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The pre-submittal plans, filed by Palmer Place LLC, show residential village areas throughout the property. A 30-acre affordable housing vil- lage is shown on the western edge of the parcel. Palmer Place was first pitched in 2007, but it has been scaled back in response to concerns that the density of homes would be too high for the location. One proposal in 2008 called for 1,488 housing units, with half priced to be affordable to families that make no more than 20 percent of the typical income in Sarasota County. That larger version of the project met opposition from the Bee Ridge Neighborhoods Association and a split County Commission. DEVELOPER'S PROPOSAL The scaled-back project of 600 homes nar- rowly won approval in May 2008. Even with this smaller proposal, which includes 300 "affordable" townhouses, the development would offer the largest number of attainable homes in a single county proj- ect, if it comes to fruition. The developer previously received rezone approval under the density bonus provision of the county's affordable housing overlay zoning measure. Before the change, the prop- erty was zoned Open Use Rural, allowing one unit per 10 acres for a maximum of 41 units. The Palmer Place project is resurfacing at a time when affordable housing once again has become a community focus because of the shortage of attainable homes for purchase and rent. The 300 affordable units would be developed in coordination with the Community Housing Trust and remain attainable "in perpetuity," according to information posted online by the developer. The project would also result in the develop- er's transfer of right of way to the county, so Iona Road could be extended. The county also requires the developer to follow requirements for a greenway buffer, which is shown in the plans along the eastern and northern property lines. The developer told county staffers native habitat would be protected. % Plans for Palmer Place submitted as part of a pre- application packet show residential village areas throughout the property. The affordable housing section is in orange. Photo by Roger Drouin Sarasota News Leader July 18, 2014 Page 26