Tracking growth: Lower-priced homes get OK

DUANE MARSTELLER
Herald Staff Writer

MANATEE - A proposed affordable-housing complex near Palmetto won an advisory panel's support Thursday after the board's chairman, who works for the developer, criticized media coverage of that fact and recused himself.

The Manatee County Planning Commission's six other members unanimously recommended county commissioners approve, with several conditions, de Morgan Communities' Caloosa Gardens project. The developer wants to build 21 buildings with 124 townhouse units, 31 of which would be designated as affordable for those with very low to moderate incomes, at 815 39th St. E.

If county commissioners approve the project next month, Caloosa Gardens could welcome its first homeowners late next year or in early 2007, said Dan Barwick, de Morgan's chief executive officer. It would be the company's second affordable-housing project in Manatee. The first, Oakview, is under construction.

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