Neal plans 221 homes out East

Winding River will have detached and townhomes.

MELISSA FOLLOWELLHerald Staff Writer

EAST MANATEE - An 82-acre parcel along Morgan Johnson Road may soon become East Manatee's newest riverfront community.

Neal Communities recently submitted preliminary plans to build the neighborhood, which has been named Winding River.

A citrus grove sits on the land that is zoned for suburban agriculture. Surrounded by residential areas, the proposed development would be on the corner of Morgan Johnson Road and 18th Avenue East.

Pending approval of the plans, the gated community will feature 91 detached, single-family homes and 130 townhomes, developer Pat Neal said.

Three of the 91 homes will be the residences of the Roger Hall family, who sold the property to Neal. According to property records, the Hall family has owned the land for more than 75 years.
Neal Communities developed a similar neighborhood, The Harborage on Braden River, south of State Road 70 off Natalie Way, where homes are priced from the mid-$300,000s. Neal has not revealed the prices at Winding River.

The Harborage combines single-family homes, townhomes and condos with a Key West flair.
"Winding River will be more or less a replica of our Harborage," Neal said.
The Harborage design included restoring preserves. Neal spokeswoman Linda Gross emphasized plans to use native plants in the landscape and preservation of mature trees on the property.

Much like the development of The Harborage, there are several wetland areas on the Winding River property that have been altered and need to be cleared of exotic species such as dense Brazilian pepper trees, according to ECo Consultants Inc.
Personality and preservation are important when developing a riverfront community, Gross said.

The community is slated to include a community recreation center and pool, along with a 7½-acre park with nature and riverwalk trails.

The single-family homes in Winding River are proposed to begin in the 3,500-square-foot range, considerably larger than their Harborage counterparts at 1,459 to 2,113 square feet.
Townhomes in Winding River will start at about 1,600 square feet.

It will take a few weeks for county planner Stephanie Brooks to review the project. If the review goes smoothly, a date for a public hearing will then be set.

The single-family homes in Winding River are proposed to begin in the 3,500-square-foot range, considerably larger than their Harborage counterparts at 1,459 to 2,113 square feet. Townhomes in Winding River will start at about 1,600 square feet.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© 2005 Bradenton Herald and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.http://www.bradenton.com