NORTH PORT — Toledo Blade Boulevard in North Port is a busy place.
It includes commercial developments like Publix, Aldi, Wawa and others. But there are also storage centers, a car wash, and even an industrial plastic sheet manufacturer King Plastic.
There are also the campuses of Imagine and Toledo Blade Elementary schools along with dance studios and day cares scattered along the road that connects North Port to Port Charlotte — and Interstate 75 to U.S. 41 and beyond.
Homes, too, are nearby in gated communities and apartment complexes.
But there’s more coming in the near future to the busy boulevard and eastern portion of the city, like the undeveloped Yorkshire area, as well.
“The addition of restaurant, retail, and commercial development along the Toledo Blade corridor, including development designed to provide public gathering space, begins to address the increasing need for these amenities for the eastern North Port community,” Development Services Director Alaina Ray.
North Port officials shared various plans that have been submitted by landowners.
While there isn’t a timeline, the projects do not have to go to the City Commission for approval, since they fall in with the allowed uses of the properties, officials have said.
Each are subject to “administrative approval,” according to city staff.
The situation is a bit different for an upcoming Starbucks. The coffee shop, for one, looks to be set for brewing since it’s part of an existing “activity center.” It only has to comply with guidelines for the activity center to be approved.
Other projects won’t need City Commission approval due to the adoption of the new Unified Land Development Code in early August.
That ULDC will allow sweeping zoning changes and is seen as key to bolstering the city’s tax base.
In a May presentation, City Manager Jerome Fletcher and city planners cited studies saying cities need 20% to 30% of its land to be commercial or industrial. North Port’s is between 8% and 11%.
Many members of the public were furious about its passing last month.
The new ULDC takes effect Oct. 28.
CHIPOTLEFor starters, the city’s second Chipotle restaurant is set for Toledo Blade.
The popular burrito-making building, set to be around 2,500 square feet, was submitted for a preliminary review.
There is a Chipotle near the Cocoplum Village Shops plaza about 6 miles away, and one in Port Charlotte 5.6 miles away off Tamiami Trail, close to Cochran Boulevard.
According to city officials, the new one is set for 1275 Sun Market Place. The undeveloped parcel is between Firestone Complete Auto Center and the new Aldi grocery store.
The new Chipotle would also be in close proximity to the Flats at Sundown apartment complex, a 224-unit development behind the empty parcel.
STARBUCKS Set for Toledo Blade Boulevard and Sun Garden Lane, on the same side as Aldi, North Port is slated to have another Starbucks.
It will be an addition to an activity center.
The proposed commercial development, according to city staff, includes the coffee shop and additional retail space.
This development is under review.
CREIGHTON CREEK CHILD CENTERA proposed 11,050-square-foot child care center is set to be on the other side of Toledo Blade, near Autozone.
Plans have it set to be west of Toledo Blade and south of Price Boulevard.
It will not be the only child care center coming to the boulevard.
King Plastic is working with the YMCA to create another about a mile down the road.
North Port’s new Y facility is being built to serve about 150 children — from 6-weeks-old to children in pre-K. Priority will be given to King Plastic employee children, and then general enrollment will be open to the public.
A March YMCA news release stated research found many child care centers were destroyed by Hurricane Ian, and that created a need for additional children centers in the city.
NORTH PORT TOWN CENTERThe “North Port Town Center” is a project to feature commercial and residential developments.
Set to be built at 1500 and 1150 Toledo Blade Blvd., south of Price Boulevard, a 40-acre proposed mixed-use development is planned.
It would be in the vacant parcels south of Aldi, toward and on the opposite side of the Sarasota Memorial North Port ER & Care Center.
It will include 150,000 square feet of restaurant, retail, and commercial space as well as residential units. A central “town green” will feature small music events, local craft fairs and more.
Anticipated businesses include a “major grocer,” health club, eateries, and other retail options.
A total of 384 residential units are also set for the North Port Town Center. They will be above retail space and in stand-alone buildings
The project, according to staff, has been submitted for a pre-application preliminary review.
THE DEVELOPMENT DEBATEFor years, some North Port residents have spoken out against development. There have been frustrations with the new ULDC and flooding — that some believe is more severe due to development.
Public Works officials contend flooding has not worsened. Other officials say bolstering the tax base with development and keeping people in town to shop in is crucial.
“In addition to seeking major employers and high-paying job creators, the city’s Economic Development staff have been aggressively pursuing restaurant, retail and entertainment developers, and will continue to pursue quality development that will serve our community and increase the city’s commercial tax base,” Ray said.
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