Leesburg commissioners this week reviewed a controversial 208-acre subdivision and will take a final vote on the project in November.
The property is in two sections one of which is located east of County Road 33 and south of Lake Brite Street and the other section is located west of CR 33 and south of Desert Lane. The plan, which was presented for first reading before the commission, called for 518 single-family homes on 50-foot x 120-foot and 60-foot x 120-foot lots. The name of the sub-division is Lake Bright/Brigurst.
The property would have to be annexed into the Leesburg to obtain a Planned Unit Development zoning which would allow the planned 518 home density. The PUD would also be able to connect to city utilities.
The Planning Commission recommended a denial of the project in a 6-1 vote. Several neighboring property owners appeared at the Planning Commission meeting and objected to the development.
Many of the same neighboring property owners who spoke against the development before the Planning Commission addressed the city commissioners. William Robinson, a retired firefighter who has lived next to where the proposed development is located for over 30 years, expressed concern regarding the lot sizes which would place the houses 10 feet apart. He noted that these houses would be wood framed with vinyl siding. A fire in one home could devastate the development as the fire would easily spread to adjoining homes. Robinson also objected to the planned use of a rail fence as these would not block the view on to his property nor would it stop children from coming into contact with a electric fence used to confine his cattle. Other local residents told the commissioners that the development would harm the wildlife and that the developer would destroy the forest which covers the 208 acre parcel. All of the local residents were concerned about the impact that 518 homes would have on traffic using CR 33.
District 3 Commissioner Jay Connell noted that under the Lake County zoning presently covering that property, each house would have to have a five-acre lot which would mean that only 43 homes could be built on that track. Connell decried the impact that the development would have on the road system. He said the worst intersection in Leesburg is where CR 33 crosses County Road 470. When a motion was made to forward the proposal to the state for review Connell was the only commissioner to vote no.
A second reading of the ordinance and is set for the Nov. 12 commission meeting when the commission will consider approving the development.