Turn on your mics. Um, I'd like to call this meeting to order. The planning and zoning commission meeting for the city of Leburg. Uh, it is, >> uh, what's today? >> 20th. November 20th, 2025. Sorry, >> all day.
>> I haven't written the the uh date down all day. Uh please stand for the invocation and a pledge of the flag. Please remove your hats. Thank you. Dear dear heavenly father, we ask that you be with us today as we undertake the
business of the city of Leburg. We pray that the decisions we make today will be pleasing in your sight. We pray this in thy most holy name. Amen. >> 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. >> Thank you. Thank you, >> everybody's had an opportunity to uh review the minutes. Uh are there any
additions, corrections, or deletions? If not, I'll accept the motion to approve. >> Mr. Chairman, I move that we accept the motion the minutes as submitted. >> I second. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor say I.
>> I. >> All opposed. >> Thank you very much. >> Uh let me see here. Do you want to um swear everybody in? If you plan on speaking tonight, please
stand up to be sworn in. If you don't get sworn in, you cannot speak. >> Do you swear affirm the testimony you're about to hear is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. >> Thank you.
Uh >> oh, that's a $25 bill. [laughter] >> Uh Dana, >> all yours. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Like to welcome everyone to the November 2025 city of Leburg Planning Commission meeting. My name is Dan Miller, planning and zoning
director for the city of Leburg. Staff present today includes Candy Harper, direct deputy director, senior planners Diane Yekl and Max Van Allen, planners Melissa Meadows de Los Sanentos and planner Mel Ortiz, along with city
attorney Jennifer Cotch. Today's agenda and speaker registry is available on the table by the exit door. If you wish to speak on a case, we ask that you please sign the speaker registry which is on that table at the entry door and turn it into Sabrina who is seated here on my
left. Under the rules of participation, the meeting will be conducted under the following process. The chairman will announce each case and then staff will read a list of exhibits for the record. This will include maps, photos, and exhibits as shown on the screens. Staff
will then provide the case background, some descriptive information, and then read a recommendation into the record. The applicant will then have an opportunity to speak on the case, and members of the public will then have time for their comments as well. The applicant will then have an opportunity
to respond. The chairman will then close the case to the public. The commission will discuss the case and then the commission will take a vote on the case and call for the next item on the agenda. The planning commission consists of cit citizens who are appointed by the
city commission and it this commission is charged with two primary functions. First is making final decisions on cases such as variances and conditional uses and second is making recommendations for issues to be heard by the city
commission. The city staff provides recommendations to the planning commission based on the city's comprehensive plan, the city's land development regulations and state of Florida statutes. Today, there are three cases on the agenda. All of these cases
today will receive a recommendation by the planning commission and those recommendations will be forwarded to the city commission for final decisions. There are tentative dates for the city commission hearings which are listed in bold on the agenda. These dates are
subject to be changed. So please do check with planning and zoning staff or the city clerk's office in regard to ensuring the final hearing date. Then finally, on behalf of the city of Leburg planning and zoning staff and the city of Leburg planning commission, I'd like to thank you for your participation in
today's public hearing process. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you very much. All right. Under um new business. This would be this is really old business, isn't it? >> Okay. >> Whatever it is, public hearing case
number SP 251269 uh Dominium Apartment Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment. And I'm going to go ahead and read in the other one, too. Um, we're going to do both cases at the same time because it's basically the same
information, but we'll vote on them separately. Um, and the second one's public hearing case number PUB21270 Dominium. That's hard for me to say apartments plan unit development day. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Under the
background, this project consists of a small-cale comprehensive plan and reszoning only. There is no annexation involved in this request. The site consists of approximately 18.71 plus or minus acres. It's generally located on the west side of US Highway 27 and north
of Palm Drive, north of our Moyan Boulevard and south of County Road 25A. The request is for approval for a future development entitlements consisting of 276 multifamily dwelling units. Under this request, the future land use application for this project is
requesting a change from general commercial and low density to general commercial. The zoning application for this project is requesting a change from city of Leburg plan unit development to small plan unit development with revised conditions. Senior planner Max Van Allen
will be presenting the maps and photo exhibits which include the aerial zoning, future land use, surrounding land use, wetlands and flood zone maps commission and CRA maps. >> Thank you, Mr. Miller. The first image is the extended aerial showing the
subject property southwest of CR2A and west of US27. The aerial also shows the subject property north of Palm Drive and west of English Road. The
future land use of the property is currently low density and general commercial. The surrounding Lake County future land use is urban medium density and urban low density.
The proposed future land use is general commercial. The current zoning of the property is PUD, planned unit development, and is surrounded by R3, C3, SPUD, and PUD and
public. The proposed zoning is PUD, planned unit development. Surrounding land uses include office to the north, vacant commercial, vacant institutional, commercial to the east,
single family and vacant government to the south, manufactured home park and vacant government to the west. Surrounding developments include two boats investment up there to the north and then also Lake Denim Estates to the
southwest. There is minimal flood zone on the west edge of the property and there are some wetlands in the northwest corner of the subject properties.
