Vacant land was cleared, piles of dirt and sludge were dumped and eyebrows were raised in Cortez late last month.
Bell Net Assets LLC purchased a 2-acre lot from the estate of Hamlin Jones — the late past owner of the Seafood Shack restaurant. The Manatee County Property Appraiser website indicates Bell Net Assets purchased the property May 17 for $430,000.
Karen Bell said June 28 her family owns “the property all around it.” She is the president of A.P. Bell Fish Co. and owner of Star Fish Company Market & Restaurant, as well as a number of residential properties in the village.
She said workers were hired to clear the property and piles of dirt were delivered in late June.
In answer to complaints, Bell said she did not approve a sludge delivery when she gave permission to a pool company to place fill on the property.
She also acknowledged the work should have been permitted.
Manatee County code enforcement chief Jeff Bowman agreed.
An earth-moving application must be filed and reviewed by county officials to prevent any adverse drainage issues for adjacent properties, he said.
Bowman said his officers have visited the site, investigated the activity and, while dirt was brought in, he was unaware of any dumping.
“Everything should’ve stopped,” Bowman added.
According to Bell, short-term plans for the property include storing crab traps and boats, as well as boat repairs.