What were the most significant items on the Leesburg Planning Commission agenda for April 2024?

Q: What were the most significant items on the Leesburg Planning Commission agenda for April 2024?

· **Social services finding homes in industrial zones:** The Carver Drive CUP for a daycare/respite/educational facility in an M-1 industrial zone was unanimously approved. The Commission's approach — approve with industrial notice conditions — shows pragmatic flexibility in allowing compatible non-industrial uses in underutilized industrial areas. This pattern (industrial-to-community-service) is emerging alongside the industrial flex space trend. · **Four major cases postponed — staff gatekeeping on traffic analysis:** The Thomas-Montclair and Poe Street cases (combined ~51 acres) were all postponed at staff request for additional traffic analysis. This follows the Denham Village denial and signals that staff is now proactively demanding traffic studies before cases reach the Commission, preventing a repeat of the traffic-driven denial. · **Small-scale annexation and rezoning continuing steadily:** Griffin Road Salon (0.434 acres) represents the ongoing pattern of small Lake County properties being annexed and rezoned into Leesburg. These micro-annexations accumulate and expand the city's service area incrementally. · **Lee School demolition proceeding — apartments incoming:** Discussion item revealed Historic Board voted in March to allow demolition with no conditions. The 120-day demolition window is running. Commission members debating building placement, parking, and impact on adjacent historic church. Commissioner Bowersox called 4-5 story apartments a "not a Planning win." Staff suggesting design compromises (setbacks near church, interior parking). This project will likely be contentious when it comes before the Commission. · **Comprehensive Plan presentation to City Commission upcoming:** Staff planned a May 13 presentation to City Commission on what the Comprehensive Plan is and how it works — suggesting the broader Commission/public education effort is advancing alongside the plan update.

Meeting Reading

Leesburg Planning Commission

April 18, 2024

7 items on the agenda

**Social services finding homes in industrial zones:** The Carver Drive CUP for a daycare/respite/educational facility in an M-1 industrial zone was unanimously approved. The Commission's approach — approve with industrial notice conditions — shows pragmatic flexibility in allowing compatible non-industrial uses in underutilized industrial areas. This pattern (industrial-to-community-service) is emerging alongside the industrial flex space trend.
**Four major cases postponed — staff gatekeeping on traffic analysis:** The Thomas-Montclair and Poe Street cases (combined ~51 acres) were all postponed at staff request for additional traffic analysis. This follows the Denham Village denial and signals that staff is now proactively demanding traffic studies before cases reach the Commission, preventing a repeat of the traffic-driven denial.
**Small-scale annexation and rezoning continuing steadily:** Griffin Road Salon (0.434 acres) represents the ongoing pattern of small Lake County properties being annexed and rezoned into Leesburg. These micro-annexations accumulate and expand the city's service area incrementally.

On April 18, 2024, City of Leesburg's Planning Commission considered 7 agenda items. **Social services finding homes in industrial zones:** The Carver Drive CUP for a daycare/respite/educational facility in an M-1 industrial zone was unanimously approved. The Commission's approach — approve with industrial notice conditions — shows pragmatic flexibility in allowing compatible non-industrial uses in underutilized industrial areas. This pattern (industrial-to-community-service) is emerging alongside the industrial flex space trend. **Four major cases postponed — staff gatekeeping on traffic analysis:** The Thomas-Montclair and Poe Street cases (combined ~51 acres) were all postponed at staff request for additional traffic analysis. This follows the Denham Village denial and signals that staff is now proactively demanding traffic studies before cases reach the Commission, preventing a repeat of the traffic-driven denial. **Small-scale annexation and rezoning continuing steadily:** Griffin Road Salon (0.434 acres) represents the ongoing pattern of small Lake County properties being annexed and rezoned into Leesburg. These micro-annexations accumulate and expand the city's service area incrementally.

CHANGE LENS

THE READINGmeeting record

City of Leesburg Planning Commission — April 18, 2024

Meeting Overview

Type: Regular Meeting Quorum: Yes (7 of 9 members present) Duration: ~48 minutes (4:30 PM - 5:18 PM)

Attendance

Present: Tim Sennett (Chairman), Nathaniel Sanders (Vice-Chairman), Ted Bowersox, Frazier Marshall, John O'Kelley, Stewart Kaplan, Ken Simeone
Absent: Ze'Shieca Carter, Darin Akkerman
Staff Present: Dan Miller (Planning & Zoning Director), Sabrina Mitchell (Executive Assistant I), Kandi Harper (Deputy Director), Christine Rock (Senior Planner), Melissa Medders (Planner), Jennifer Cotch (City Attorney)

Agenda Items

Item 1: Carver Drive #1 Project — Conditional Use Permit

Type: CUP
Case Number: CUP-24-35
Location: North of Carver Drive and east of Thomas Avenue
Applicant: Lynn Dudley (2106 Butler Street, Leesburg)
Request: CUP for daycare, respite care, educational facility, and office use in the Industrial FLU district on 0.75 acres.
Current Zoning: M-1 (Industrial)
Proposed Zoning: M-1 (no change, CUP adds uses)
Acreage: 0.75
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved (with conditions)
Vote: 7-0 (voted twice — first to approve, then to add conditions)
Conditions: Added notice requirement that property is located in an industrial area with possible industrial uses; added "office" as a permitted use.
Notable Discussion: Non-profit agency operating for 24+ years providing services for individuals with unique abilities, operating 5 group homes. Partnership with foster agencies for overflow of neglected/abused children. Provides respite care (day/night), virtual school for children not enrolled, job training, after-school programs, parenting classes, art, and music. Second floor for housing children up to age 17, including newborns from hospital. Commission added industrial notice condition to protect future occupants. Staff characterized the project positively and had worked with the applicant on multiple projects.