The subject property is between the two the north and south areas of 27441 CRA. The commission district is commission district 2. Signs were posted. The top image is
showing a close-up of the sign from US Highway 27. The bottom image is looking north along CR25A and US Highway 27 from the subject property. The top image is looking east across US
Highway 27 from the subject property. The bottom image is looking south along US Highway 27 from the subject property. The top image is looking west into the subject property from US Highway 27. The bottom image is looking uh closeup of
the sign from County Road 25A. The top image is looking north along County Road 25A from the subject property. The bottom image is looking east along County Road 25A from the subject property. looking south along County Road 25A from
the subject property and looking west into the subject property from CR 25A. That's all I have, Mr. Miller. >> Thank you, Miss Van Allen. With that, we move on to the departmental review summary. Project sent out to all the city departments plus Lake County government and Lake County School Board
for their comments. Under city department responsive, there were no substantiative comments from the city departments. Under the schoolboard comments, the applicant was in contact with school board and has been issued a public facilities determination letter. That is
a letter that states that the current states what the current capacity of the schools in the area is. The school board also noted that the applicant will be required to obtain a school concurrency reservation. This is the action which reserves capacity in the schools for
development. If at the time of development because capacity of the schools the the amount of capacity that's used up changes each year. If the adequate school capacity is not available then the project will be subject to a mitigation agreement. And
as we've talked about before mitigation agreement is basically a cash payment to the school board so that the school board can provide student school adequate student school stations. And um those are done from time to time and year to year depending on what the capacity of the school is at the time of
development. Under Lake County Public Works, the the public works [clears throat] department did not have any comments on the project. Uh staff did want to note that the city of Leburg writes its PUD zonings in a manner to support the request of Lake County Public Works in regard to any up roadway
upgrades that may be required under public responses. Per the Florida statute and city of Leburg code requirements, project was legally advertised, posted, and letters were sent out to the surrounding property owners within 200 feet per city of Leburg code. The city did receive two
written responses to the ads and letters and I'm summarizing their concerns there. Their their concerns were significant alteration to the character of the neighborhood, increased traffic, noise and light pollution, increased crime, concerns about storm water
runoff, additional noise, loose pets and children walking around. Under the terms of the SPUD agreement, this proposal consists of a total of 276 multif family residential units on 18.71 acres plus or
minus. No other uses are permitted. Um unless something has changed in the from our recent meetings, they they want to propose two, three, and four bedroomedroom units, I believe it is. Um, and the sizes are 800, 900, and 1,000
square ft respectively on the sizes. The site plan as provided in your packets meets the code requirements for parking. I want to point that out. Project proposal also includes design standards, which are required by section 25-360 of
the city of Leburg code of ordinances. There are 25 foot undisturbed buffers around the project. Um, we're also requiring a 4ft tall earthen burm along US Highway 25 uh, excuse me, County Route 25A/US
Highway 27, which is supplemented with plantings on the top of the BM to provide a visual and noise buffer. And there is opaque fencing, meaning a solid fence that you can't see through is required anywhere the property is adjacent to the residential areas. So
you'll get a 25 ft buffer and an opaque fence. Um standard other PUD requirements include 35% of the property must be an open space. Dark sky lighting is required. A code compliant landscaping plan is required. The use of
Baja or Bermuda grass is required in place of St. Augustine to reduce water consumption. Maximum building height for the project is three floors. There are facade samples in your packet um which staff has found adequate based on the
code section 25360 the architectural standards site access is shown on the site plan. There is one primary access point plus one emergency access point shown. The PUD requires the developer developer to provide any and all
expansions or upgrade to the access points and roadways as needed and required by FDOT or Lake County. As we did state earlier, under recreation, 1.3 acres of the property must be in park or recreational land. This will include one
primary recreation area with three amenities which are a swimming pool, a children's playground, and a dog park. Under utilities, all of the the project must be on city water and wastewater. So there will be no wells or septics on the
property. Our utility services have indicated through the review process that there is sufficient capacity in all services to serve the development at this time. So um just to note on that capacity is um water, wastewater, all these services are on a first come
first- serve basis. So if they wait too long, if it's not there, they they have to wait until capacity is available. Finally, we do have the phasing or expiration clause which requires that development does move forward within 48 months. substantial commencement must be
um enacted within those four-year time window or the property has an automatic reversion clause which will make the property come under the RE1 zoning standards which is one acre per unit.
I'd like to go ahead and read the two recommendations on this project please. Um, for case number SCP 251269, Dominion Apartments small-cale comprehensive plan amendment to general commercial. The planning and zoning department is
recommending approval of the request for the following reasons. One, the project meets the requirements of chapter 163.3187 Florida statutes for small-cale conference of plan amendments. Two, the proposed request is compatible with the adjacent future land use designations of Lake County, urban, medium density,
urban low density, city, general, commercial, neighborhood, mixeduse, estate, residential, and institutional. Three, the proposed request as conditioned is compatible with the proposed zoning of PUD plan unit development, which actually should read
SPUD. Sorry, I missed that. And four, the proposed future land use designation for the site is consistent with the city's growth management plan, future land use element goal one, objective 1.4 and 1.6. The action requested is vote to approve the small-cale conference of
plan amendment from city general commercial and lowdensity residential to city general commercial and forward the recommendation to the city commission for their consideration. Under case number PUD 15, excuse me, PUD 25-1270,
the resoning to PUD to allow for the multif family apartments for Dominium Dominium apartments. The planning and zoning department recommends approval of the request for the following reasons. One, the proposed request for a PUD plan unit development zoning is compatible with the current surrounding zoning
districts, including Lake County RMRP, which is mobile home rental park district, R six which is urban residential, CP which is plan commercial, C1 which is neighborhood commercial, C2 which is community commercial and with zoning districts in the city of SPUD small plan unit
development, PUD plan unit development, P which is public and C3 which is highway commercial. Two, the proposed resoning is compatible with future land use designation amendment to city general commercial and the current surrounding future land use designations. Three, the site is
compatible with existing city of Leburg approved developments along US Highway 27. And four, the proposed request does not appear to create a detriment to surrounding properties as conditioned in the PUD document. The action requested therefore is vote to approve the proposed resoning from city PUD plan
unit development to city PUD plan unit development with revised conditions and forward this recommendation to the city commission for their consideration. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, based on a review of this proposal and the fact that it is consistent with the city's conference of plan land development regulations, the staff is recommending
approval for cases SCP 251269 and PUD 251270 Dominium Apartments. Mr. Joe Kovcics Kovxus of the law firm Lounge Dstic Caner Reed Law Firm in Orlando is here to represent
the case and answer any questions you may have. That is all staff has at this time. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Any questions to staff before we move on? >> No, sir. [clears throat] >> Um, you mentioned the the parking. Um,
what's how many parking spots? I mean, is there >> We didn't really talk about that too much. >> Um, there are a variety of bedrooms and we did make we did do the calculation. I don't remember it off the top of my head
the exact number of parking spaces. However, um the parking as it's shown does meet the city's current parking code. Um and those are based on bedroom size for apartments. >> Okay. Cool. Sounds good.
