Save Gates Creek

06/22/2021

6-22-21 update regarding the Florida DEP site inspection:
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Section 404, who took over for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, sent two site inspectors on 4-21-21 to the Giddens 18-acre property at the request of Cox Chevrolet. They were there to perform an initial site inspection, including a look at Gates Creek, the wetland, and other parts of the property. The site report was finally posted 2 months later on the FDEP Oculus site [as of 6-22-21]. See our News page for FDEP Oculus links (also available at: https://prodenv.dep.state.fl.us/DepNexus/public/electronic-documents/ST404_396343/gis-facility!search ) and for more info: https://www.savegatescreek.org/news
We have strong concerns the FDEP may have a tendency to approve creek relocations and wetland adjustments more easily than the Army Corps of Engineers (the Army Corps was strongly opposed to relocating Gates Creek). The flooding issues are especially exposed in the Cox application's own words as they admit a need to raise the elevation of the entire property: "an average of about 4.5 ft of fill will be necessary to develop the site." An elevated 11-acre concrete parking lot in a 25-year floodplain can not be mitigated on-site and will cause tremendous flooding damage to all the surrounding neighborhoods, where all the stormwater runoff will go.

4-21-21 The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Section 404, who took over for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, sent two site inspectors to the Giddens 18-acre property at the request of Cox Chevrolet. Michael Miller and Carla Burrmann were there to perform an initial site

06/22/2021

For those wondering on the Auto Dealership issue, the Cox Chevrolet dealership will never be built at the northwest corner of 117th as this is not a valid commercial location. The improper zoning decision will be overturned with your support. The legal battle is being supported by over 200 local residents but more support is needed. You can provide support to save our neighborhood and make a difference! See the following links for more info at: https://www.savegatescreek.org/legal-case and https://www.savegatescreek.org/donate

Donor Members: Members who donate to the non-profit Save Gates Creek and its Neighborhoods become Donor Members. As a donor member, you will receive periodic updates as well as alerts and volunteer opportunities. You can donate any amount via the online link below or via mail. $500, $250, $100 or

03/03/2021

Our battle against Manatee County's faulty rezoning decision continues. For current updates, see our website News page:

3-1-21 Our case against Manatee County regarding a faulty commercial rezoning decision continues. No date has been set for a hearing before a judge. Manatee County has responded to our lawsuit in which they deny almost everything, not wanting to admit ANY of the properties surrounding the

01/24/2021

1-19-21 Cox Chevrolet's request with the US Army Corps of Engineers to move Gates Creek is now in limbo. The State of Florida requested approval from the EPA to transfer wetlands responsibility to Florida's 404 Program, one of only 2 other states to receive such questionable power, especially considering Florida's poor wetlands protection track record. This transfer was to go into effect in mid-January but strong opposition from a coalition of environmental groups has resulted in a lawsuit being filed to overturn this decision. Defendants include the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers. See https://phys.org/news/2021-01-environmentalists-sue-florida-takeover-federal.html and https://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/2021/01/15/environmentalists-challenge-permitting-change-in-florida/. This may now be tied up in the courts for years, leaving a question as to who has authority to permit any move of Gates Creek during this time!

A coalition of environmental groups Thursday filed a federal lawsuit challenging a potentially far-reaching move by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to shift permitting authority to Florida for projects that affect wetlands.

01/01/2021

The 2020 Year in Photos in the East County Observer "Community over Construction" highlights the struggle of protecting the community over the interests of one business, Cox Chevrolet. Protest walks were held in January, February and October (thousands signed a Change.org petition). In October, 4 commissioners voted to rezone this 18-acre parcel. In November, the nonprofit Save Gates Creek filed a legal appeal against Manatee County. Here's to 2021 being a Happy New Year!
https://www.yourobserver.com/east-county-observer-123120

12/30/2020

Numerous protest walks were held between January and October, opposing the proposed Cox auto dealership rezoning of a wet flood-prone piece of property with Gates Creek flowing through it. On 10-22-20, after 2+ years of opposition, the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-3 to allow Cox/Giddens a commercial rezone for the 18 acres, even though it is surrounded by residential uses on all four sides. This action violated numerous Manatee County Comprehensive Plan rules and regulations. Save Gates Creek has filed a lawsuit to overturn that faulty decision. We thank everyone for all of your support.

12/06/2020

Welcome to the Save Gates Creek and its Neighborhoods page. Please also visit our web site: https://www.savegatescreek.org for detailed information and news updates.

Our membership is open to all neighboring community residents at no cost. By joining you become a supporter of our efforts to prevent Gates Creek from being moved and paved over, our neighborhoods from being flooded and 18 wheelers from blocking our neighborhood roads.