Mhm. >> evening. We will call this Monday, July 27th, 2026 commission meeting to order. Would you please stand for the invocation and the pledge. Heavenly Father, we come before you today representing Leesburg. Help us to
lead with kindness, to speak with respect, to listen with an open mind, and to stand together even when the world feels uncertain around us. Bless this commission, this community, and every resident we serve. Let our work this evening be rooted in purpose,
truth, and guided by integrity and a reflection of your grace. All this we ask in your precious name. Amen. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one
nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> We have no proclamations tonight, no presentations, and we'll move on to the public comments. At this time the public may bring matters to the city commission's
attention. We will not discuss discuss issues raised during this time. We will refer your comments to the appropriate staff or schedule them for consideration at a future city commission meeting. If you are speaking about an item that will be considered later in this meeting, your comments will be heard during
public limit to ensure equal opportunity for all participants. Thank you. Are there any public comments at this time? If so, please state your name and address. Go ahead, sir. >> Yes, Trygve Asplund. >> Go ahead to the mic, sir.
>> Oh. Excuse me. Uh Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the commission. My name is Trygve Asplund and I'm uh speaking today on behalf of the residents of the Plantation at Leesburg, which is a 55-plus
community, regarding case number RZ- 26-985. Our residents built or purchased their homes in this neighborhood specifically because of the unique tranquility, safety, and security offered by the deed-restricted Plantation at Leesburg.
>> Mr. Trygve, I believe this item is on the agenda. >> Yes, could you please wait until we get to that? >> Oh, I thought you wanted me to talk. No, sorry. >> No, that was that was fine. >> Well, >> there's a bonafide public hearing coming up for that. >> All right, good. >> So, this is comments that aren't for items that are on the agenda.
>> If there's no further comments at this time, Yes, I'm going to read the letter voice. Uh we just submitted his I have it. One second. >> Good Good commissioners. My name is John Labriola. I represent the Christian Family Coalition. Um we we represent the
uh the faith community throughout the state. We lobby in Tallahassee during the session, and the rest of the year we're lobbying local governments um to ask them to do things to advance religious liberties and uh protect family values. And uh I sent you all an
email a couple of weeks ago regarding the BookPage Magazine. That's a a a magazine that's national that's in a lot of the libra- libraries. And we already got um got the Citrus County Commission and the Hernando County Commission to uh end their subscriptions to it. What it
is, it's it's like a freebie. It's not a magazine that's up on the rack in the library. It's a it's in the lobby. There's a pile of them um like a stack of them in in the library. Leesburg has this magazine, and it uh the the reason that um we object to it
is because it's a very one-sided. Um it pushes left-wing themes. Um it insults parents who disagree with pornography being in the school libraries. And uh it just has a very uh very slanted editorial bent to it. And um the Citrus
County Commission decided to stop funding it because the uh less than 40% of the library systems in the country subscribe to it. It there's no need also to subscribe to it because it's available for free online. Anybody can go into the library and
check it out or like look at it online. Um there's no need to to spend money on it. Uh so I know that uh in the past and people have said that it's censorship to to cancel it, but it's we're talking not about a private citizen. We're talking about the
government spending tax dollars for this one-sided publication, and that is not censorship. Censorship is when the government uh attacks the free speech of an individual. So um and if it were censorship, then why is it all all one-sided and uh doesn't allow any uh
other side to to express itself. In addition to which, as you are looking to, you know, cut the budget as a result of not only the property tax cut, but um in anticipation of it and uh you know, the rollback rate being um something
that is being uh you know, required of a lot of count a lot of cities and and counties, uh we're just asking you to to remove this one line item from your budget. And um in addition to that, I just wanted to a- ask you really quickly if you could uh look at create uh do uh not creating,
but um declaring October 14th as the Charlie Cook Day of Remembrance as we come up on the 1-year anniversary of his death. Uh he was killed for his religious religious beliefs and we feel that it's important that we honor his memory, um not only with a day of remembrance, but also with a book dis-
week-long book display in the libraries. If you have any questions, just let me know. Um and you have my phone number, you have my email, and if I if if there's anything I can um answer, I would be happy to. Thank you, sir. >> sir. >> Hello, my name is Gail Carlins and first
of all, I would just like to tell each of you how much I appreciate what you do here for downtown Leesburg, all the different events that you sponsor and promote. And uh my husband and I we live in Fruitland Park, but we come down here all the time and just even enjoy walking down through Main
Street. So, appreciate that. And also um appreciate the invocation, the lovely invocation at the beginning. And I'll Yeah, I wanted to mention too about the lights on the trees down Main Street, how pretty they are and and you know, the red, white, and blue for 4th of July and then the purple for the previous
month and all that. So, I appreciate your efforts. Uh I'm here though to briefly say the same thing that the previous gentleman did about uh book pages, what it's called, that monthly publication. And I am a member of the Lake County Library System and we usually come here to Leesburg Library
and I've seen up that publication and as he said it is just kind of out in the open and some of the titles of the books I would be embarrassed to even read some of the titles to you. Uh so I think it it's right there available for kids or
anyone to to take a look at at any time and so I'm in agreement with what the Mr. Labriola just said that you know, let's save a little bit of money and uh not not spend it on that publication because it is available online and it's just
something that I don't think is appropriate for children to to take a look at. Thank you. >> Thank you, Ms. Collins. >> Good afternoon. My name is Laura Conyers and I'm here to support John because the Family
Coalition and he um has been wonderful trying to do this because the subscription we I think we are concentrating on doing that and doing to
be able to um reject all these things that are um for the subscription. I wrote some things about um um this. It's true that it never promote
conservative authors and to me is uh and the library is really important that we will be able to see um promote conservative authors. It's a waste of misuse of taxpayer dollars and you're if you're looking to
reduce [sighs] the weight uh the budget, this is a good way to start. I'm also um very very much with him about asking to declare October 14th a Charlie Kirk day of remembrance in honor of his um
as his birthday. As other counties have done as some term Marion county. And um to me it's very important because I um Charlie Kirk was very inspirational to many young people, adults, and also
grandmas grandmothers like me. And um it would be a good idea to do that. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Ms. Conyers. >> Well, hello. My name is Rick Carlins and I just I'm going to agree with everything that my wife said about the
lights, what you do in downtown Leesburg. We come down here quite often and do enjoy it and try to promote what you put together. And we appreciate that. And um I'm just in agreement also with that book page, that magazine that's out. Uh it would be wonderful if we could find something
that promotes traditional family values uh and just to get back of that sense of morality that it is that we've had so for so long enjoyed in this in this country and in in in in Florida at Leesburg, I'm sure. But another issue
that I do want to address is I'm very concerned as so many people are with what's going on with the uh the AI and the data centers and so forth. Now I'm tying into this the Flock cameras. Uh there are 10 that I was counted in uh in
Leesburg alone, 10 Flock cameras. They're surveillance cameras. They monitor everybody as they drive by. It's a part of what law enforcement agencies are calling real-time crime um a tool. But the thing is these this this