Uh please state your name and your address, please. >> Yes, sir. My name is Joseph Kovashes, attorney Loun Law Firm, 215 North Yola Drive in Orlando, Florida. We did submit a PowerPoint presentation. If I could get that pulled up.
Now, I'll start by saying you'll see the name Logan Opsol on the PowerPoint. He is an attorney in my office who has been working with staff on behalf of Dominium. Uh, Mr. Obsol had a conflict tonight, so I'm here in his place. Uh, again, Joe Kovishes from Lens Law Firm.
Cool. Um, I I'll start by saying uh that I thank you all for for serving the city on this board and listening to me for the next few minutes. Um, I'm going to run through our project and I will address the issue of parking and why um
is worthy of a little bit of discussion tonight. So this guy working >> short presentation for you. >> I got it. Thank you. Um so a little bit about Dominium the developer. It this is
an experienced company as you can see here. They has about 100,000 people across 19 states. There are are different sections. There's the southeastern section that includes Florida um is is the group who is sort
of behind this project. And the most important thing I want to tell you about Dominium is they want to be a community partner. It's not a developer that builds an apartment complex and then leaves. It's a
developer who will build a community and stay here as a part of the community. Um, as you can see here, they they donate back to the community. The company manages the projects. There's a vested interest to produce uh
a quality product both from a sales perspective and because they have to maintain it, right? So, so they are a true community partner here. Staff has gone over the property. Uh, it was annexed to the city in 2011. It is
off of US Highway 27, so we believe it's a it's a good location for this project. Um, you'll see uh sort of rendering mockup inside um from inside the community. Again, you you heard the the
request. It's the amendment to the PUD um to change it to commercial and it's the PUD uh I'm sorry it's the amendment to the future land use to make it commercial and then the reasonzoning to PUD if there was an expired PUD
um so now even though it's reszoning to PUD really trying to get the PUD back into effect the goal being to develop this attainable housing project threetory maximum fully amenitized.
Um, here's a conceptual rendering. Again, we want it to be an attractive, nice place to live, someplace to better the city of Leburg and the community in general.
Uh, site was previously approved for an office in Commercial Park back in 2011. Was also previously approved for a 305 bed assisted living facility. Uh we do think this is a much better use of the space. Staff went over the zoning
and future land use. So I won't focus on that. Um I will say there is uh highway commercial that C3 zoning to the north and just to the east. If we look at what is um permitted by
right in that highway commercial zoning, it's multifamily, group living, adult daycare. you know, some of these uses that could be at a site like this. Um, why we want a PUD and not straight
Uklitian zoning is because PUD provides that flexibility. It provides the ability to work with the city to work with staff to create a product that everybody wants that makes sense given the site and the unique conditions
there. In fact, our team has worked extensively with staff uh in this project through meetings to review um our proposals. I will highlight some of the existing conditions on site. These are photographs from within the property. It
is not a completely vacant property. Um there are some older buildings there. Uh some structures in serious need of of removal. And obviously this development will clean up the site. These structures will
be removed. Um there needs some attention. Here's the proposed site plan and this is something that we have worked with staff on. Um so uh let me jump ahead a little bit. So
we call this the excess parking plan. This is the code compliant parking plan with two parking spaces per unit. So 276 units, 555 parking spaces, a sea of
paved surfaces there. The setbacks, the building setbacks are compressed, so the buildings have to be more towards the outside of the property to make all the parking fit. Um, that's the site plan we don't want to be
candid. This is the site plan that we want, which we understand staff supports, uh, which would require a slight deviation from the code. It drops the parking space ratio down from 2.0 per
unit to 1.6 spaces per unit. allows us to increase the distance between many of these buildings and the neighboring properties, does not represent a change in the unit count we're asking for. Um, but we think
more closely aligns with what the the data the the studies and the engineering data suggest is actually required for an attainable housing project. We we do have I have other members of our application development team here to
help me answer questions which I'm sure uh there will be questions posed to our group and and I'm sure they can go into more detail on some of the specifics here. But the data says that for attainable housing projects, residents don't have as many cars. They don't have
as many vehicles. So there isn't the same requirement as a market rate development for parking spaces. We believe 1.6 spaces per unit is appropriate here.
And you can see in comparing the two that these buildings um are pushed away from the neighboring property in several locations and that's it. Um, we have recommendations of approval from staff
on both the future land use map amendment and the PUB resoning. We realize that the e what we call the excess site plan that 2.0 spaces per unit is the site plan in your packet. It's my understanding we're not here today for site plan approval
specifically, but it is an important consideration I think at this stage. Um, but we would ask that or we do want to represent that we want the 1.6 bases per unit. Um, with that, I thank you again
for your time and attention. I'm here to answer questions. I have other members of our team here to answer questions. >> Did Did everybody see the site plans on there? Because we didn't get either one of those site plans on our packet. >> About to say I've seen three different site plans.
You want to go back to that uh the site plans? >> Just look at here. >> The uh the um the site plan >> in >> the packet may be one of the initial concept plans. >> It's not it's not like either one of
these. It's a third one. >> Um Mr. Chairman, I see what you're talking about. >> We We meant to put >> not this one in the plan because this the one, but that one correct. That was our staff's mistake. I apologize for
that. I see what you're talking about now. >> The the this was originally as it came in and then through discussions, >> it looks like you're trying to take the streets on the inside. >> Yes, sir. The newer plan that Mr. Kovish is showing staff does support
There are reasons for that, but um and it does reduce the parking. So, I do apologize for not getting that first one in there like in the package as it was supposed to be. Um but I do I do respectfully support the new site plan.
