Residents Sue to Block Expansion of Westminster Senior Living Community in Bradenton
A group of Point Pleasant residents has filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the City of Bradenton’s approval of a proposed expansion at Westminster Point Pleasant, a senior living community located along the Manatee River.
The legal challenge contests the city’s decision to grant a land-use amendment and zoning change that allows for increased building density on the Westminster property. The approval, passed earlier this year by the Bradenton City Council, raised the allowable residential density from 15 to 40 units per acre, paving the way for additional housing and facility upgrades at the riverfront campus.
Residents who brought the suit argue that the city’s approval process violated local development regulations and failed to adequately address potential impacts on infrastructure, traffic, and the historic neighborhood's character. If a judge rules in favor of the petition, the city would be required to rescind its approval and restart the review process.
The Westminster Point Pleasant campus, part of Westminster Communities of Florida, has operated in Bradenton for decades, offering independent and assisted living services to seniors. The organization says its goal is to modernize and expand housing options for older adults, ensuring residents can age in place within a continuum of care.
Opponents, however, maintain that the proposed scale of redevelopment would significantly alter the area’s small-community feel and increase strain on nearby streets and utilities.
The case is currently pending before a Manatee County circuit court, and no hearing date has been scheduled. City officials and Westminster representatives have not yet issued public comments on the lawsuit.