information is all stored. These Flock cameras are very sophisticated. They not only do your license plates, they identify your car, dents in your cars, color, facial recognition, ping your cell phones. Um and this is all, you know, would be necessary if you if if it
was a criminal that you were pursuing, but everyday people that are just living their lives, uh they don't want to we don't want to be monitored like this. I don't want to be monitored like this. And I'm paying for the surveillance. Uh and you know, you could you could keep in mind how something
like this could be used if they go to lock down the country again. To keep you out even if you were just trying to get to see your your your elderly parent or you know, or something somebody who's closed in to help them and then you'd be
committing a crime. Uh so it this surveillance is just it's uncalled for. It's all going to the data centers uh and it's something that I'm going to be addressing Lake County people as well. Uh but it's just something that the public is growing more aware of and it would be to
everybody's advantage if you stop we stop funding this. Flock cameras. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> Good afternoon. My name is Frank Palumbo. I live over in Palomar. And I'm here for two reasons. One is to
thank and compliment the people who work at the marina. These people are fantastic, very professional, very polite. You know, their personalities are wonderful. They just they want to help. And so I really enjoy them and I enjoy, you know, working, you know, with them
at the marina and it's it's a it's a joy to be there. The other thing is um I understand AT&T is bringing some new internet service into Palomar Park. And the question is whether there's going to be raised uh
joints or J boxes or whatever they call them these days. Or they're going to be ground level. And if you take a ride around Palmore and pretty much any place else, you'll see all of the other raised boxes, the cable boxes. I would say 70, 80% of them
are leaning over, knocked over, no tops on them. So, it seems to me if there's an option, a good option would be putting them at ground level so that this kind of stuff doesn't continue to happen. And if we're going to have a bunch more boxes, I think it's a great idea. But if we're going to have a bunch more boxes, I'd
rather see them, and I think a lot of other people would rather see them at ground level. So, if you have a input into that, I'd appreciate you taking that into consideration, and thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Members of the commission, let me let me tackle that last comment about the the
fiber work in Palmore Park. It's also throughout the community. And just so everybody knows, my office, and I I and you guys, I think individually or jointly through emails, have received a lot of complaints about {quote} {unquote} AT&T in Palmore Park
putting in fiber. So, let me back up on this just a little bit. Th- This is not a city project. So, the city is not putting in fiber in Palmore Park or anywhere throughout the city. As you guys know, we've sold our fiber system. It was taken over by Lumen, and
then it's been repurchased by AT&T. But in any case, where we are involved is our gas department has been and always or our gas has been and continues to be kind of the surveyor of ensuring that
infrastructure is put in correct. So, when you do dial Dig Right, I think it's 411 underground stuff. We We're We're the trackers of that. So, we ensure that companies are calling in the proper locates, and we
monitor how those utilities go in, ensuring that stuff is getting marked and located. And if there's a problem, then the gas department's kind of the head of who contacts that company and and gets the correction fixed. We that's kind of also the source of when people
complain about stuff not getting uh dug correctly or irritants or these type of things. But kind of so that's how we're involved is just through the maintenance and monitoring of folks who are in our right-of-way through utility locates.
In this particular case, now I'm I'm not I'm going to pontificate here a little bit, so perhaps what I'm saying is not factual. Um but it's to my understanding. The past several years we've seen a number of fiber companies come into Leesburg or
Fruitland Park um trying to attach to if it's overhead, you'll typically see fiber attached to our electric utility poles. Um if it's underground, they'll seek right-of-way permits from us. Um and so part of the American Recovery
Act, there was a I know that was like $6 trillion, right? Or $4 trillion. There was like $100 billion of fixing America's infrastructure as part of that omnibus bill. And part of that was to
um companies could could seek grants to put in infrastructure to defined rural communities. So fiber is part of that. Fruitland Park and and Leesburg would be defined as rural communities who need fiber.
I mean that's not always the case. And so what we have seen is I think we're probably on company number three now trying to use Is it four, Corey? We we think I can't name them all for you, but I know it it's This isn't our first rodeo with this situation. This is
probably now our largest complaints that we've received. But what we're seeing in short is we're seeing these companies trying to tap into these federal monies, we see duplication of utility systems now, and in certain spots, like in Palmora Park, where our right-of-ways
are are relatively narrow, we see more conflicts occurring, we see more complaints occurring. So, we see some of these things starting to come to the surface um to where they have tie-ins and they can't do flush mount uh and there there's various reasons for it. Um
earlier today, I also sent out an email to the commission. I haven't talked to Grant about this, so we will be looking into it, but we also may be limited on our ability to force telecommunication companies into building to our standard.
Um there's ways that maybe we can ask for different approaches, but I I think what we're going to and and this isn't a fact, we'll talk with Grant about this, but typically because we do receive uh state monies through fiber, through
the telecommunications taxes, there are kind of some quid pro quos in there about how we can regulate telecommunication companies, and there is some question whether we can a keep them out of our right-of-ways, and b dictate their means and methods.
And there is kind of clear language that we couldn't dictate uh for example, a flat mount pedestal if there isn't that room in the right-of-way. So, when you're when you're in a narrow right-of-way and you're competing with water, sewer,
electric, other fiber companies, those windows get small. So, when you're looking for a a box to stick in the ground to tie your wires to, that doesn't exist, so a lot of times those come out. So, long story short, we're aware of this. Um
Our our gas director, Corey Goeffert, has been working with the AT&T reps trying to get them to voluntarily put in different mounts, the pad pedestal mounts that aren't so obnoxious. Um and we will report back to you on
this. So, we're well aware of the situation. We're doing our best to get it under control. If you have those issues, please contact my office um because [clears throat] it will also go back to make sure that, you know, if we got wires sticking out of the ground and
it's in your front yard, that company's going to need to come back, put your yard back the way it was should it was before it was disturbed by replacing like sod and those type of things. So, all that will get ultimately pushed to the gas department to ensure, but we're
on top of this. We know what's going on. We're doing our best uh to try to keep it peaceful and amicable um and we'll more more to follow, especially because I think where we'll probably ultimately need to go is potentially a
rewrite of our code to try to get the most out of our ability to enforce means and methods, but don't hold your breath on that yet. More to follow. So, with that >> Okay. All right. You have to come up to the front,
please. State your name and your address. >> I'm Elizabeth Winchester and I'm at 1206 9th Street. So, as you come into Palmyra Park, aesthetically it looks atrocious. For an area that does all the business
and it's part of Ski Beach and you have Venetian Garden, you should really look at it because it looks better going into uh like a trailer place than it does to come into Palmyra Park now. So, aesthetically
having cylinders that are this high is ridiculous by this big. They do have some smaller ones that are in there, but they should all be the same. And it's just something as a town or city that you should be looking at since
that's where you have a lot of your programs. And that's really all I needed to say. >> Thank you. I have a letter here that I'd like to read for um Oh, here he is. Hi, Wild Hemphill.