Um the reason being sir creates a very large buffer down on the south side and um reduces the buildings on the west and with the um the goal of
having an attainable uh which is what which is a market that we desperately need attainable units that um there will be transit in the area. So staff does respectfully support that. Thank you. >> How do you feel about the the difference in the different uh parking ratio?
>> Um because because it's on the highway like that, it offers the opportunity for mass transit which is going to occur as Leburg grows. There's no doubt about that. I think I believe the state law
still says that once you hit 50,000 a city has to provide it and we're on the way to that. pretty quickly. And um the other issue is that the in significant increase in the buffers to the neighboring properties
and the studies which the applicant has looked at and shown I believe support the 1.6. I was a little bit surprised myself to be honest. So, um, how do I mean, are you in support of the
16 or the 20? >> The 16. >> Okay. >> Because of and and because of the potential for the mass transit and the much much better design. >> Okay. Any other questions? Um,
okay. I think that's we'll go to the public. >> Um, no. I got a question. >> Okay. Um, do um Dominion keep up their apartments? Are they very >> Yeah. Yeah, we uh we >> State your name, please. >> I'm Glenn Daniels with Dominium.
>> Uh thanks for having your address, >> first of all. >> Uh 375 Northridge Road, Sandy Springs, Georgia. >> Okay. Um so, Dominium does own and manage our apartments for a minimum of 15 years, whether after they're
constructed or acquired. Um, we're proud owners and operators. We've been in the state of Florida for over a decade. We own 33 communities in Florida alone. Uh, over 10 of which are in Central Florida. You can look us up online. Uh, we we
maintain our communities. Our So, Dominium has acquired several communities in the past. We have recently within the last decade begun doing new construction projects. We have constructed several senior housing
projects in Orlando. Uh they're very beautiful products. They we maintain them, take care of them. Um and we've recently be begun doing general general occupancy which is similar to this one and like the rendering should. That's
similar to what it'll look like. The the rendering wasn't exactly to our site plan. It's just a conceptual rendering from another project. Okay. Cool. Any other questions? >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you everyone.
All right. We'll uh open it to the public. Um Thomas, I can't read the last name. >> Yeah. Come forward, please. Thanks. State your name or address, please. Uh
>> Thomas Whip, 226 Prince Drive, Leburg, Florida. I am president of the Corey Island Mobile Manor Homeowners Association. I've lived in the immediate area for 39 years, 26 years in Ravenswood, now 9 years in
Corey Island. And uh we are about 150 units that was built in the early '7s. Retirement community. uh since I've moved here or since yeah
since I moved here Lake Denim Estates was approved and built in the around 2017 or so which added uh 571 lots I believe it was which uh greatly increased the traffic.
We have a a slight problem with children from Lake Denim Estates coming into our area area. Uh that that's going to bring approximately uh 1100 more residents to the area if
you average four people per household. It's going to bring more than 300 more vehicles to the area and terrible out that traffic out there right now is terrible right now. You can sit at the stop sign there at Canel and 27 for 3 to 5 minutes before you can make a left
turn, go into town. There's no sidewalks, no burm on the road on 25A, which isn't real safe, but if people go up 25A north, you're going to bottleneck at the north end. uh
you know your water consumption is going to jump up 80,000 gallons a day. Your turnpike plant has already and more than doubled its size in the last 10 years. It's went from a 4 and a half million gallon a day plant to a 9 million gallon
plant 9 million gallons a day plant. And that I'm sure was a huge cost to the city to do that. But uh the traffic is terrible down 27. If anybody people
live down 27, you go into town 8 9:00 in the morning, it's backed up past Singleary Park if you're going north. And that's every morning. That's not occasional. At night, you come south, it's a backed up to Main Street.
It's just bad traffic. No sidewalks. you know, you're going to have children. There's no sidewalks to go up uh 25A to uh the city. That's just a terrible situation when it comes to traffic. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Was there anybody else that signed up to speak? >> Okay. Well, um did the applicant uh have anything to Sorry.
Do the applicant have anything else to add before we close? >> Yes, Mr. Chair. Um, with uh I I want to uh first of all thank the member of the public for speaking and recognize that um his his
concerns are and have been addressed. So the applicant has met with um Lake County Public Works. We've met with FDOT. We've discussed the issue of roads. Obviously, concurrency for
transportation planning is a part and will be a part of any development here. Um we will be required to get any any appropriate permits. Um uh the neither Lake County Public Works
nor FDOT had any comments um about the proposed development. The applicant also held a community meeting in which we were able to talk with many members of the neighboring communities. Um, and the overwhelming
concern was the distance separation between the buildings and those neighboring properties, which is something we've uh been proactive in considering and and went into some of the design for the 1.6 six uh space per unit site plan to push
these buildings away from the boundary to create additional distance separation beyond what is required between those neighboring developments because again uh those setbacks the distance separation that was the concern expressed to us during the community
meetings. Um, so I would respectfully submit that issues about traffic, about sidewalks along our property, about water consumption, those are issues that we have been working on and and obviously have to be brought up to count
or to city standards, FDOT standards. Um, and we have to meet all of those requirements in the code. Thank you. >> Thanks. All right, we're going to close the public uh for discussion rendered
decision. >> Is there any discussion on this? >> If not, um go ahead. >> Go ahead. >> Public hearing. Let me introduce it real quick. Um public hearing case uh SP25
1269 minium apartments smallcale comprehensive plan amendment. Um any any discussion on that? >> Um yes. Um um I'm not >> sorry.
>> I'm not comfortable with apartments being out there. Um on 25A I mean not this many apartments. >> I'm just not comfortable because I'm I don't think that's a good fit.
But that's me. >> Okay. >> Any other discussion? >> Yeah, sure. Um, he told us to go online and look at the website. I did. It opened up at 2.0
for the reviews for the company, for the management. And I do um think that's a lot of apartments for that particular area. Um 27 is busy. Um it's just a lot.
