MANASOTA KEY, Fla. (WINK)—Neighbors are protesting plans for a Southwest Florida resort over concerns the project could disrupt the community's small-town feel and rich wildlife.
A handful of people waved signs at Englewood Beach on Saturday morning after word spread about plans for the Manasota Key Resort, just north of Stump Pass Beach State Park. Charlotte County records show the property owner plans to expand the resort after it was damaged in two recent hurricanes.
Manasota Key Resort, LLC plans to build 246 resort units on the property, according to county records. The company also plans to build bars, restaurants, dock facilities and other amenities. There will be nine access points throughout the resort on Shoreview Drive and Gulf Boulevard, according to records. Officials approved a site plan review of the project.
There are other plans for the resort. Cairns Cove, LLC filed a request to re-zone part of the property and build 50 residential housing units, according to county records. The company is registered to the same address as Manasota Key Resort, according to state records.
WINK News reached out to the resort for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
Some neighbors believe the project doesn't fit Manasota Key's character, raising concerns about increased traffic and environmental impact. Conservationists said turtles nest along Manasota Key's shoreline every year. The endangered Kemp's Ridley turtle has been spotted at Stump Pass Beach State Park, just south of the resort.
"If we start over developing this place, our commissioners are going to kill the goose that laid the golden egg," said Linda Powers, who showed up to the protest on Saturday.
Other protestors said they're concerned the expansion will increase traffic, flooding, and runoff into Lemon Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
"Where's the sewage going to go? Where are the cars going to go?," said Karen Dega Martin, who helped organize the protest. "This is a teeny, tiny, little road to Paradise, and we like it this way."
Martin said protesters will show up to the Charlotte County Planing and Zoning Board meeting on May 11.