>> There you go, buddy. >> Uh >> Hello. My name is Wild Hemphill. Um I submitted a a letter um less screen time, more green time. >> Um >> [applause]
>> I will I will continue Wild's letter. Um he's writing to formally request the following citizen proposal be placed on an upcoming City Commission meeting agenda as a written agenda item for review. Less screen time, more green
time. And he on June 8th, he was kicked cut his knee at the Leesburg splash pad and had to go to the hospital to get stitches. Today, I want to share my plan to make Leesburg a safer and more affordable place for the community.
After my meeting with Mr. Brian Andruchuk and Travis Rima on Friday, July 24th, 2026, the splash pad is now going to have enforced rules and new signs about running, slipping, sliding, and jumping.
And Mr. Andruchuk agreed to a designated toddler time for children 0 to 5. However, I would still like to request these changes. A separate area small kids can have fun and don't get hurt by bigger kids. The second one, pads on the metal poles
which are very dangerous if children run or slide into them. What if the splash pad isn't an option, you ask? I have a solution for that for that. I would like to request funds to go to large umbrellas, also known as
shade sails, to shade our existing fields, playgrounds, and parks. Not just the area where parents sit, but also over the playground or parts of the fields to protect the children who are playing. This will keep parents and children cool during the summer heat. At
the new complex or existing ones, playgrounds and area with a fence for small children. Misting or cooling stations. Clean and more modern water fountains or water bottle fill-up stations. This water is burning hot when first dispensed and some of the water
fountains are dirty and rusty. At the Leesburg Sports and Recreation Center. At a time of space during open gym hours for younger children at the Leesburg Sports and Recreation Center on Griffin Road. When my mom called and asked about lowering the hoops for me, they said
they were unable to do that because the teenagers would not follow the rules. That no one that no one is there to enforce the rules if they did lower the hoops. This is upsetting because at 5 years old, I am taught to follow rules made by adults.
Or a completely separate field, park, or recreation center for children 0 to 10 and those with sensory or a neurodivergent differences. Funds go to better marketing campaigns so parents are aware of these wonderful places and activities Leesburg has to
offer and encourage less screen time, more green time. Also recommended by my pediatrician. Children around the same age group should not be limited to being inside in the extreme summer heat and the kids like myself love being outdoors. Right
now, we are limited, but I believe these are reasonable changes that can make Leesburg a more inclusive It not only allows children to play safely, but takes financial and emotional stress off the parents who want us to have fun off of the scre- off
of the screens. Together, I know we can make Leesburg a safer place for kids that will be fun and affordable. Thank you so much, well. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Moving on to our consent agenda.
Routine items are placed on the consent agenda to expedite the meeting. If the commission staff wish to discuss any item, the procedure is as follows: one, pull the items from the consent agenda, two, vote on the remaining items with one roll call vote, and three, discuss
each pulled item and vote by roll call. Are there any items the commission would like to pull this evening? >> I'll pull 5C1. >> And this >> [snorts] >> I have that item pulled as well, okay. Is there no other items? Can we entertain a motion to approve the
remaining? >> I'll make a motion to approve the remaining consent agenda. >> Second. >> Roll call. Commissioner Carnahan. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Berry. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Esmond. >> Yes. >> Mayor Berry. >> Yes. >> [clears throat] >> I'll make a motion to introduce 5C1 to
be read by title only. >> Yes. Yes, please, sir. >> Resolution of the City Commission of the City of Leesburg, Florida, authorizing the advertisement for disposition of surplus city-owned lots in accordance with the surplus lot donation policy and providing an effective date.
>> Move for approval. >> Second. >> So, I pulled this just because um not yet cleared by attorney, but I agree we should get we should dispose of it is the 2103 Hollywood Drive property. We have a storm water project coming up for Lake
Hollywood, so I think that'd be a good staging area for us to use for that project. So, if we can hold off on disposing of that until that project's clear, but after that, then I'd be fine with it. >> Okay, that sounds good. Um I'd like to add some comments to this as
well for that's one that I have pulled, and I would like to make note that um I pulled this one because of the discussion we've had over the time over the years well, yeah, years the city lots of the city and CRA lot inventory.
As you may recall, um the lot donation and disposition process was first presented to the commission on August 28th, 2023. Since then, we've had several discussions, worked through the details together, and ultimately agreed on a process. That process was formalized
with resolution number 12144, which was passed and adopted by the city city commission on October 13th, 2025. As you'll see in your packet exhibit exhibit A, we have several lots with clear titles that are ready to move forward. And exhibit B contains lots
that still require work, and I would recommend that we direct Attorney Grant to continue the process of clearing these titles. Finally, exhibit C identifies lots that the commission previously agreed to retain. Um to my knowledge, we have not had anyone to inquire about any of the lots, and I
believe that's because we haven't yet begun advertising for their availability. If we want to put these properties back into productive use and create opportunities for nonprofits, put these in development, the next step is to let the public know they're available. And I
would recommend that we entertain a motion to authorize the um housing department to advertise the lots identified in exhibit A while Attorney Grant continues working to clear titles and properties listed on exhibit B. Your thoughts?
>> So, I think that's what the agenda item states is we we we move forward with what you just said. >> Mhm. Can we >> Dispose of A, have the city attorney working on B, and then keep C. So, I'm fine with that. I just don't want us to dispose of Hollywood until after that project's complete.
>> So, yeah. So, can I make a motion? >> It's already on the agenda. >> Okay. All right. >> Right? >> Yes. >> Yes. Okay. Yes. Roll call. Commissioner Berry. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Eastman.
>> Yes. >> Commissioner Cannady. >> Yes. >> Mayor Berry. Yes. Just one quick question, excuse me, if you will. The Dr. Jasper, quick question about the lot donation. Now, are these going to non-profit organizations or I just want to get clarity on that cuz I know we've been going back and forth for
a couple years regarding these lots. Um I know with the moratorium that was um that started in March 2023, but now I just want to get clarity. Is that what we just voted on? It was non-profit. >> Non-profit. >> Yes. >> Okay. That's what I Thank you. Moving on to
>> 06 >> to our >> public hearing >> public hearing um non-routine items. Excuse me. During public hearings and non-routine routine items and commission request those in attendance respect the process
and maintain order. As such, in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, please refrain from speaking out, cheering, or applauding during these proceedings. Your cooperation helps ensure a fair and respectful hearing. I will ask the city attorney if he would
swear in all participants who will be speaking this evening. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Are there any um changes on Are we going to shuffle the >> We're going to We're going to do that as soon as you swear everybody in. >> Okay. Okay, well, anybody in attendance this
evening who wants to speak on item 6A3, Reserve at 44 PUD rezoning, 6A6, and these are second reading. 6A6, Perry Smith SPUD rezoning, 6A7, Goodman rezoning,
or first reading item 6B3, J C Q Leesburg Palmetto Drive rezoning, and 6B6, Merit Ranch PUD rezoning. If you would, please stand and raise your right hand so we can swear you all in. Do you swear or affirm that all
testimony you'll give tonight will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? All right, thank you all. All set. >> Will someone please introduce 6A1, two, and three? >> I'll introduce 6A1, two, and three to be read by title only.