Item 2: Griffin Road Salon — Small Scale Comp Plan Amendment

Type: Comp Plan Amendment
Case Number: SSCP-24-67
Location: South of Griffin Road and east of County Road 468
Applicant: (absent due to health issues; staff represented)
Request: Change future land use of 0.434 acres from Lake County Urban High Density to City of Leesburg General Commercial for salon/medical/office uses.
Current Zoning: Lake County Urban High Density (FLU)
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg General Commercial (FLU)
Acreage: 0.434
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Multiple uses added to avoid applicant needing to return for each use change. Medical use discussed — any change of use triggers building code review. Companion case with SPUD-24-68.

Item 3: Griffin Road Salon — Small Planned Unit Development

Type: SPUD
Case Number: SPUD-24-68
Location: South of Griffin Road and east of County Road 468
Applicant: (absent due to health issues)
Request: Rezone 0.434 acres from Lake County RP (Residential Professional) to City of Leesburg SPUD for salon/commercial uses.
Current Zoning: Lake County RP (Residential Professional)
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg SPUD
Acreage: 0.434
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Companion case to SSCP-24-67.

Item 4: Thomas-Montclair Industrial Flex — Small Scale Comp Plan Amendment

Type: Comp Plan Amendment
Case Number: SSCP-24-73
Location: Southwest of Montclair Road and west of Thomas Avenue
Acreage: 2.33
Staff Recommendation: (not heard)
Action: Postponed to May 23, 2024
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Staff requesting postponement for additional information and traffic analysis.

Item 5: Thomas-Montclair Industrial Flex — Small Planned Unit Development

Type: SPUD
Case Number: SPUD-24-74
Location: Southwest of Montclair Road and west of Thomas Avenue
Acreage: 2.33
Staff Recommendation: (not heard)
Action: Postponed to May 23, 2024
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Companion case to SSCP-24-73.

Item 6: Poe Street Residential — Small Scale Comp Plan Amendment

Type: Comp Plan Amendment
Case Number: SSCP-24-87
Location: North of Poe Street and south of County Road 473
Acreage: 49.12
Staff Recommendation: (not heard)
Action: Postponed to May 23, 2024
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Postponed for additional information and traffic analysis.

Item 7: Poe Street Residential — Planned Unit Development

Type: PUD
Case Number: PUD-24-88
Location: North of Poe Street and south of County Road 473
Acreage: 49.12
Staff Recommendation: (not heard)
Action: Postponed to May 23, 2024
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Companion case to SSCP-24-87.

Public Hearings Summary

Number of speakers: 1 (Lynn Dudley on Carver Drive project)
General sentiment: Supportive — applicant's 24-year track record resonated
Key concerns:
- Industrial area notice for children's facility occupants
- No opposition expressed at any hearing

Key Signals

Social services finding homes in industrial zones: The Carver Drive CUP for a daycare/respite/educational facility in an M-1 industrial zone was unanimously approved. The Commission's approach — approve with industrial notice conditions — shows pragmatic flexibility in allowing compatible non-industrial uses in underutilized industrial areas. This pattern (industrial-to-community-service) is emerging alongside the industrial flex space trend.
Four major cases postponed — staff gatekeeping on traffic analysis: The Thomas-Montclair and Poe Street cases (combined ~51 acres) were all postponed at staff request for additional traffic analysis. This follows the Denham Village denial and signals that staff is now proactively demanding traffic studies before cases reach the Commission, preventing a repeat of the traffic-driven denial.
Small-scale annexation and rezoning continuing steadily: Griffin Road Salon (0.434 acres) represents the ongoing pattern of small Lake County properties being annexed and rezoned into Leesburg. These micro-annexations accumulate and expand the city's service area incrementally.
Lee School demolition proceeding — apartments incoming: Discussion item revealed Historic Board voted in March to allow demolition with no conditions. The 120-day demolition window is running. Commission members debating building placement, parking, and impact on adjacent historic church. Commissioner Bowersox called 4-5 story apartments a "not a Planning win." Staff suggesting design compromises (setbacks near church, interior parking). This project will likely be contentious when it comes before the Commission.
Comprehensive Plan presentation to City Commission upcoming: Staff planned a May 13 presentation to City Commission on what the Comprehensive Plan is and how it works — suggesting the broader Commission/public education effort is advancing alongside the plan update.

Raw Notes

March 21, 2024 minutes approved 6-0.
Dan Miller noted that applicants for Thomas-Montclair and Poe Street understand the postponement and support the additional review.
Lee School update: Code Enforcement gave owner 120 days for building demolition. Fence to be placed around building. Church congregation complained about lost parking spaces. Historic Board allowed demo in March with no conditions.
Commissioner Bowersox asked about Lee School; concerned about 4-5 story apartment impact.
Chairman Sennett wants Dan Miller to relay design recommendations to the developer regarding building placement and parking.

[THE READING]meeting record