Site could cement RMC deal

Manatee county is hopeful a five-acre parcel near Port Manatee will suit RMC South Florida’s needs for a concrete batch plant and soothe the minds of East Manatee residents fighting to keep it out of their backyard. For more than a year, the county and RMC South Florida have been trying to work out a place to put the plant, which originally was destined for a 10-acre parcel off Lena Road. While the Lena Road property is zoned for heavy industrial, neighbors in surrounding communities, including Rosedale and Heritage Harbour, have been working to have it rezoned to prevent a plant from being constructed there. The dispute resolution between the two parties began in February and has continued under the guidance of special magistrate H. Hamilton Rice.

Assistant County Attorney Bill Clague said the new parcel is located just several hundred feet west of the original port property. Unlike the first offering, a paved road is already in place and the property is zone for heavy industrial. "Right now, my understanding is RMC have to go and assess whether or not the property will serve their needs," Clague said.

Clint Miller, chairman of the East Manatee County Coalition, said that things are looking very positive and that he is hopeful the two sides may finalize plans at the Aug 22 resolution hearing. "I think everybody feels optimistic about it. It’s the right thing to do for the residents and the school kids," Miller said.