Developer seeks zoning changes for 670 townhomes in Port Charlotte 

A developer is seeking changes to Charlotte County’s zoning rules to allow a new townhome community in the Murdock Village redevelopment area of Port Charlotte. 

The request, filed by KL JAK WP LLC and represented by Morris Engineering & Consulting of Sarasota, would reduce the minimum lot width from 20 feet to 16 feet and the minimum side yard road requirement from 15 feet to 10 feet. The changes would affect plans for up to 670 townhome units on nearly 155 acres. 

The property sits north of El Jobean Road (State Road 776), south of Seymour Avenue, east of the Como Waterway and west of Collingswood Boulevard, within the boundaries of the Murdock Village Community Redevelopment Area. 

County records show the parcel has a complicated past. About five years ago, a different developer pitched a large-scale water park and entertainment complex with hotels, retail and conference space. That plan never materialized, and the land later changed hands. 

The new proposal calls for up to 670 residential units, 250,000 square feet of regional commercial space, 150,000 square feet of other commercial uses, including governmental, and 150 hotel rooms, according to county staff. 

The current vision marks a significant shift from what the Board of County Commissioners approved in January 2020. At that time, the board signed off on plans for 2 million square feet of retail and commercial uses, multiple hotels with conference centers, a destination entertainment venue and a 45-acre water park. 

In an Aug. 24 staff report, Principal Planner Jie Shao wrote that the requested revisions would not negatively affect surrounding properties. She said the proposal is compatible with townhomes already under development to the west and aligns with the county’s comprehensive plan. 

The zoning modifications also would make the project’s design standards consistent with those of the West Port planned development next door, also located within Murdock Village. 

The county’s Planning and Zoning Board is scheduled to hear the request at its Sept. 8 meeting, which begins at 1:30 p.m. If approved, the recommendation will be forwarded to county commissioners for a final decision.