Um Dan, it's you know the parking spaces. I know that it's all that's coming with with 27 being like that though. Um does it have to be that many
um [clears throat] apartments? I mean and three stories. I don't think that really that sticks out like a sore thumb in that area. >> The commission has the ability to make whatever recommendation they wish to make. Um
>> it's not at the top of the potential density as far as the number of potential units. >> Um now every developer is going to make a decision based on >> market >> the market and the number of units available to them through the process as
to whether or not they move forward. So, >> the the commission does have the right to >> make recommendations as to what you would like to see. Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah. Cuz I'm I'm seeing with, you know, I think is when those apartments
red past um save a lot. >> Yeah. >> Close to it. I mean, yeah. I mean, to me, it's too close and all. No. Okay. >> All right. If there's no more
discussion, um I'll accept a motion on that first case. >> Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion for case number SP-25-1269 to deny. >> Is there a second? >> Yes, I second.
>> Any discussion on the motion? >> Roll call. Commissioner Marshall, >> yes. >> Commissioner Ke, I'm sorry, Carter. >> Yes. >> Commissioner Baroft, >> yes. >> Commissioner Robertson, >> yes.
>> Commissioner Senate, >> no. >> Commissioner Sanders, >> no. >> All right. >> The eyes have it. on uh public hearing case number
PUB21270 Dominium Apartments Plan Unit development. Is there a motion? >> Mr. Chair, for case number I mean for PUB 25-127 to deny with motion to
>> Is there a second? >> Yes. Any discussion? Roll call. >> Commissioner Carter, >> yes. >> Commissioner Darov, >> yes. >> Commissioner Robertson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Senate, >> no.
>> Commissioner Sanders, >> no. >> Commissioner Marshall, >> yes. >> Okay. >> Thank you very [clears throat] much. All right. And I guess the third one is new
business, right? The other two cuz the agenda was set up separate differently. Public hearing case number SPUD25704 Leburg Flex Small Plan Unit development. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Under the background for this case, this is project consisting of a reszoning only
on a site consisting of 7.8 plus or minus undeveloped acres. It is generally located on the east side of US Highway 27 and just north of Commander Avenue on a site which is also north of the US 27 CR48
intersection. If you will look at where the uh car wash and the boys ranch thrift store is, it's immediately just a little bit north of that on some undeveloped property. Under the overall proposal, the zoning application for the project is requesting a change from plan
unit development to plan unit development with revised conditions. The request is for approval of a future development consisting of multi-use office/warehouse buildings, which this is the kind of thing we call flex space. It's what you find down on West Main, right across from the Bolan Alley. Um,
planner Melissa Meadows de los Santos will present the maps and photo exhibits which include the aerial zoning, future land use, surrounding land use, wetlands, flood zone maps, commission, and CRA maps. >> Thank you, Mr. Miller. As you can see, the extended aerial map shows the
subject property in relation to the general area. It is east of US20 highway 27 and southeast of County Road 33. This aerial shows the subject property is north of Commander Road and east of
US Highway 27. The city of Leburg zoning map shows the subject property zoned as C3 Highway commercial with city C3 MPED to the south and west.
The Lake County zoning map has RM mixed home residential to the north, east, and south, R six urban residential to the east, and RMRP mobile home rental park, CP plan commercial, R six urban residential, and C1 neighborhood
commercial to the west. This map shows the proposed zoning as an SPUD small plan unit development. The city of Leburg future land use map shows the subject property with general commercial, lowdensity residential and
conservation to the south and general commercial to the south. Lake Countyy's future land use map shows the subject property with urban low density to the northeast, south, and west. I >> surrounding land uses are to the north
manufactured home park residential 55 plus to the east single family residential >> to the south I didn't think about it before >> vacant commercial medical commercial car wash single family residential and residential 55 plus and to the west
manufactured home park rental vacant commercial and auto parts commercial and this maps the City developments map shows AIA skilled nursing facility on State Road 27. Fox Point is directly to the south on Commander Road and Spring
Creek is on East County Road 48 and Bright Leaf in the park on West County Road 48. This flood zone map and the following wetlands map shows that the subject property has significant flood zone and wetlands and the commission district is district
2. The community redevelopment area is near the 27441 community CRA. Sorry. The top photo here shows a close-up of the sign from Commander Road. The bottom
photo is looking north onto the subject property from Commander Road. And this next top photo is looking east along Commander Road from the subject property. And the bottom photo is looking south across Commander Road from the subject property. And the final
photo shows it looking west along Commander Road from the subject property. And that is all I have. Mr. Miller. >> Thank you, Mrs. De Los Santos. With that, we move to the departmental review summary. project was sent out to all city departments plus Lake County government, Lake County School Board for comment. City department had the city
departments had no substantiative comments in regard to this matter. As this is a non-residential project, the school board stated they had no comment and Lake County Public Works responded with no comment. Under the public responses, per the
Florida statutes and city of Leburg code requirements, project was legally advertised, posted, and letters were sent out to the surrounding property owners within 200 feet. The city did not receive any responses to the ads and letters. Under the terms of the SPUD
agreement, this proposal consists of 7.8 plus or minus acres. The permitted uses include industrial flex space, office uses, warehousing and logistics, indoor light manufacturing and assembly, contractor and trade offices, technology
services like computer and data processing, materials testing, food and beverage production, inside and closed buildings, building trades and contractors within indoor storage, the typical things that are done in a flex space type unit. The project proposal
also includes design standards which includes screening of mechanical equipment 35% of the property in open space dark sky lighting code compliant landscaping plan. There's a two I believe it's a two floor maximum height requirement landscape buffers of course
bea and bermuda grass are acceptable but not St. Augustine. And the site access is shown on the site plan. It comes from Commander Road. There's one access point. That's all they need because this is not a large development. It's one street in um because US 27 is under FDOT
authority, the developer will be required to provide any and all expansions or upgrades to the entryways and roadways if needed and required by FDOT. That's talking about US 27. Um Commander Road is relatively new and the
county did not have any um nor the city have any comments on that. Uh again under utilities the development must be on city water and wastewater. So there's no well or septic on the property. And finally is the standard phasing or expiration clause which gives four years
to substantial commencement or an automatic reversion to the RE1 zoning recommendation. under the recommendation itself for request to reszone
the property under SPUD27-704 for the Leburg Flex Blunt Birchmeyer project. Planning and zoning department is recommending approval of the request for the following reasons. One, the proposed project the proposed request for a small plan unit development zoning is compatible with the current
surrounding zoning districts which include Lake County RM which is mixed home residential R six which is urban residential and with city of Leburg C3 which is highway commercial and PUB which is plan unit development. The current future land use designation of general commercial is compatible with
the proposed zoning of SPUD and three the proposed request does not appear to create a detriment to the surrounding properties based on the location proximity to compatible development and the indoor industrial commercial flex use. Uh the action requested is vote to
approve the proposed reszoning from C3 Highway commercial and PUD to city of Leburg SPUD which is small plan unit development and forward this recommendation to the city commission for their consideration. Um
Mr. Chairman the SPUD which is small plan unit development category did not exist previously which is why it's going from PUD to SPUD. that the same thing. It's just an SPUD indicates that it's under 10 acres in size. Uh therefore, Mr.
