Manasota Key resort plan sparks debate over wildlife, flooding fears

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Dozens of neighbors showed up to a planning and zoning board meeting Monday afternoon with signs protesting a proposed resort development on Manasota Key, only to learn the project wasn't on the agenda.

Charlotte County officials announced at the beginning of the meeting that the Manasota Key Resort was never scheduled for discussion. Despite that, neighbors arrived ready to voice their concerns about protecting wildlife and stopping rezoning efforts.

The tentative plan for the Manasota Key Resort would include building 246 new resort units, along with bars, restaurants, and dock facilities on the property just north of Stump Pass Beach State Park. Officials have approved a site plan review of the project, and developers are also applying for a zoning permit to build 50 residential units next door.

Protesters said they're worried about protected species, flooding risks, and laws that prevent barrier islands from being rezoned. 

Amy Hiberd, a protester, said the development would threaten endangered sea turtles.

"It makes me cry. I'll tell you why. Last year, a Kemp's ridley turtle laid a massive clutch of eggs right there where she was born. Her daughters are going to come back, because that's what they do. They lay their eggs where they're born. They're going to run into a 10-foot-high concrete wall," Hiberd said.

Another protester said the development would destroy what makes the area attractive to visitors.

"This beautiful area is why it's attractive, and so you start paving it, you start cutting off access for the wildlife, endangering the migratory birds that visit our shores and the endangered turtles, then guess what? You don't have what you came to visit. It's no longer the beauty that you came to visit," the protester said.

The county has not determined when the Manasota Beach Resort will be added to the planning and zoning board agenda.

Neighbors said they plan to continue protesting the potential development.