>> 6A1, an ordinance of the City of Leesburg, Florida, annexing certain real property consisting of approximately 10.24 plus minus acres, being generally located east of County Road 44 and north of Spring Court, lying
Section 1, Township 19 South, Range 25 East, Lake County, Florida. Provided that said property, upon annexation, shall be liable for its proportionate share of the existing and future indebtedness of said city. Provided that such annexed property shall be subject to all laws and
ordinances of said city as if such territory had been a part of the City of Leesburg at the time of passage and approval of said laws and ordinances. Provided that such annexed territory shall be placed in City Commission District 5, and providing an effective date. 6A2,
an ordinance amending the future land use map of the comprehensive plan of the City of Leesburg by We're the future land use map designation of certain property containing 10.24 plus minus acres from Lake County urban low to city
Leesburg estate residential for property generally located east of County Road 44 and north of Spring Court lying in section 1 Township 19 South Range 25 East Lake County, Florida and providing an effective date. 683
an ordinance of the city of Leesburg, Florida changing the zoning of approximately 10.24 plus minus acres from Lake County R1 rural residential and R3 medium residential to city Leesburg PUD planned unit development to
allow for single family residential uses for property generally located east of County Road 44 and north of Spring Court lying in section 1 Township 19 South Range 25 East Lake County, Florida and providing an effective date.
>> So, I'd like to make a motion to continue this till the August 10th at 5:30 in the Fred Maurice Chambers. >> Um >> And just to clarify, that would be for all three of those items to continue. >> Do you need Do you need a vote or does that supersede the motion? >> Uh yeah, I think we need a vote on the
motion. >> Where's the second? >> Where's the second? >> I'll second his motion and we can discuss why we're doing it. >> Yeah, so we received We received a request from the petitioner to table so we can >> Scheduling conflict. >> Because we've already done the
advertisements and the notices were sent out, we have to we had to read by title to reserve the proper notification. So, instead of holding the hearing tonight, the motion was made to have the hearing on August 10th. So, that's legally logistical properly
proper. The petitioners requested this. So, the motion on the floor is to table this and hear it again on August 10th. So, if you all vote in the affirmative on this, everybody here in the audience to participate in the public hearing
portion of this, it will be conducted on August 10th instead of this evening. >> May we have a roll call, please? >> Commissioner Eastman. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Cornell. [clears throat] >> Yes. >> Commissioner Berry. >> Yes. >> Mayor Berry. >> Yes. >> Will someone please introduce
>> So, So, just so everybody in the audience who was here to participate in in that public hearing, that you voted in the affirmative to hold the hearing on Monday, August 10th. So, come back unfortunately, Monday,
August 10th, this council chamber, this location, and the hearing on this annexation, land use, and zoning will be heard at that time, and at that time we will conduct another public hearing, and your comments will be heard then.
So, you you're ready, Mayor, to move to the next item. Unless if you guys want to Okay, that We the city is operating in an appropriate manner. The next hearing on this will be August 10th. Mayor, you can move to item six.
>> Will someone please introduce 6A4, 5, and 6? >> I'll introduce 6A4, 5, and 6 to be read by title only. >> Um you want to wait until they leave? >> So, just I I I didn't hear the question. >> She asked for a neighborhood meeting. I did ask our planning and zoning director to get with the developer to ask for a
community meeting. >> Yes. >> So, yes. We're going to get with them and ask for that prior to the >> Yes. That that issue's going to be between you and and the and the petitioner, not the city. >> I'm contacting them. >> The city did not cancel this hearing. The petitioner did. If you have
complaints about that, you take it to the petitioner, not the city. We're processing this correctly and all due and all due legal process. The petitioner requested this. Period.
>> Can I ask one question about uh of the notification to the property owners, the existing property owners in the area? Um I know that uh we recently we've got a 250 houses now across uh
from our property that was approved by the guys. We were never notified and we have 16 acres. Now, I contacted your department and they told us that, "Oh, yes, you were mailed out a letter and you were also and it was in the
Daily Commercial. I don't read the Daily Commercial. I did not receive one. My husband didn't receive one on our other piece of property, which was adjacent. >> Okay, I'm going to stop >> to know if these people that are that this this is affecting right now, how
does every land owner how can they feel confident that they're being notified by the proper authorities so that we know what's going [clears throat] on? >> Let me repeat the question and then I think I'm going to advise the
mayor to move on after this. But, you've asked the question. The question from the audience that probably was inaudible to the the video was, is the city properly notifying residents? The policy of state statutes is that we
provide public notice in a newspaper of general circulation and that we send letters to those property owners within 200 ft of the location of the petition. If you have further questions on that,
contact the Planning and Zoning Department. I don't know where you live. I don't know your address. I don't know what's proximity. If you have concerns that the city is not sending out letters correctly, we have affidavits of publication and we
have copies of letters that we submitted to people who live within 200 ft. But, you need to see the Planning and Zoning Department to get the list of letters. Right now, I am under the impression from our Planning and Zoning Director
that we did duly notify correctly in the general circulation newspaper. It's not our fault whether you read it or not. And we sent letters. I don't know where you live, so again, you got to get with the Planning Director and he can confirm
in our records if you're within the 200 ft. >> So, three letters would not We've missed three letters and to three different owners. >> Okay. I answered your question. >> Okay. >> You need to see Mr. Miller. >> That's who I spoke with.
>> He's standing right here. Okay. I I think at this time it's probably appropriate to move forward with the next item. >> Yes, will someone please introduce >> I'll introduce 6A4, 5, and 6 to be read by title only. >> 6A4, an ordinance of the City of Leesburg, Florida, annexing certain real
property consisting of approximately 7.53 plus minus acres being generally located west of US Highway 27 and south of the Florida Turnpike lying in Section 7, Township 21 South, Range 25 East, Lake County, Florida.
