For the second time in a little more than a month, Leesburg commissioners have voted to extend the due diligence period on a 1,127-acre parcel the city is selling to The Villages Land Company.
The vote, which was taken Monday night, also includes a new closing date on the property, which is located north of County Road 470 near the Florida Turnpike.
According to City Manager Al Minner, three issues still need to be resolved as part of the due diligence process. Those are:
• A consumptive water use permit between Leesburg and The Villages;
• Completing a general government services agreement (roads, parks, recreation, building fees, fire services, etc.); and
• A bulk wastewater agreement.
Minner said that while he’s “very confident” the three remaining items will be worked out, the due diligence period needs to be extended to Oct. 31 from Sept. 20. He added that several key Villages personnel have been on vacation recently, which also led to the need to extend the deadline.
Because of the latest change, Minner added, the closing date on the land must be extended past Oct. 8. He asked commissioners to agree to a new closing date of on or before Nov. 16, which they did.
Commissioners took a similar action last month when Minner also requested an extension of the due diligence period. At the time, the same issues were being discussed, as well as completing the mineral rights escrow.