Chairman, based on review of this proposal and the fact that it is consistent with the city's comprehensive plan, land development regulations, the staff is recommending approval for case number 25-704, Leburg Flex. Mr. Rick Blunt of Blunt Development is here to represent the
case and answer any questions you may have. And that is all for now. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Uh quick question. Yes, [clears throat] sir. >> There's not going to be any commercial trade, so to speak. [clears throat] >> Commercial trades?
>> Well, you know, uh businesses, >> uh retail or something like that. >> Actually, we're we're the retail would be accessory. The retail would be accessory to the use. For example, if I have a a plumbing business >> Mhm. >> and you come in to my office and I've
got all my equipment in the warehouse in the back, I can still have a showroom up front. What we don't want to have is just pure retail in there because that's going to take too many parking spaces. >> I just wanted to clarify that. I mean, I assume that was the case, but >> Yes, sir. That is correct. >> Okay. Cuz I was looking at all the uses and I didn't see anything that looked
real retail. We tried to call out a number of uses and we do this in our PUDS in order that you won't see the project again in 5 years if or 10 years if it's sold or something and and it and if the land uses haven't changed around it then it can continue without having
to come back. >> Any other questions to staff? >> I don't see any elevations of the buildings and nothing like that. >> Um I apologize, Mr. Chairman. I guess we didn't get any. Um, they do have to meet
the the uh 25-360 section of the city of Leburg code of ordinances for for the architectural standards. The actual standards would be applied as
you're going down Commander Road looking back north to the buildings because these are back off the road. So they're you're not really going to have to see much there. Um but the standard would be applied on the end of the building and in addition they have to put a sidewalk
on their portion of Commander Road. Um [clears throat] something very similar to what's down on West Main is what we're looking for. >> Okay. >> Cool. Any other questions? >> So there's one more question if you don't mind. Just access to the front of
the building. no access out the back of the building. >> That's correct. Um is the way it the way it was designed and the way it shows on the on the site plan is one road in and you have the front of this business and the front of that business. The business everything's internally oriented.
>> Okay, >> there you go. >> Yeah, I've got that in front of me. I was just uh wanted to clarify. >> Okay. Yeah, I I was I didn't see that up there at the moment. of we've protected the wetlands with the appropriate buffers and argued with the applicant
over providing landscaping. [clears throat] [laughter] >> Any other questions to staff? >> Ricky, you want to come up? >> Sure. >> I still call him Ricky. I met him since he was a little [laughter] baby. >> And I apologize. I apologize for not bringing you up sooner. Uh we were
expecting John and he lost track of time. So he texted us. So we found out he wasn't coming. So that's when I called on you. So, I apologize for not calling you double. >> You're forgiven. [laughter] >> I was sitting there. I looked at you. I went
>> staff did a great job um explaining what this is. This is not >> State your name and your address, please. >> Uh Rick Blunt, 5429 County Road 125, Wildwood, Florida. Although I was raised here, so were my parents. And uh I It's funny. Quick, indulge me 30 seconds. I
know I have three minutes, [laughter] >> but uh you got all the time you want, >> actually. the Butler Chevrolet over there. I was ironic. We we were uh meeting before this meeting at the Vander Brew coffee shop and my mother who's 93 and my sister happened to walk in coincidentally. I know you know them
both, but um and uh she said this building was Butler Chevrolet and my uncle worked there in the 40s in the parts department. And I said, "Oh yeah, that's right. I've heard that story a couple times." But I just thought that was cool and interesting, you know. But I love this city. Have a history here.
My parents graduated both of them in 1950. I did in 79. And so, uh, you know, I love this town. All my kids graduated and grew up here. And, uh, so know I know a lot of these faces in here tonight. And, um, we're just excited to bring something that brings jobs. I'm
I'm not up here having to ask for something controversial, you know, that a lot of the people don't want to bring, >> you know. So, my my office, it's in Wildwood, but it's just over the line on off of 44. It's been in one of these types of uh projects. They're called
small bay industrial or flex. There's not a lot of those in Leburg yet, but there'll start to be more there. It's a [clears throat] great way for someone like me, a developer that can um build these and have 34 separate businesses come in and and it's affordable for them because we pay for the construction of
the building and and all the things that go with that and then we lease it for them for, you know, in the teens per square foot. So, it's very affordable. I've been in my same unit for eight years. It's uh over there behind Spar. Some of you know where that is in Wildwood. And and all the different
businesses that are in there uh are typically kind of what Dan was reading, you know, these different, you know, tile setters, a lot of different variation of businesses. Um but more and more today, you're seeing in these flex spaces, really innovative type things
that come in. You'd be surprised the ones that that come into these now. There's all kinds of different ones, but um and these some of these people outgrow their home business, you know, their or their wife says or their husband, you know, quit storing all this in the garage and, you know, go move out. So, they've outgrown and they can
come into one of these. It's kind of an innovator um incubator, so to speak. But, but anyway, we um uh we're very excited to bring uh somewhere between 45 and 68 jobs uh with this project and [clears throat] uh we appreciate your consideration for it. I love Leburg
again and it's going to be a beautiful project and we appreciate y'all's consideration. >> Cool. >> Any question? >> Any questions for me? >> Nope. >> Nope. Thank you. >> Was there anybody to speak for or against it from the audience?