Providing that said property so annexed shall be liable for its proportionate share of the the and future indebtedness of said city, provided that such annexed property shall be subject to all laws and ordinances of said city as if all such territory had been part of the city of Leesburg at the time of passage and
approval of said laws and ordinances, provided that such annexed territory shall be placed in City Commission District 4 and providing an effective date. 6A5, an ordinance of the City of Leesburg, Florida, changing the future land use designation of approximately
7.53 plus minus acres from Lake County urban low density to City of Leesburg general commercial for a property generally located west of high US Highway 27 and south of the Florida Turnpike as legally described in Section 7, Township 21 South, Range 25
East, Lake County, Florida and providing an effective date. 6A6, an ordinance of the City of Leesburg, Florida, rezoning approximately 7.53 plus minus acres from Lake County A agriculture to City SPUD, small planned
unit development, to allow commercial and office development on property generally located west of US Highway 27 and south of the Florida Turnpike as legally described in Section 7, Township 21 South, Range 25 East, Lake County, Florida and providing an effective date.
>> Move for approval. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Mr. Miller, please. >> Thank you, Mayor. Dan Miller, Planning and Zoning. This is the Perry Smith annexation small scale comp plan and PUD case. Project consists of this request
on a site consisting of 7.53 plus or minus acres, generally located on the west side of US 27 and south of the Florida Turnpike. The request is for approval of future development of retail, restaurant, medical and other uses. So, it's a small mixed use
project. Future land use application request is going from Lake County urban low density to city general commercial and the zoning application is going from Lake County agriculture to plan small plan unit development. Staff did receive no comments from the
city departments, school board, Lake County public works, and no written public responses on this one. Under the terms of the SPUD agreement, the proposal consists of a total of 20,000 square feet of commercial medical office
type uses. Project does proposal does include design and zoning standards including architectural requirements, maximum building height of two floors, the dark sky lighting, 35% open space,
25-ft wide buffer tract with plantings all along the area that is not adjacent to an existing wetland. It would not be required if it's adjacent to that wetland. Code compliant landscaping, and of course the usual Bahia or Bermuda grass instead of St. Augustine.
There is site access shown on the site plan. There's only one site access will be required. Um, it would be a boulevard style meaning that there's extra width on the lanes coming in and out and some landscape area between the two lanes. The PUD also requires the developer to
provide any and all expansions and or upgrades as required by Lake County on Highway 27 and to the access points. Planning Commission and staff are both recommending approval. The applicant is Mr. Mike Rankin of Land Planning Group
of Tavares and he is here to answer any questions you may have. This is a second reading. >> All right. Any comments from the commission before going to the >> Yeah, Dan, the property adjacent to it to the north, didn't we take that in as commercial? >> I believe we took that one in. We may
have to go to a a different aerial. We have taken a different map. I'm sorry. Um, >> [clears throat] >> we have taken property in that area. I do not I don't if it's to the north or to the south. Where it is immediately, it's immediately across the Yes.
Yes sir, and it's commercial to the north. And they just they just installed a light there at that intersection, correct? >> They did. >> That's correct. >> Mr. Rankin. >> Good afternoon, your honor and members of the commission, staff and guests. For the record, Mike Rankin and Land Planning Group, 2050
Classic Lane in Tavares. Uh tonight I have the Barry Smiths uh back in the back row. Wave if you would. These are the folks that own the property. We were retained to entitle the
property. As Mr. Miller mentioned, 7.53 acres. Uh we see this as a highway commercial C3, about 200,000 square feet. Mr. Miller mentioned the permitted uses. I want to make sure you know we understand the prohibited uses
as to industrial, auto sales, dealership, tattoo, check cashing, adult uses, thrift consignment, pawn, smoke shops, junk, scrap, and recycling. We know that will not be part of this development. So, our focus is retail.
And I know you all pay attention when you run from Leesburg down to the city to the south. It's kind of a lean run for food in that area. And we think this will be a great location for an eatery or two near the turnpike and the medical venue.
We ask that you would consider approving this project. Thank you. >> Are there any public comments? Moving on. Roll call. Commissioner Canio. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Berry. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Eastman? >> Yes. >> Mayor Berry?
>> Yes. >> Will someone please >> need to do 68 >> Will someone please >> We need to vote on each one. >> Yeah, we need to vote on each one separately. >> Yeah. >> So, you're on 5 now? >> Yes. Um Can we get We did 684, 685
now, so >> I make a motion to approve 685. >> Five, yes. >> Second. >> Second. >> Sorry, I'm >> Commissioner Berry? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Eastman? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Connell Connell? >> Yes.
>> Mayor Berry? Yes. >> I make a motion to approve 686. >> Second. >> Second. >> Roll call. Commissioner Eastman? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Connell? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Berry? >> Yes. >> Mayor Berry?
>> Yes. >> Will someone please introduce 687 by title only? >> I'll introduce 687 by title only. >> An ordinance of the City of Leesburg, Florida, changing the zoning on approximately 0.30 plus minus acres from
City R3 high density residential to C3 highway commercial for property generally located south of East North Boulevard, east of East Dixie Avenue, and north of East Main Street, lying in section 25, Township 19 South, Range 24
East, Lake County, Florida, and providing an effective date. >> Approval? >> Second. >> Hearing the motion, Mr. Miller? >> Thank you, Mayor. This case consists of a rezoning only. It's the Goodman property. It's 3/10 of an acre,
generally located on the west side of Nichols Drive and just south there of what you see as East North Boulevard. Uh it's currently developed as an office and warehouse and his historically been used for that. The application is requesting a change from R3, which is
high-density residential, to C3, which is highway commercial. The request is for approval of a rezoning only. The owner is um actually refinancing, and the R3 zoning is not consistent with the established development patterns of the
area. We did receive no public responses from the mail-outs, advertisings, or signs. There were no substantive comments from the city departments, Lake County School Board, or Lake County Public Works. The rezoning will allow retail, office, and light warehouse
uses, so there's no change of use. The site exists The site access exists off the existing property on Nichols Drive, so there's no changes. The property is on city utilities. Staff and Planning Commission both recommended approval of the request to rezone to C3.
And this, again, second reading. Thank you. >> Any comments from the commission? Public comments from anyone? Roll call, please. Commissioner Carnell? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Berry? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Reisman? >> Yes. >> Mayor Berry?
