REAL Exclusive Magazine

Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group Newsletter #4.

Is Lakewood Ranch Viable to Become a City?

Prepared by the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group

They say timing is everything in life, so it is very appropriate to explore the timing of incorporating Lakewood Ranch.  In our previous newsletter we asked if this is the right time to incorporate, and concluded that there was no advantage in waiting and many to moving forward.  Next we are going to discuss another aspect of that same issue:  are we big enough to incorporate now?  What size do we need to be to consider incorporation?  These questions were among the first ones considered when exploring the possibility of incorporation.  The Study Group has developed some compelling arguments which prove that Lakewood Ranch is viable to become a city.  Think about these facts:

· The existing population base of LWR already is larger than most cities in Florida.  Of the 412 cities and towns in Florida, the median population is 5,600 and 60 percent of Florida cities have 10,000 or fewer residents. LWR has approximately 15,000 residents.

· Of the six municipalities currently located within Manatee County, only Bradenton is larger in population than existing Lakewood Ranch.  Palmetto is slightly smaller, and Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, and Longboat Key all are significantly smaller in population.

· Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice and Palmetto combined would all fit within the geographical boundary of LWR with thousands of acres left over.

· The LWR area is expected to continue to experience significant ongoing growth and development over the next 10-20 years.

· The population of LWR is projected to double over the next 8-10 years.

· There are currently approximately 11,000 jobs within LWR.  This is expected to double over the next 10 years.

· LWR has a distinct flavor that is separate and apart from the rest of the unincorporated areas of the county. LWR has outgrown its traditional rural character and has evolved into a more urban mixed-use community that is better suited to be governed as a city rather than by county government.

Clearly, Lakewood Ranch is big enough now to become a city.  When you add these facts to the advantages of immediate access to tax revenues now being collected by the state and two counties, along with the ability to manage our own future, it’s easy to see that NOW is the time to incorporate. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO GET INVOLVED

Forward this email to your friends and neighbors within LWR to ensure they are informed.

If your neighborhood or group has not yet attended a charter draft presentation meeting, please contact us via email at IncorpStudy@lwrdv.com. We will be happy to arrange a presentation.

If you are interested in joining the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group, please contact us via email at IncorpStudy@lwrdv.com

If you want more detailed information on the pros and cons of incorporation, the incorporation process, FAQs, the charter, etc. visit our website at www.lwrdv.com/incorp.

Posted as  a public service announcement by REAL Magazine. REAL Magazine takes no position on the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch.