Charlotte Sun-Herald
11/21/07

The Loop gets early Charlotte approval

The major project would include 1.2 million square feet of retail space in South Charlotte County.

Early plans for a major South Charlotte County shopping center were given the OK from the County Commission Tuesday, but hurdles remain for the massive project known as The Loop.

A handful of residents with homes near the proposed Jones Loop Road project came to voice their concerns at Tuesday's land-use meeting, but Ted Brown, an attorney representing applicant Wilder/BN Jones Loop Holdings LLC, worked to assuage their fears, which were shared by the commissioners.

"It's important to recognize the action you've taken this morning does not include your further inquiry into this matter," Brown told the commissioners. "This is simply a transmittal hearing."

The County Commission voted unanimously to submit the plans for the commercial and residential complex to the Florida Department of Community Affairs for state approval of land-use map changes.

Developers hope to build The Loop on a 100-acre tract on Jones Loop Road. The project would include up to 1.2 million square feet of retail space, about 500 residential units, a hotel and office buildings.

"Development is intrusive, there is no question about it, but we've attempted to be very sensitive to the location of this project," Brown said.

Given Brown's assurances, members of the commission said they felt comfortable supporting the project at this very early stage.

"This is the right project in the right place at the right time," Commissioner Adam Cummings said. "I just want to make sure that we do it the right way."

Also at Tuesday's meeting, plans for a 122-home residential neighborhood in Englewood were given reluctant approval by the County Commission.

Ainger Creek Properties LLC was granted a preliminary plat for cluster housing on a 31-acre site east of Lampp Drive and south of the Sarasota County line.

Members of the commission were concerned that the project will only have one entrance to the neighborhood.

"I think it's an injustice to the people that live there," Commissioner Tom Moore said.

But the hearing was quasi-judicial, and attorney Richard Browne said there was no competent substantial evidence for the commission to use to deny the legally entitled project.

The project passed 4-1, with Moore dissenting.

"It's not a good place to have a development," Cummings said, "but those development rights were given away years ago."

You can e-mail Neil Hughes at nhughes@sun-herald.com.
By NEIL HUGHES
Staff Writer