstrate that we do not want Oakley Place forever changed for the worse. Once it's gone, it's gone - our community will never be the same. 

Update: May 14th, 2021

THANK YOU to all our homeowners who took the time to attend the Planning Hearing yesterday.  Everyone got to speak and the Commissioners said that we made an effective argument as to why the neighborhoods should not be connected. 

The Planning Commissioners were sympathetic and there was extended discussion about how the requirement for the road could be removed but, in the end, the project had to be passed because it was in compliance with all planning code requirements and there were no grounds for it to be denied.  Now it advances to the County Commissioner meeting on June 3rd for final consideration.

However, in recognition of the Planning Commissioners' support for removing the interconnect, Pulte Homes did commit to work with the county planning staff over the coming weeks to come up with an acceptable proposal to be presented at the County Commissioner meeting.  At this time we do not know if this process will be successful - but it's a good start with both the attorney representing Pulte Homes and the attorney retained by the Association confident that a suitable exception can be found and incorporated into the revised plans.

If you have not yet sent your letter to the Commissioners, please do so - this is the most important stage of the campaign. Every letter in support of removing the interconnect requirement helps.   

Update: May 7th, 2021

The Public Hearing dates and times have been formally announced.  Link to official notification letter

If you wish to speak in opposition to the connection of the two communities, and to have your say, please make every attempt to attend.  The issues identified at the Planning Commission public hearing will be the primary basis for the final decision by the Board of County Commissioners

If we do not speak up, if YOU do not speak up, Oakley Place WILL become a
cut-through community and a shortcut for Marwood traffic

Planning Commission Meeting

9am, Thursday May 13th, 2021
Manatee County Administrative Center, 1st Floor, 1112 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205 (click for map).
The building is on the north side of Manatee Avenue, opposite the Court House.  We are the 7th item on the agenda so it may be some time before they get to our case but a 10.00 to 10.30am arrival time is suggested.  There is pay by the hour parking nearby.

Board of County Commissioners
9am, Thursday June 3rd, 2021. Same location as above.

Update: April 20th, 2021

Zoom link for the community meeting April 21st, 2021   https://www.zoom.us/j/94306996496

Please email zoom@oakleyplacehoa.com for the passcode

Download information about the members of the Planning Commission and the Manatee County Board of Commissioners

Update: April 12th, 2021
In advance of the Marwood planning hearings, we will be holding a meeting for ALL Oakley Place owners at 6.30pm on Wednesday April 21st in the North River Estates Clubhouse (map link).

The meeting will outline the actions that YOU need to take to oppose the linking of Oakley Place with Marwood, including letters, emails, phone calls and a petition. The attorney representing Oakley Place, Patricia Petruff, will be in attendance to outline the process and to answer any questions.

PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND THIS CRITICAL MEETING

Update: March 18, 2021
The Marwood hearing dates are:

May 13th, 2021 - Planning Committee Public Hearing

June 3rd, 2021 - County Commissioner Approval Meeting

Meeting times to be confirmed.

The Oakley Place Board is in the process of organizing an owner meeting to present our plan of action in opposition to the proposed interconnection between the two neighborhoods. So far, the Planning Dept is showing no willingness to budge on that requirement despite the fact that Public Safety has no objection and neither Pulte Homes nor Oakley Place want it. 

Your involvement will be essential to having the residents' viewpoint represented forcefully at these meetings.

Update: Feb 24, 2021
You may be aware that there are plans to develop the land to the south of Oakley Place. Known as ‘Marwood’, this is the wooded area bounded by 60th Ave E and 29th St E where there has been activity in recent months. Pulte Homes is working on plans to build 70 homes - see proposed plat below.  

While the Association does not oppose the developer’s right to build on the site, we do oppose the Manatee County Planning Dept requirement that Marwood is linked to Oakley Place at the south end of 61st Ter E, permitting through traffic to both communities. (This is where the 6' tall white PVC fencing currently stands).  Also of concern is the loss of privacy for residents on the south side of 34th Ct E and the south end of 61st Ter E from new homes being built on what is currently vacant conservation land.  

Pulte Homes held a Zoom virtual meeting on February 3rd, 2021 at which they presented their proposals. There will be 5 styles of single and 2 story homes from 1,660 to 2,900 sq ft priced at $300k and up.  You can see an overview of the homes below and view details of the proposed home styles at one of their other developments in Pascoe County.

The HOA's Position

Your HOA Board believes that the proposed interconnection with the inevitable increased traffic-flow and noise, together with the loss of neighborhood security, would detrimentally affect the quality of life in Oakley Place and would diminish property values. It seems that many owners agree. We intend to oppose the connection requirement vigorously.  

Pulte has indicated that they have no problem NOT linking the communities but Manatee County seems to be insistent on the requirement because their 'Comprehensive Plan' requires that neighboring communities are linked together. It is understood that this is for the purposes of emergency vehicle access, mail delivery and trash pick-up. However, it makes no sense to us that, after 17 years of not being linked, it is now essential we are connected in order to meet the requirements of a county plan.

The Association has engaged a highly experienced land development attorney to represent our interests to Manatee County with the aim of convincing them, in unity with Pulte Homes, that the two communities do not need to be linked.

Timetable

As of Feb 3rd, 2021 the expected timetable (subject to change) is:

April 2021 - Presentation of plans to Manatee County Planning Commission for approval

May 2021 - Presentation of plans to Manatee County Commissioners for approval

Nov/Dec 2021 - Land development commenced

June 2022 - Land development completed

Nov/Dec 2022 - Model homes completed and open for sales

What's next

Every Oakley Place resident needs to be on-board and prepared to take action to oppose the tie-in requirement and make our opinions heard by Manatee County.  More information about what YOU can do to play your part will be provided shortly.  A meeting of the membership will be scheduled and notice of the meeting will be provided at the front entrances and on the website.  Please make every attempt to attend.