Leesburg commissioners voted on a rezoning request on a 31-acre parcel after a spirited debate during Monday’s commission meeting.
The 31-acre parcel is located south of County Road 48, west of U.S. Hwy. 27 and east of Haywood Worm Farm Road and is owned by Blount Birchmier, Leesburg LLC. The developer is seeking to have the zoning changed to City General Commercial and to establish a Planned Unit Development. The proposal will allow for a mixed-use development
consisting of 250 townhouses and other uses, such as restaurant, self-storage, flex space, day care, bar and lounge, veterinary offices, professional services, boat and RV storage, personal services, and assisted living.
The existing land uses surrounding the property are pasture, vacant residential, undeveloped, and a manufactured home.
The Planning Commission recommended that the rezoning and PUD request be approved during their October meeting and the city’s Planning Department recommended approval. District 3 Commissioner Jay Connell questioned the developer’s traffic expert, Charlotte Everson, who indicated in her testimony and report that the proposed development would have little impact on traffic on CR 48. The expert said that the development would have less impact on the road grid with 250 townhomes and commercial development than if an industrial concern was placed on the 31 acres. Connell noted that at least 500 cars could be expected in a 250 unit development. The expert admitted the report was based on the worst case scenario for the industrial assumptions. Connell urged the commission to not approve the development as the two lane road, CR 48 is already gridlocked. The proposed PUD will add to the problem, said Connell.
Mayor Jimmy Burry said that the owner “has a right to develop their property.” Connell countered the mayor by pointing out that they could use the property for industrial purposes without seeking a PUD. He further stated the intersection of CR 48 and County Road 33 is a problem
“It can take me 45 minutes to go from down there to 44 in Leesburg,” Connell said.
The commission voted 4-1 to approve the development with Connell voting no at the end of the discussion.