>> Yes. >> Will someone please introduce 6B1 by title only? And two and three, please. >> I'd like to do 6B1, two, and three to be read by title only. >> Excuse me. 6B1. An ordinance of the City of Leesburg,
Florida, annexing certain real property consisting of approximately 65 Excuse me. Plus minus acres. Being generally located north of Plantation View Drive, south of Palmetto Drive, and west of US Highway 27, lying
in Section 36, Township 20 South, Range 24 East, Lake County, Florida. Provided that said property so annexed shall be liable for its proportionate share of the existing and future indebtedness of said city provided that such annexed property shall be subject to all laws and ordinances of said city
as if all such territory had been a part of the city of Leesburg at the time of passage and approval of said laws and ordinances providing that such annexed territory shall be placed in city commission district four and providing an effective date. 6B2 An ordinance of the city of Leesburg,
Florida changing the future land use designation of approximately 65 plus or minus acres from Lake County urban low density to city of Leesburg estate residential for property generally located north of Plantation View, south of Palmetto
Drive and west [clears throat] of US Highway 27 as legally described in section 36, Township 20 South and Range 24 East, Lake County, Florida and providing an effective date. 6B3 An ordinance of the city of Leesburg, Florida changing the
zoning of approximately 65 plus or minus acres from Lake County A agriculture to city of Leesburg PUD planned unit development for property generally located north of Plantation View Drive, south of Palmetto Drive and west of US Highway 27
as legally described in section 36, Township 20 South, Range 24 East, Lake County, Florida and providing an effective date. We need the full public hearing. >> Because it's a large scale >> Because it's a large scale and
annexation. So then I would you please do the full public >> Thank you, Mayor. This is the JCQ Leesburg project consisting of an annexation large scale comp plan and rezoning on approximately 65 plus or minus undeveloped acres generally located as
you can see on the map on the west side of US 27 and south of Palmetto Drive. Future land use application for the project is requesting a change from Lake County urban and to city estate which is a four unit to acre to four-unit acre exchange. The zoning application for the
project is requesting a change from Lake County agriculture to city of Leesburg planned unit development PUD. The request is for approval of zoning for a future development which which would consist of detached single-family residential lots, townhouses,
and some commercial along with upstairs apartments in the commercial section along 27. Under the city department response, there were no substantive comments from the city departments. And what we mean by that is when you get a no comment from the city departments, what they're saying is
there are sufficient capacity to serve the development in the form of the water, wastewater, gas, or whichever department was was included on that, which all of them are. The school board said their residential proportion of the proposed PUD would be subject to school
concurrency review. So, a proportionate share mitigation may be required. Uh that comes later in the process if it's approved. Uh Lake County public works um requires
but not limited to additional drainage right-of-way for roads, trails, turn lanes, acceleration, deceleration lanes, the standard Lake County comments that they have. Under public responses, we did receive significant public response for disapproval of the project. I wanted to
summarize those for you as many as I could. The objections were in regard to concerns about loss of wildlife and wetland habitat, increased traffic, noise, dust, requests for walls and fencing, lot size concerns along the plantation boundary, requests for only
one-floor buildings along the plantation boundary, and we did receive a petition that was signed by 87 residents of 78 homes in Plantation, and several form letters um with quotes including severe
incompatibility with the existing neighborhood. In reading through those comments, staff did take into account all of them and did write the PUD in regard to we increased the buffer size to 25 ft.
We increased lot sizes for properties adjacent to Plantation from the requested 50 to 70 ft wide to match the ones along the Plantation boundary. We required only single family residential to be adjacent to Plantation, which will reduce the number
of lots originally proposed. We required all townhome lots to be adjacent to US 27, all commercial uses to be adjacent to US 27. We required an opaque fence between Plantation and the subject property plus a split rail fence along US 27. The
Planning Commission added a 2-ft berm under the 6-ft fence to give an 8-ft height. So, those conditions, which are in the proposed PUD, were based on comments from the neighbors.
Under the terms of the PUD agreement, again, the proposal is 65 plus or minus acres, 56 detached single family residential homes on the west side of the development, 40 townhomes and condominium units on the east side of
the development near the roadway, and allowance for 38,000 sq ft of commercial uses along US 27. And I believe Mr. Rankin mentioned a number of uses that are prohibited in his comments a moment
ago. Same prohibitions go on this one. The project proposal does include conditions and development standards. And again, all commercial development townhouse condo uses must be adjacent Highway 27. That would create a buffer of something like 1,200 ft from the adjoining
residential development to any commercial development. The single-family lots are divided into 50-ft and 70-ft lots. Again, the 70-ft have to be against Plantation. Two two-car garages, gutter requirements,
maximum building height of 2 ft except for the lots that are adjacent on the street to Plantation, which would have to be one floor. That's written into the new PUD per the request of the Planning Commission. And then the standard 35% open space, uh dark sky lighting,
landscaping plan. And we've got the 6-ft fence with the 2-ft berm along Plantation and the split rail uh along 27. And then the standard Bahia Bermuda grass and a requirement for
26,200 sq ft of recreation space, which is a little bit over half an acre, to include a playground, dog park, and design and architectural standards that require the builder to apply at least five design features for each single-family unit. Um site access on the site plans coming
off of US Highway 27, there'll be one access point plus a stabilized emergency access, boulevard style construction again as I talked about in the previous case. Developer's required to provide any and all expansions and upgrades that Lake County Public Works and DOT may require
along US 27. All development has to be on city water and wastewater, so there's no well or septics on the property. Our utility services have indicated there is sufficient capacity in all services to serve the development at this time. And then of course we have the phasing
clause or expiration clause, which requires that the development move forward with substantial commencement within 4 years or the property automatically reverts to the RE-1 zoning. So, staff worked with the Planning Commission and with the public to
recognize the concerns of the neighbors and to recognize the rights of the property owners. And um we do feel that we have respectfully accounted for both sides as best we can. And planning commission did end up recommending approval on this 5-0. And
again, Mr. Michael Rankin, president of LPG into various is here to represent the case and answer any questions you may have. The planned second reading is showing for September 14. Thank you.
>> Hey Dan, just a quick question. Um under the PUD under townhomes, there's no height restrictions, but on the image it shows four floors with a potential roof on the one >> We wanted a two-floor. If it did not have a that, it should have a two-floor in there.
But >> I don't see it, but um >> We will add that in if that's our intention. >> is just deceiving cuz it's like five floors. >> Are there any further comments before Mr. Rankin comes up from the commission? Questions?
Okay, Mr. Rankin. >> Not right now. Again, good evening. Uh for the record, Mike Rankin. Also a resident of the plantation, 4928 Heron Run Circle. So, this is near and dear to my heart as well as I live there.
Uh and this being first read, I'll yield uh most of my comments for second and final reading, but I want to make some assurances that this project will not encroach the wetlands. Uh in fact, we've got uh 31 acres of
uplands and 34 wetlands with a yield open space of 67% uh compared to the minimum of 30. Uh we agreed to all the standards that uh Mr. Miller and the planning commission
asked Uh have no issues whatsoever and I really drilled down on the list of comments and concerns on the project and I think we've got them all covered. Happy to meet with any of my neighbors
to talk about this project at any given time. I work 7 days a week so if they want to talk I'll certainly uh be all ears. Uh we're excited about this project. We think it brings a level of commercial
again in in that area needed. And I participated in a Zoom call this morning with the owner uh at 9:00 of a potential uh reduction of rooftops on this property
based on the elimination of a couple of the products and adding uh more single family. And the lots are and I believe this is my error uh on our comp plan it shows 80s and 50s and and in the notes it's 70s and 50s so I
probably gave you the wrong number Dan but it's >> 50s and 70s in here. >> Yeah and on the comp plan it shows 50s and 80s that we submitted. Uh so I'll I'll yield additional comments. I know my neighbors uh
are anxious to speak and I'll respect that and uh be ready for second and final reading. Thank you. >> Are there any public comments at this time? Go ahead sir. Please state your name [clears throat] and address. >> My name is Trygve Asplan. I live at 24203 Bell Mead Drive in The Plantation.