>> All right, we'll close to the audience for a discussion rendered decision. Um public hearing case number SPUD25704 Leburg Flex Small Planned Unit development.
>> Well, Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion to approve public hearing case SPUD25704. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Commissioner Carter.
>> Yes. Commissioner Baroft, >> yes. >> Commissioner Robertson, >> yes. >> Commissioner Senate, >> yes. >> Commissioner Sanders, >> yes. >> Commissioner Marshall, >> yes. >> Commissioner Simon, >> yes. >> Thank you very much.
>> Happy flexing. >> Is there anything else that needs to be brought up before this uh body? >> Mr. Chairman, >> forget it. M. Um, it's always bad news. [laughter] Um, couple of quick items. Staff's working on the new planning commission binders for all the members. We hope to
distribute those at next month's meeting. Um, on and that's number one. Number two, on at Monday city commission meeting, staff's been asked to make a brief presentation on the pros and cons of a planning commission versus a versus a magistrate. Our job is simply to
present the facts, not to take a side on it. So, >> that's this Monday. >> Yes, sir. This Monday, >> see you there. And well, I will be out of town unfortunately, so you will have the pleasure of uh seeing Miss Miss Harper do that on my behalf.
>> You may hear me from where you are. >> Um and then finally, I have the pleasure of like to introduce everyone to Mr. Mel Ortiz. Uh he has recently joined the planning department as a planner. uh I believe it was October 27th. Yes.
>> And as recent graduate of the University of Houston with a masters in public administration. Um he made a nationwide job search and he chose Leburg. >> So we're happy to have him. >> Good taste. Good taste. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
>> Thank you. >> I only one thing I want to bring up is it's a a grape on my side. I guess I I keep doing it, but >> those temporary signs that go up that are against the signage rules. >> Is there any way we can get
>> um >> Oh, you talking about the code enforcement >> the little yard signs in the ground. >> The little yard signs will get poked in the ground. I will make a call >> because those are those are outlawed because of our sign ordinance. >> They are. >> And I brought it up to the assistant
city manager that day and it it got fixed. That one got fixed, but they had a backup like two weeks later. They're everywhere. >> We have an ongoing long-term problem with that. As soon as they get taken up, new ones pop. >> They need to pick them up, bring them
into the office, call the number, cuz I did that because there was one one of my properties >> and I called it was one of my renters. I said, "Those are against the law. Take it down." >> Sorry. That's just one of my pet peeves. I pass them every day.
>> Go ahead. >> Now, I have a little concern, but I don't know if I should discuss it among the public here. But I do have a little concern though. So, we should wait until everybody leaves. >> Well, I mean, if it's to do with the business, >> do with the business?
>> Well, you need to go ahead and bring it out in public because we can't really >> But it's not the public business, though. >> It's it's among it's among us. Yeah, but we're a public >> we can't have conversations outside of the public. >> Still falls under the sunshine law. So >> if we Yeah. If we close it down and then
have an a separate meeting that's breaking the sunshine law. >> Well, what I wanted to say is is uh cuz I'm still a student of learning planning commission and uh and when things like uh everything falls within regulations.
>> Yes, sir. when everything falls within regulations and and and and because we feel a certain way about something. If a parking lot is not enough uh either the lots are not big enough and that's the way we feel. >> Yes, sir.
>> Do that put us in jeopardy of lawsuits or or anything like that? Because if if this developer got his ducks in a row, I'm talking about straight up and he comes back and we still deny him of something that he know he could do and he can come back and shoot a Is
that correct? >> That's right. However, this board just makes a recommendation to the city council. So, we take some of the pressure off you all >> and it's really the >> the city council's motion whether or not to approve
>> um a project and why the the the reasons behind a denial for instance >> and now does it make it the decision that we render does it makes a little difficult for the city council in some cases >> they can either take it or leave it. So,
um, some council members or commissioners will take a P&Z recommendation, uh, weighted heavier than others. So, it's it's really just up to personal opinion and preference. >> Okay.
>> And that is why they're that's coming up Monday with the uh magistrate versus the planning commission. >> And that's what I I was going to add. >> That's what I wanted to ask her. There's your opinion. >> There's developers out there that >> you can't really >> that
>> that want it more cut and dry and that's why they're having they want an attorney to do it because we'll say well >> according to law this is the way it has to be >> and >> my opinion is
I don't think no offense to you I don't think the attorney is going to take the time if if there's a something that could be worked out you know how we always do we work about making people happy as long as it's within law. I don't think the magistrate is going to take the time to do something like that and that's something we do.
