BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County commissioners have approved the phase two Coquina Beach drainage improvement plans that call for the removal of 87 additional Australian pine trees.
Native trees will be planted on a one-to-one ratio as replacements for the removed Australian pines, as was the case with phase one of the county project, and in accordance with the city of Bradenton Beach’s land development code. The replacement trees will consist of shady lady black olive trees, gumbo limbos and green buttonwoods.
The replacement trees for the 103 Australian pines removed from the south end of the beach parking lot during the phase one project last year were planted last week.
Public Works Project Manager Michael Sturm presented the phase two plans to county commissioners on Tuesday, June 16.
The phase two drainage and parking improvements will take place in the center and north parking areas of the county-owned beach in Bradenton Beach. The drainage improvements will include new stormwater pipes and paving the remaining unpaved parking areas with pervious pavement that allows rainwater to drain through it.
Sturm’s presentation noted the completion of phase two would result in more than 900 striped and paved parking spaces at Coquina Beach. Approximately 700 of those paved parking spaces will be created in phase two. Sturm’s presentation notes the previous number of parking spaces was unknown because there was no formal layout for the unpaved spaces.
The estimated phase one cost was $3.36 million. The estimated phase two cost is $3.62 million.
Commission feedback
Holmes Beach resident and County Commissioner Carol Whitmore voiced the only opposition to the phase two plans.
“Now’s probably not even a good time for this to be coming up,” she said in reference to other parking issues that have surfaced on Anna Maria Island.
“Use that $3.6 million on something else we desperately need,” she said.
Commissioner Misty Servia felt differently.
“I am excited about the phase two project, especially when we consider the lack of parking out on the Island. The removal of the Australian pines in favor of native trees that are going to provide shade and canopy to the beach area is a great thing in my opinion. I am ready to make the motion for approval,” she said.
Commissioner Steve Jonsson seconded Servia’s motion and said, “I was certainly in favor of doing phase one first and seeing how that came out. I was out the visiting the site three weeks ago and it came out really well. It was a huge improvement.”
Jonsson said he was skeptical at first of the pervious pavement but seeing the phase one improvements changed his mind.
“I’m looking forward to getting the second phase done. We’ll have those 900 spaces,” he said.
Commissioner Vanessa Baugh referenced a summary of facts included in Sturm’s presentation.
“Originally there were 990-plus Australian pines. In phase one, we only removed 103 of those 990-plus. Then in phase two it would be 87,” she noted.
Commission Chair Betsy Benac asked Sturm if the phase one and phase two improvements would produce more usable parking spaces at Coquina Beach. Sturm said they would.
Benac asked if the Australian pines along the multi-use path would remain in place. Sturm said they would.
Benac said she has not received any negative feedback since the phase one tree removals occurred and the phase one work ensued, and during Tuesday’s meeting, no one provided public comment on the matter.
“I am going to support this due to the fact that we’re going to have more usable spaces with these improvements,” Benac said.
Benac noted the paved parking spaces will provide beach access for all Manatee County residents and visitors.
“I think that’s a good thing,” she said.
The commission voted 6-1 in favor of moving forward with phase two, with Whitmore casting the only opposition vote.