And thank you [clears throat] very much sir. Um I'll try this again. Once again uh Good evening. Uh Mr. Chairman and members of the commission um and I do live in in The plantation.
It's a great place to live. Uh we certainly appreciate uh the work that's been done um by all the members of the plantation and uh the commission members.
The concern that we have is about the berm that's being uh added uh and the water runoff. We're we're nervous that that it will uh create some disturbance to the
surrounding areas. Uh Let me see if I can get this right here. Um Well, it's it's the storm water runoff that we're that we're worried about. Uh we don't
we want to make sure that that's fully looked at and directed properly to uh the drainage environments. Um I'm almost at a loss for words here. We We're We're happy things are going that
way. Uh the uh the property area is beautiful back there. We'd like to keep it that way. Uh and we appreciate the fence uh that would go up.
And we went we did go from uh 89 or 90 uh petitions signed to 290. So, we'd like to submit that to the commission also.
So, there you have it. We appreciate your time. And uh we'll see what happens. >> Are there any other public comments, please? Commission, any comments from you all? Can we get a motion to transmit this >> Looking at the
Was this ever planned for something else or is that just cow trails that went through it or kind of almost looks like roads were in there at one time or >> It's probably people just walking through or RVs or something. I don't know. We We have had no knowledge of any plan on it. It's
still in the county. >> Okay. >> Man, I do have a couple questions. >> Yes, sir. >> How How many residential units are being proposed? Is that like 105 total? >> 131 >> 131 >> [clears throat] >> And how much square footage of
commercial? >> 20 uh 38, I believe. 38,000 >> 38,000 of commercial? >> Yes, sir. >> All right, and it's it's it's pretty much under Mr. Rankin's last one. It would be allowed for the
restaurants, retail, that kind of stuff, but it would it would prohibit other items as he mentioned. >> Oh, absolutely, yes. >> Okay. >> Any >> Just curious. Oh, sorry. Are you finished, Commissioner? I had one more. >> Yes, I'm good.
>> Can we Can we prohibit smoke shops and things like that? Is that in the code? >> I believe that was a on the list, but yes, we can prohibit specific uses if you want that prohibited. >> Those smoke shops seem to be popping up everywhere. >> Are there any other comments? Can we get a motion to trans
>> So, this is a large-scale comp plan, and again, this is first reading. So, as a reminder, there would need to be a vote on a transmittal. So, a motion to transmit to the reviewing agencies would be appropriate to keep this moving along. >> I'll make a motion to transmit.
>> Second. >> It's been moved and second. We have a large scale. Can we do roll call, please? >> Commissioner Berry. >> Yes. >> And Commissioner Reisman. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Cannella. >> No. >> Mayor Berry. Yes. Can someone please introduce 6B4,
6B5, and 6B6? >> I'll introduce 6B4, 5, and 6 to be read by title only. >> 6B4. An ordinance of the City of Leesburg, Florida, annexing certain real property consisting of approximately 118.05
plus minus acres, being generally located south of County Road 48, north of Shady Grove Road, and east of Sumter County line, lying in Section 7, Township 21 South, Range 24 East, Lake County, Florida. Provided that said property so annexed
shall be liable for its proportionate share of the existing and future indebtedness of said city. Provided that such annexed property shall be subject to all laws and ordinances of said city as if all such territory had been a part of the City of Leesburg at the time of passage and approval of said laws and
ordinances. Provided that such annexed territory shall be placed in City Commission District 3, and providing an effective date. 6B5. An [clears throat] ordinance amending the future land use map of the comprehensive plan of the City of
Leesburg, changing the future land use map designation of certain real property consisting of approximately 445.38 plus minus acres, being generally located south of County Road 48, west of North Austin Merritt Road, and east of
Sumter County Line, lying in Section 7, Township 21 South, Range 24 East, Lake County, Florida, and providing an effective date. 6B6 An ordinance of the City of Leesburg, Florida, changing the zoning on
approximately 445.38 plus minus acres from Lake County A agriculture and City R1A single-family residential to City of Leesburg PUD planned unit development to allow for 523
single-family homes for property generally located south of County Road 48, west of North [clears throat] Austin Merritt Road, and east of Sumter County Line, lying in Section 7, Township 21 South, Range 24 East, Lake County, Florida, and providing an effective
date. >> Go ahead. >> Thank you, Mayor. This is the Merritt Ranch project consisting of an annexation, large-scale comp plan, and rezoning. So, this will also be one that needs to be transmitted on a site of consisting of 445 plus or minus undeveloped acres generally
located on the south side of County Road 48, west of North Austin Merritt Road, and east of the Sumter County Line. I want to clarify something. It's 445 total acres. The annexation consists of about 118 acres, so that's 327 that are already in the city. So, the annexation
number is different from the next two cases because that is the request for that is to bring it into the city and put it all under one comp plan and one PUD, which equates to the 445. Under the overall proposal, the future
land use application is requesting a change from Lake County rural and city neighborhood mixed use to city estate. The zoning application for the project is requesting a change from Lake County agriculture and city R1A,
which is single-family residential, to city PUD planned unit development. And the request is for approval of zoning for a future development consisting of approximately 523 detached single-family residential units
at a gross density of 1.17 units per acre. There were no substantiated comments from the city department. The school board did reply that the project will be subject to school concurrency. Uh applicant is currently working with
Lake County Public Works in regard to County Road uh 48 down in that area to provide all requirements for Lake County Public Works, which would be the standard additional right-of-way for drainage, roads, trails, plus turn lanes, acceleration, deceleration lanes.