>> Yeah. And their job is their job is to make sure dot eyes are dotted tees are crossed and it doesn't take into consideration public feeling. Um and we're all respected members of various none of us live in the same
neighborhood. So we all know you know have an overall sense of the city. Some of us are transplants. Some of us are homegrown. So that's what makes our opinions valuable as a commission versus in my opinion versus just someone that's
sitting there doing their job. >> And so I hope that whoever makes the decision on that um takes that into consideration. Yeah. And I hope maybe that I hope I'm available Monday too to give um to let them know too as well. We're not here just being bosses. we're
we're hearing what the community is saying to us and I think we're not only a buffer but we're just an added ear to the situation. So, and I I would like to believe that they do take us and you know, at times we've seen various
commissioners come in and sit down and they see how we, you know, how we're interacting with not only the community but amongst each other and the developers. And I'm proud of us because we have gotten a lot of things worked out um between the community and the
developers. And there's a lot of things that are and I love to see when uh I've been here long enough to see things happen and I go, "Oh, I know that that's that way." Cuz we had a conversation with the community
>> and the commission and then so it was a group effort and that's what I think that's what community is. It's a group effort. So yes. So you got a good good point, Nate. >> Like this uh like this Dominion case. Yeah. I went out there and spent about
45 minutes out there last week, you know, because when you send it, whenever you send it, >> and it's actually a perfect fit for where it's going to be at. >> That's what you think. >> But but then it falls within regulations. >> But I'm just saying that >> it falls with But it falls within
regulations. That's >> That's what you think. >> No, no, it does. It ain't what I think. >> It falls in reg But you said the part about it being a perfect fit >> for me. I think that but I'm talking it falls within regulation of the city. >> That that is that is a [clears throat] fact that it falls within the regulation. Now the part that you said
hold on. The part that you're saying is a perfect fit >> for me. For me >> that's your opinion. So you had a fact and then you had an opinion. >> But but the but facts bags it up that it would be a a fit. I ain't going to say but facts backed up that it would be a
fit because it's within the city ordinance. So you have every right to to if I may. >> Yes, please do. that there's u there's always that twist of opinions that issue between opinions because I can my staff
and I can look at a project and say yes it works within the regulations and we will work with the developer when it comes in and they may come in with 350 units and we've already before it gets here it's been cut down or moved or changed around and in order to fit the
regulations >> right >> however [clears throat] There are always those issues. So, and what I'm saying is neither one of you are wrong. You're both actually right here because there always those issues. Uh what what one person sees as heavy traffic as a person
from a very very small town, one red light stop light town sees as heavy traffic, the person from Atlanta or um Dallas or Los Angeles laughs about. And so that's where you get into the opinions there because yes, I can say it
fits within the regulations, but there are other many issues in terms of development that you have to deal with that are both inside the regulations, but also subject to a great deal of opinion. So, it's very complicated and there's no and I appreciate this board
and the unity and the hard work because I don't think there's a single project that comes before you that cannot be argued in some form or fashion. >> But now with the traffic, we all know at the table here with the traffic that's not going to happen until the people get
here, until the population get to a certain amount of people. Is that correct? >> Yes, sir. um what we are experiencing right now and back in 2024 I did a presentation before the city commission in regard to some of the traffic issues
that we have and I do not claim to be a traffic engineer by any stretch of the imagination >> but the state of Florida had put out some information year or two ago in regards to the increases in population increase in traffic city of Leburg
probably builds anywhere from 15 to 30 on average single family homes a month and then there's numerous commercial projects. I believe if you added up the traffic increase, you take your base traffic that go that was in whatever
year you wanted to start, add up all of the new traffic that is generated that can be scientifically tracked through the Institute of Traffic Engineers uh traffic transportation books. um it doesn't add up to that and that and so
we end up with Leburg doing this little bit of growth or or this growth. I won't say a little bit. >> Yeah. >> Um Minnola, uh Claremont, Groveland, Mascot. So, we're all experiencing the exact same
even out in Lake County, of course, um developments are being approved and all of that traffic. Now I get a job if I live in Leburg and I work in Ocala. I'm going through. If I if I live in Claremont and come to Leburg, I'm going
through somewhere, >> right? >> I'm not taking a short trip from perfectly Palmora Park to downtown, no big deal. >> But if I'm coming down from Claremont to here, then I'm occupying that road for half an hour more
>> through traffic through traffic. And that's hard to get your head around when you see all this traffic. It's hard to believe that, but when you look at the amount of square footage that's gone up and the number of houses, it doesn't support it. It doesn't support what we're seeing. So, there has to be an answer. And that answer is a lot of
people go from one city to another to work. And a lot of people go out of Lake County, go into Orange County or go into Sumpter, go into the different nearby locations. So the what our staff is
looking at is for example this flex space that came before you tonight. This is one I literally would have been distraught if you had recommended denial on it because what Mr. Blunt said in his job estimate I believe that we we had conversations
about it and the number of units he was had and I and if you have I don't know let's say you have 25 units there going to be at least two employees >> right? So there's 50 right there. >> And um that's 50 jobs that we do not
have right now, >> right? >> And some of those businesses may move from Leburg to this development. Some of them may move from Claremont or Orlando or somewhere else. >> Started in a garage. >> Microsoft did start. >> I think I think Apple was it Apple.
Thank you. [clears throat] >> And it's too bad Apple didn't beat Microsoft, but that's another discussion. [laughter] But um so so the traffic's a real issue. I I don't want to deny anyone's opinion. I'm just using that because everyone understands
it. And uh we we we have to manage the growth because state law does not allow us to stop it. >> But even with the traffic, because I've hung out in some big cities, you know, get ready to go here. Even with the traffic, okay, we might be jammed up at 9:00 a.m. >> By 10:30, you can drive all the way to
freaking Orlando without any problem. in the afternoon you might be jammed up at 6:00 like right about now >> and come back an hour you can go wherever you want to from here to Ocala or from here to Claremont without any problem so I don't really consider that uh I don't live out there of course I
live right here in [laughter] so it takes me about two three years to get home but I'm just saying you know I mean >> but you just gave it away because you lived in >> Yeah I do bigger cities I do live close >> I lived in Atlanta for a long time so perspective does matter
>> anyway Yeah, I'm going to shut this down. Mr. I was going to say that's why Jennifer is here to keep us legal. >> Last word is to uh to be at the meeting Monday. >> What time? Monday. >> 5:30. >> 5:30. 5:30. >> Thank you. >> Right here. >> Y >> All right, everybody. Have a good
evening. >> You too. >> All right.