Leesburg officials have approved a zoning and plan change paving the way for a new townhome development despite one commissioner’s concerns about traffic.
Brightleaf Properties, LLC of Winter Park petitioned the city to modify a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to eliminate a previously approved commercial area and to expand the townhome development to 253 residential townhome units on a 37.7 acre parcel located north of County Road 48 and west of U.S. Hwy. 27.
Commissioner Jay Connell urged the reject of the modification of the project because of the impact the additional traffic would have on County Road 48.
“We should listen to the public which is tired of the congested roads,” Connell said.
He told the commissioners that the city should not approve additional development until infrastructure catches up. The city’s planning staff had recommended approval of the development as a traffic study showed the roads in the area could handle the increased traffic. The developer’s traffic study claimed that the number of vehicle trips in and out of the development with the additional residents would be close to the trips projected for previously approved commercial area. The vote to approve the modification was three in favor with Connell the lone opponent. Commissioner Mike Pederson was not in attendance at the Monday night meeting.
The townhomes will be individually platted even though the developer has indicated that they will be rental units.
The minimum living area will be 1,000 square feet, be no more than two stories and have at least two parking spaces for each unit. The developer will provide 50,600 square feet or 1.16 total acres whichever is greater for recreational space for the enjoyment of residents. The residential space will include a swimming pool and cabana with onsite parking and at least one fenced children’s playground.