Neighbors’ worries about hogs and traffic have pressured Leesburg officials to turn down a plan for a large controversial subdivision.
The proposed development is in two sections, one of which is located east of County Road 33 and south of Lake Brite Street. The other section is located west of CR 33 and south of Desert Lane.
The plan, which was presented for the second reading Tuesday night 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 proposed subdivision is Lake Bright/Brighurst. Before the subdivision could be approved, 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 previously 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. Even more neighbors appeared at the first reading of the proposed annexation of the 208 acre rural parcel and the proposed Planned Unit Development which would be necessary for the Lake Bright/Brighurst to go forward. All of the local residents were concerned about the impact that 518 homes would have on traffic using CR 33.
The city’s planning and zoning department staff recommended that the commissioners approve the annexation of the 208 acres at the first reading of the proposed ordinance.
During the first reading, 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.
During Tuesday’s commission meeting, the first resident to address the commissioners was James Rebels, who told the city officials that he raises hogs. He is concerned that the hogs would be too close to the new homes. He was concerns that the new residents would have difficulty adjusting to the odors from the livestock. Rebels was also concerned that children would be tempted to come onto his property and could be injured by the livestock. He worries that he could be sued if children are injured.
William B. Robertson who has resided next to the 208 acres since 1987 was the next speaker. He was concerned with the fact that he has 2,166 feet of his property which borders the development. He felt that there should be a 10-foot wall along the length of the property. He said that his attorney had obtained a copy of the Florida Department of Transportation review of the impact that the development and it was not favorable. He showed the commissioners a memorial for the three people who were killed on County Road 33 in December 2023 at one of the most dangerous intersections in Leesburg. Other residents spoke about the overcrowded roads and the dangerous intersections.
Commissioner Connell told his fellow commissioners at the conclusion of the public comments that “518 units will empty into a two lane highway backing up traffic” and that this would add to overcrowding in Leesburg schools. He urged the commission not to approve the annexation.
The commission voted 4-1 to deny the annexation with Alan Reisman casting the lone yes vote.