Get the Weekly Signal

Groveland Planning & Zoning Board
August 2024

5 items on the agendaConvened August 1, 2024
CHANGE LENS

THE READINGmeeting record

City of Groveland Planning & Zoning Board — August 1, 2024

Meeting Overview

Type: Regular Meeting Quorum: Yes (5 of 8 members present) Duration: Approximately 2 hours 25 minutes (3:18 PM - 5:43 PM)

Attendance

  • Present: Robert Proper (Vice Chair, presiding), Zach Decker, Robin Hoover, Kerry Lambert, Stephen Shylkofski
  • Absent: Keith Keogh (Chair), Marty Proctor, Bill Mathias
  • Staff Present: City Attorney Anita Geraci-Carver; Timothy Maslow, Community & Economic Development Director; DeWayne Jones, Planning and Zoning Division Manager; Hannah Forbes, Planner I; Kailey Albritton, Recording Secretary

Agenda Items

Item 1: Consent Agenda — Approval of June 6, 2024 Minutes

  • Type: Consent
  • Action: Approved
  • Vote: Unanimous (5-0)

Item 2: Resolution 2024-81 — Cypress Bluff Phase 1 Final Plat

  • Type: Final Plat
  • Case Number: Resolution 2024-81
  • Location: East of Villa City Road, south of Lake Emma Road, north of State Road 50, west of State Road 19
  • Request: Final plat approval for Cypress Bluff Phase 1
  • Action: Approved
  • Vote: Unanimous (5-0)

Item 3: Resolution 2024-58 — Avilla Variance (Old Business)

  • Type: Variance
  • Case Number: Resolution 2024-58
  • Request: Variance from Community Development Code to allow certain residential units to be constructed at less than 24 inches above grade as required
  • Staff Recommendation: Denial
  • Action: Approved with condition
  • Vote: 4-1 (Shylkofski, Decker, Proper, Lambert aye; Hoover nay)
  • Conditions: 44 of the 196 build-to-rent (BTR) homes must meet the 24-inch above grade requirement
  • Notable Discussion: This item was tabled from the June meeting. Board Member Decker arrived at 4:00 PM; Vice Chair Proper paused the meeting to allow Decker to review the presentation. The compromise condition requires approximately 22% of homes to meet the full grade requirement while granting relief to the remaining 78%.

Item 4: Ordinance 2024-11 — Hub Steel Expansion Rezoning (Heavy Industrial) (Old Business)

  • Type: Rezoning
  • Case Number: Ordinance 2024-11
  • Location: Republic Drive, south of US Highway 27, east of Villa City Road, west of State Road 19
  • Applicant: Treetops MLS9AC, LLC
  • Request: Rezone from Lake County Industrial to City of Groveland Heavy Industrial
  • Current Zoning: Lake County Industrial
  • Proposed Zoning: Heavy Industrial
  • Action: Approved (recommended to City Council)
  • Vote: Unanimous (5-0)
  • Notable Discussion: Previously tabled in June. The board approved Heavy Industrial zoning on this second review.

Item 5: Presentation — Agrarian Code Update

  • Type: Presentation
  • Presenter: Hannah Forbes, Planner I
  • Notable Discussion:
    • Vice Chair Proper wants to maximize gardening/farming opportunities and allow more personal farming
    • Proper inquired who would maintain standards and suggested an 80% neighbor approval requirement
    • Board proposed clarification on code update provisions

Public Hearings Summary

  • Number of speakers: 1
  • General sentiment: Neutral
  • Key concerns:
    • A gentleman shared about opening a yoga studio in Groveland

Key Signals

  • Avilla BTR variance approved despite staff denial — 196 build-to-rent homes: The board overrode staff's recommendation to deny the grade variance for the Avilla project, approving it with a compromise condition (44 of 196 homes must meet full 24-inch grade). This is a significant signal: Groveland is accommodating build-to-rent development despite stormwater concerns. BTR is a growing housing product in Central Florida, and this variance sets a precedent.
  • Hub Steel Heavy Industrial approved on second review: After tabling in June, the board approved Heavy Industrial zoning for the Treetops/Hub Steel property. Groveland is accepting heavier industrial uses in the US-27/Villa City Road corridor, distinguishing this area from the residential growth zones to the east.
  • Cypress Bluff Phase 1 final plat advancing: This project near Villa City Road/SR 50/SR 19 is moving from plat approval to construction, adding more residential units to the western Groveland growth area.
  • Agrarian Code remains a live discussion — neighbor approval concept emerging: Vice Chair Proper's suggestion of an 80% neighbor approval requirement for agricultural uses is noteworthy. This could create a community-consent mechanism for farming activities in residential areas, reinforcing Groveland's eco-agrarian identity.
  • Meeting time instability: This meeting started at 3:18 PM, the June meeting at 12:04 PM, while most meetings are at 5:00 PM. The board discussed establishing noon as the preferred time. Inconsistent scheduling can affect public participation.

Raw Notes

  • Meeting recess at 3:49 PM, reconvened at 3:55 PM.
  • Board Member Stephen Shylkofski excused himself at 5:20 PM; meeting retained quorum.
  • Tim Maslow offered an Agrarian Code Update workshop to be scheduled within the next month outside the regular meeting.
  • DeWayne Jones expressed that a 12-noon meeting time is preferred. Vice Chair Proper noted board members are not receiving updated calendar invites; this will be an agenda item for September.
  • Board Member Decker arrived late at 4:00 PM.
  • Meeting adjourned at 5:43 PM.