Under public responses, >> [sighs] >> we received none. Um to the advertisement letters or sign posting. Under the terms of the PUD agreement, we have permitted uses, which include the 523 detached single-family
residential homes with no other uses. Project does does include conditions and development standards, including 383 50-ft lots, 103 60-ft lots, and 37 70-ft wide lots. Each of those has a minimum house size
of 1,700, 1,800, and 1,900, respectively. All lots have architectural standards, two-car garages, gutter requirements, and maximum building height of two floors. There is, of course, the minimum 35% open space, dark sky lighting, boulevard entrances
at all access points, code-compliant landscaping plan, split-rail fence along County Road 48, and around the remainder of the site. And 25-ft landscape buffers are required in all areas not adjacent to existing wetlands. And if the standard bahia or Bermuda grass is
permitted, there are 2.4 acres of recreation space required, which does include active and passive uses, including swimming pool, trails, children's playground with equipment, and fenced dog park. And as you can see on the site plan, there are significant amount of
wetlands, which are protected under the PUD and by state statute. In addition, we are also, and I forgot to mention this previously, requiring double rows of silt fence to protect the 25-ft buffer. Um
Side access is shown coming from County Road 48. It's Boulevard style construction, as we spoke earlier. Uh developer has to provide any and all expansions and upgrades per Lake County. Uh all development is going to be on city water and wastewater, so there's no
wells or septic to the individual houses there. And our utility services have indicated that there is sufficient capacity at this time. And then finally, we have the phasing or expiration clause, which requires that the development move forward within 4 years or the property reverts
to RE1 zoning, which is our lowest one acre per unit. Not one unit per acre, but one acre per unit um zoning classification. We have Ms. Tara Tedrow of Lounge, Drastic, Canter and Reed here
to give you a presentation, if you would like. And any questions? Thank you, Mayor. >> I do have a question, David. You said that we're adding an How long has the other property been in the city? >> Since 2007, I believe it was 2000 It's
either 6 or 7. >> Around the same time Secret Promise? Basically >> Um a little bit after Secret Promise. >> Okay. >> I'm just >> You said earlier >> I'm just >> Good evening. Tara Tedrow Lowe's Law, 2 and 5 North Eola Drive, Orlando, Florida. Here on behalf of the
applicant. You might have gotten a little bit of a preview while Dan was going through his slides, but the presentation you have, I'll just go through it in a little bit more detail. I think the tagline for everybody to take away from tonight's request is it's actually a net reduction in what is otherwise permitted by today's future
land use and zoning of just the city parcel. So, if we came in today just to develop the acreage that is within the city of Leesburg, you could develop 1,125 units. And we're requesting about a 600 unit reduction down to 523
as part of that PUD plan. So, you can see up here on the aerial that it the subject property is 445.38 acres of vacant land. We already have 327.33 acres that are within the city of Leesburg that have entitlements, and 118
acres are in Lake County, and that's what's before you for the separate annexation request. If you go to the next slide, please. So, those 327.33 acres in Leesburg are highlighted, and you can see where those 118 acres are in Lake County, and that's right there on
the county line between Lake and Sumter County. The application makes those three requests. One is the annexation of the 118 acres. The second is a future land use map amendment. So, in order to bring consistency between all of the properties, we're asking for a future
land use map amendment from the neighborhood mixed use city designation to the estate residential, also a city designation. In the county, it has a rural designation on it. But again, I think what's important is that we are requesting 523 units. And if you only
looked at your neighborhood mixed use, and you compare apples to apples from a density perspective, if we have neighborhood mixed use today and we have R1A zoning today, both that comprehensive plan and that zoning in the city are four dwelling units an acre. We are at 1.17 dwelling units an
acre. So, we are not asking for more density than we could otherwise get. And I know you are familiar with me coming and making those exact requests. Um but that is not something that we're asking for tonight. This is actually a net reduction in what is otherwise permitted. And again, that's if you're only looking at the property that's
already in the city. So, if you take those 118 acres out and I came in with site plans under R1A uh with a four per unit density permitted in your zoning and a four to the acre also permitted under your comp plan, you would have over 1,000 units that would be allowed.
So, this is a reduction overall on the project site. From a rezoning perspective, again, R1A city and ag county to PUD across the whole property. There's a lot of wetlands on this site. So, the project says 35% open space in the PUD, but
we're at 66% open space. It is just largely going to be an undeveloped property other than the acreage for the uplands that lend themselves to be able to have that residential development that is again otherwise permitted by right. One of the other big distinctions between the neighborhood mixed use and
what you have today in the proposal is that neighborhood mixed use would allow for a variety of different types of residential uses. So, that's everything from townhomes to condos and apartment buildings by right. And there's some mandatory minimums in there, too, under your neighborhood mixed use that requires that there would
also have to be commercial uses out there. So, from a transportation standpoint, there is a reduction in the overall impacts that would be on 48 by virtue of the project because we're reducing the intensity of the development by entirely removing the commercial development component out there. And we are also reducing the
intensity of what could otherwise to be developed if we were to have multi-family units, townhomes, and other types of development on the project site. And so under a just a zoning perspective again, that's a a net reduction as well. This shows you the master plan. So again, substantial preservation areas
that are distributed throughout the site. So there's an integration of those existing natural systems, which will be nice because 77% of the lots actually back up to a pond or a preservation area. So a majority of those lots are designed in a way that you're going to have a great view of preserved green
space either in your front yard, backyard, uh or in some instances in both your front yard and your backyard. And that was because we did curvilinear design, so there's not the monotony of typical subdivision layouts, um where people just say it's just track homes one after another. So you have a really
nice unique design that respects both the topography of the site, the existing wetlands on the site, while doubling uh almost what the otherwise required open space would be under the PUD requirements today in the city. Again, open space over 66% of the
project is designated as open space. That's 221.8 acres for passive, 74.1 acres for active. There's some review criteria that your planning and zoning board looked at when unanimously recommending approval, that the request is compatible with the proposed future land use designation,
that we're meeting your growth management plan, your future land use elements that are applicable to this review, uh the criteria under your code, and your staff's professional recommendation was for approval, which again your planning and zoning board uh concurred with in making their recommendation as well. I know tonight's
a transmittal. I'm more than happy to answer any questions that you may have. Of course, we'll have the opportunity to come back on a second reading, um when we have state comments if any do come back from the state, and discuss further. But our team is here if you do have any questions, and we would appreciate a transmittal vote and ultimately a recommendation of approval
consistent with your staff and P&Z. Thank you. >> Are there any comments from the commission? Any public comments? Can we make a motion? >> I'll make a motion to transmit. >> I'll second that. >> Roll call.
Commissioner Reisman? >> Yes. >> Commissioner Canole? >> No. >> Commissioner Berry? >> Yes. >> Mayor Berry? >> Yes. >> One second, ladies. Do we have a date >> Estimated second reading date? >> September
>> September 14th. September 14th. >> Yes. Moving in on to the informational reports. City attorney? >> No reports this evening. Thank you. >> City manager? >> No reports either.
>> Roll call. Commissioner Reisman? >> Uh just a couple things. You caught me off guard. Um this Wednesday is the Beverly Shores Elementary ribbon cutting at 9:00 a.m. So, hopefully everyone can come out to that. That'll be a beautiful new facility. Uh August 7th, I know the commissioners were all invited to the teacher
appreciation breakfast at Lake Square Mall. So, come serve our teachers and show them that how much we support them. And then, it hasn't started yet, so I know we can all make it, but at 7:00 p.m. the Leesburg Lightning is taking on the championship game tonight. This is the end all, be all. And if we win, we'll be the champions. That starts at
7:00 so, that'll be it for me. >> Commissioner Canole? >> Nothing tonight. >> Commissioner Berry? >> Nothing tonight. >> Mayor Berry? >> Nothing tonight. Thank you. >> Move to adjourn. >> If there's no further comments. >> Second. >> Thank you.