What were the most significant items on the Groveland Planning & Zoning Board agenda for May 2025?

Q: What were the most significant items on the Groveland Planning & Zoning Board agenda for May 2025?

· **Board leadership transition signals evolution:** Bob Proper stepped down as Chair; Zach Decker assumed chairmanship with Robin Hoover as new Vice Chair. Mike Archer elevated from alternate to permanent member. This reshuffling may shift board dynamics on upcoming code and development decisions. · **Natural gas expansion probing Groveland market:** Lake Apopka Natural Gas District presented energy choice options, though no new developments have opted in yet. The pipeline expansion (east-west, future west-east along SR 33 to US 27) could become a factor in development planning and homebuyer costs. · **Code Update V5 heading to final review:** Staff announced the code update will come to the next two P&Z meetings before going to City Council, indicating the multi-month code rewrite is nearing adoption — a significant regulatory shift for all future development. · **Palisades open space concerns surfacing:** Resident Allen Joyce urged the board to require Palisades development to keep 1 acre as green space, and Marty Proctor submitted formal P&Z questions for the record. Community members are actively monitoring specific development commitments. · **Community Development Budget Workshop signals fiscal attention:** Staff announced a budget workshop for May 5, reflecting the board's and community's growing focus on fiscal impacts of growth.

Meeting Reading

Groveland Planning & Zoning Board

May 1, 2025

4 items on the agenda

**Board leadership transition signals evolution:** Bob Proper stepped down as Chair; Zach Decker assumed chairmanship with Robin Hoover as new Vice Chair. Mike Archer elevated from alternate to permanent member. This reshuffling may shift board dynamics on upcoming code and development decisions.
**Natural gas expansion probing Groveland market:** Lake Apopka Natural Gas District presented energy choice options, though no new developments have opted in yet. The pipeline expansion (east-west, future west-east along SR 33 to US 27) could become a factor in development planning and homebuyer costs.
**Code Update V5 heading to final review:** Staff announced the code update will come to the next two P&Z meetings before going to City Council, indicating the multi-month code rewrite is nearing adoption — a significant regulatory shift for all future development.

On May 1, 2025, City of Groveland's Planning & Zoning Board considered 4 agenda items. **Board leadership transition signals evolution:** Bob Proper stepped down as Chair; Zach Decker assumed chairmanship with Robin Hoover as new Vice Chair. Mike Archer elevated from alternate to permanent member. This reshuffling may shift board dynamics on upcoming code and development decisions. **Natural gas expansion probing Groveland market:** Lake Apopka Natural Gas District presented energy choice options, though no new developments have opted in yet. The pipeline expansion (east-west, future west-east along SR 33 to US 27) could become a factor in development planning and homebuyer costs. **Code Update V5 heading to final review:** Staff announced the code update will come to the next two P&Z meetings before going to City Council, indicating the multi-month code rewrite is nearing adoption — a significant regulatory shift for all future development.

CHANGE LENS

THE READINGmeeting record

City of Groveland Planning & Zoning Board — May 1, 2025

Meeting Overview

Type: Regular Meeting Quorum: Yes (7 of 8 members present) Duration: Approximately 1 hour 34 minutes (5:02 PM - 6:36 PM)

Attendance

Present: Zach Decker (Chair), Robin Hoover, Kerry Lambert, Stephen Shylkofski, Alisha Kissee-Garcia, Lindsay Crum, Mike Archer
Absent: Bill Mathias
Staff Present: City Attorney Anita Geraci-Carver; Timothy Maslow, Community & Economic Development Department Director; DeWayne Jones, Planning and Zoning Manager; Alan Booker, Senior Planner; Maria Ramirez, Recording Secretary

Agenda Items

Item 1: Consent Agenda — Approval of February 6, 2025 and March 6, 2025 Minutes

Type: Consent
Action: Approved
Vote: Unanimous (7-0)

Item 2: Election of Chair and Vice Chair

Type: Board Organization
Action: Zach Decker confirmed as new Chair; Robin Hoover elected as new Vice Chair
Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
Notable Discussion: Mike Archer elevated from alternate to permanent board member. Former Chair Bob Proper no longer serving (not listed as absent member — leadership transition).

Item 3: Presentation — Energy Choice Initiative (Lake Apopka Natural Gas District)

Type: Presentation
Presenter: Brent Haywood, GM & CEO, Lake Apopka Natural Gas District
Notable Discussion:
- 700+ homes in Groveland currently have natural gas, including several in downtown
- Cost approximately $3,000 per lot; differs between new and existing homes
- No new developments have opted for gas service yet
- Gas currently offered to new developments only; not extended to existing developments with HOA restrictions
- Available grants are commercial and replacement focused, not residential rural development
- Pipeline direction: east to west, future west to east (SR 33 to US 27), around Kelly Park from the north
- Cost sharing comes from revenue
- Developer passes some balance to homeowner

Item 4: Ordinance 2025-2 — 133 Phelps Street ROW Vacation

Type: Right-of-Way Vacation
Case Number: Ordinance 2025-2
Location: Portion of Lake Avenue between Lot 2, Block 42 and Lot 7, Block 41, Plat of Taylorville (Plat Book 2, Page 7, Lake County public records)
Request: Vacate a portion of Lake Avenue right-of-way as shown on the Plat of Taylorville
Action: Approved (recommended to City Council)
Vote: Unanimous (7-0)
Notable Discussion: Public comment from Marty Proctor asked where the split would occur; staff confirmed it will be done on both sides. Nancy expressed traffic concerns.

Public Hearings Summary

Number of speakers: 2
General sentiment: Mixed — procedural questions and traffic concerns
Key concerns:
- Location of property split for ROW vacation
- Traffic impacts

Key Signals

Board leadership transition signals evolution: Bob Proper stepped down as Chair; Zach Decker assumed chairmanship with Robin Hoover as new Vice Chair. Mike Archer elevated from alternate to permanent member. This reshuffling may shift board dynamics on upcoming code and development decisions.
Natural gas expansion probing Groveland market: Lake Apopka Natural Gas District presented energy choice options, though no new developments have opted in yet. The pipeline expansion (east-west, future west-east along SR 33 to US 27) could become a factor in development planning and homebuyer costs.
Code Update V5 heading to final review: Staff announced the code update will come to the next two P&Z meetings before going to City Council, indicating the multi-month code rewrite is nearing adoption — a significant regulatory shift for all future development.
Palisades open space concerns surfacing: Resident Allen Joyce urged the board to require Palisades development to keep 1 acre as green space, and Marty Proctor submitted formal P&Z questions for the record. Community members are actively monitoring specific development commitments.
Community Development Budget Workshop signals fiscal attention: Staff announced a budget workshop for May 5, reflecting the board's and community's growing focus on fiscal impacts of growth.

Raw Notes

Alan Booker introduced as new Senior Planner for Planning and Zoning Division.
Board Member Decker asked about scheduling a workshop.
Board Member Shylkofski asked staff for new statutes; director said he would discuss with city attorney.
Board Member Lambert asked if Lake Apopka Natural Gas District presentation would go to City Council; staff indicated it would return to P&Z, possibly as a workshop.
Marty Proctor submitted written P&Z questions to be included in the minutes (referenced as attachment).

[THE READING]meeting record