Meritage Homes plans 475-home community

National builder Meritage Homes is moving forward with plans to create a 475-home community in Lakewood Ranch.

The company's unnamed project, which sits on 304 acres, is located roughly south of State Road 64, north of the 44th Avenue East extension and west of Lorraine Road. Meritage plans to buy the land from Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch for an undisclosed amount by the end of the year.

The project, endorsed by the Manatee County Planning Commission Aug. 14, now heads to the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners for approval Sept. 4.