Leesburg officials are playing down The Villages’ impact on local roads even as Florida’s Friendliest Hometown dominates fast-paced growth in the Lakefront City.

Several residents spoke out about their concerns regarding the explosive growth of Leesburg during a four-hour meeting Monday night at City Hall. Residents were reacting to the major expansion of The Villages and other developments that were before the commission.

Commissioner Jay Connell raised his concerns about the impact of The Villages’ expansion on area roads.

Leesburg Planning and Zoning Director Dan Miller recommended that zoning of 4,192.5 acres be changed to City of Leesburg Age Restricted Development. This property is located east and west of the Florida Turnpike and north County Road 48. Miller responded to Commissioner Jay Connell’s question about density by explaining that 6,800 homes would be built on the property. Connell expressed concern regarding the impact that the additional residents in the development would have on the already crowded roads in the area. Miller said that the older 55-plus residents drive less than “younger folks” and that The Villages does a good job in providing what their residents need so most of their traffic is within The Villages. Connell then asked if the request was turned down would a developer be able to build under the older development order. Miller indicated that it would be subject to the old order which would mean more commercial space and younger residents which would result in more traffic.

Marty Dzuro, representing The Villages, told the commissioners that The Villages was not asking for more than the city has already approved. Dzuro went on to explain that The Villages has been working with Lake County to address the road issues including expanding County Road 470 to four lanes and intersection improvements.

City Manager Al Minner said that the city, Lake County and the state have been studying the road situation. He said that most of the 3,200 housing units that have been added to Leesburg in the last 24 months were mostly due to The Villages. He explained that the improvements to the roads will be made using impact fees which cannot be collected until the houses are built,

The Villages request was approved unanimously.