CORTEZ – Developer Marshall Gobuty plans to enlarge the homes in the proposed Hunters Point project in Cortez, but will not increase the proposed number of homes, he said.
Gobuty, the founder and president of Pearl Homes, told The Sun that he plans to build 86 new homes in the Hunters Point Pearl Homes & Marina. The new homes will be built on the 18.7-acre property at 12505 Cortez Road W. surrounded on three sides by a canal that connects to the Intracoastal Waterway.
In 2018, the Manatee County Commission unanimously approved the Hunters Point rezoning request and preliminary site plan that allow 86 single-family homes to be built on 32½- by 62-foot lots that provide 2,113 square feet of space per lot.
The county approvals also allow for 62 hotel rooms, 11,100 square feet of commercial space, a 17-slip marina, 31 boat slips along the canal and one water taxi slip.
When the project was presented to county commissioners, architect Beth McDougal said the two-bedroom “Florida Cracker” style cottages would provide approximately 494 square feet of air-conditioned space.
“We’re trying to make them a little bit bigger. People want another bedroom.” – Marshall Gobuty, Pearl Homes President
The original project renderings showed “coastal cottages” with a single living level and wrap-around and rooftop decks. The renderings now posted at the Hunters Point website illustrate homes that feature two elevated living levels above ground level garage and storage areas.
In February 2019, The Sun toured the single-level Hunters Point model home constructed inside a warehouse in Palmetto, minus the ground level garage and storage area. The two-bedroom model home did not feature a second living level and the rooftop served as a large open-air deck that also provided space for solar panels.
When discussing the ongoing design modifications, Gobuty said, “We’re trying to make them a little bit bigger. People want another bedroom. We’re trying to get a third bedroom.”
The design revisions will also create more air-conditioned space.
“The presentation we did for the county shows a total living space of 3,302 square feet. That was based on the deck and the house itself. We’re still looking at overall living space of around 2,300-2,400 square feet, but the under-air space is probably going to run 800 to 1,500 square feet,” Gobuty said, noting homeowners will have the option to enclose their lanais to provide additional air-conditioned space.
Gobuty said each Hunters Point home will come equipped with solar panels and solar batteries as originally proposed. The intent is for each home to generate more electricity than it uses, thus achieving the net-zero energy use standard.
Gobuty envisions people moving into their new homes in early 2022.
Gobuty said the design modifications do not require additional county commission approval.
“That’s what’s approved, that’s what’s entitled, that’s not changing. I’m entitled for 148 units. We’re going to build 86 homes. That’s almost 50% less than our approved density. We said we’d build net-zero, LEED-certified homes and that’s what we’re building,” Gobuty said.
When contacted Monday, Manatee County Building and Development Services Director John Barnott confirmed Gobuty’s statement regarding additional county commission approval.
“We would review that in the final site plan. He still has to meet the setback requirements, but if the density’s not changing, it’s OK. The board approved x-number of units and that’s what we’ll hold him to,” Barnott said, noting the final site plan review will be conducted by county staff.
Gobuty said the proposed location for a hotel at the southwest corner of the property is no longer available because the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to use that area for stormwater retention as part of its future Cortez Bridge replacement project.
“FDOT came to us and said we can’t build there, so we are focused on the 86 single-family homes. We are entitled for 62 hotel rooms and maybe we’ll make 20,” Gobuty said.
Gobuty said the development could include some retail/commercial space as an alternative to hotel rooms, but the space lost to the bridge project prevents the inclusion of both.
Sales team announced
According to a press release dated Aug. 11, Pearl Homes has named Compass Development Marketing Group as the exclusive real estate agent for Hunters Point.
Issued by Compass, the press release mentions a “148-unit coastal lifestyle community soon to be constructed in Cortez overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.”
According to the press release, “The resort community and marina will consist of 99 homes for sale as well offer several dozen hotel units for sustainably-minded travelers.”
The site plan rendering Gobuty provided with the press release indicates 99 numbered lots, a small office building and no hotel.
When asked about the press release and site plan referencing 99 homes, Gobuty said the press release is already outdated due to the ongoing discussions with FDOT. He reiterated that his primary focus is to build and sell 86 single-family homes.
Property ownership
While operating as Florida Land Enterprises in early 2016, Gobuty and Bradenton resident Eric Grimes purchased the property formerly known as Hunters Hill from Swedish businessman Peter Thurell for $10 million.
Thurell bought the property from Frank Cipriani in 2002 and planned to build 36 two-story, single-family fishing village-style cottages and six townhouses atop 7,000 square feet of retail space.
According to the Certificate of Amendment to Operating Agreement dated June 8, 2016, Gobuty and Grimes were each listed as having 44% interest in Florida Land Enterprises at that time, with Pete Hoyt having 5%, Dennis LaSota having 5.5% and Bradford Meek having a 1.5% interest in the LLC.
In November 2016, Florida Land Enterprises changed its name to Cortez Road Investments and Finance, with Gobuty listed as president.
According to Gobuty, Grimes is no longer part of the Hunters Point project.
“We parted ways before the project was presented to the county commission. Pete, Brad and Dennis are still involved,” Gobuty said.
Grimes did not respond to The Sun’s request for comment.
