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

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

· **Silver Springs 337-acre project on hold — but not dead:** The withdrawal of both Silver Springs cases (337 acres from agriculture to estate residential) signals a large development that encountered early community resistance. The applicant plans to redesign and hold community meetings before returning. This is a significant land area west of No. 2 Road. · **Athletic field disputes reveal residential-institutional tensions:** The First Academy case required two motions and exposed sharp divisions over fence height (8-foot vs 6-foot). The 5-2 failure of the first motion shows commissioners weighing neighbor protections carefully. Dark Sky lighting requirements being added to PUDs signals the Commission's growing sensitivity to light pollution. · **Three commissioner terms expiring:** Bowersox (Sep 30, 2024), Marshall (Sep 30, 2024), and Sanders (Dec 31, 2024) all face term expirations. Reappointment decisions by City Commission could shift the board's composition and posture toward development. · **Shore Acres Landing postponement adds to development pipeline uncertainty:** A 14.16-acre residential PUD postponed, joining Silver Springs in the queue — significant development proposals are accumulating rather than moving forward.

Meeting Reading

Leesburg Planning Commission

July 18, 2024

4 items on the agenda

**Silver Springs 337-acre project on hold — but not dead:** The withdrawal of both Silver Springs cases (337 acres from agriculture to estate residential) signals a large development that encountered early community resistance. The applicant plans to redesign and hold community meetings before returning. This is a significant land area west of No. 2 Road.
**Athletic field disputes reveal residential-institutional tensions:** The First Academy case required two motions and exposed sharp divisions over fence height (8-foot vs 6-foot). The 5-2 failure of the first motion shows commissioners weighing neighbor protections carefully. Dark Sky lighting requirements being added to PUDs signals the Commission's growing sensitivity to light pollution.
**Three commissioner terms expiring:** Bowersox (Sep 30, 2024), Marshall (Sep 30, 2024), and Sanders (Dec 31, 2024) all face term expirations. Reappointment decisions by City Commission could shift the board's composition and posture toward development.

On July 18, 2024, City of Leesburg's Planning Commission considered 4 agenda items. **Silver Springs 337-acre project on hold — but not dead:** The withdrawal of both Silver Springs cases (337 acres from agriculture to estate residential) signals a large development that encountered early community resistance. The applicant plans to redesign and hold community meetings before returning. This is a significant land area west of No. 2 Road. **Athletic field disputes reveal residential-institutional tensions:** The First Academy case required two motions and exposed sharp divisions over fence height (8-foot vs 6-foot). The 5-2 failure of the first motion shows commissioners weighing neighbor protections carefully. Dark Sky lighting requirements being added to PUDs signals the Commission's growing sensitivity to light pollution. **Three commissioner terms expiring:** Bowersox (Sep 30, 2024), Marshall (Sep 30, 2024), and Sanders (Dec 31, 2024) all face term expirations. Reappointment decisions by City Commission could shift the board's composition and posture toward development.

CHANGE LENS

THE READINGmeeting record

City of Leesburg Planning Commission — July 18, 2024

Meeting Overview

Type: Regular Meeting Quorum: Yes (7 of 9 members present) Duration: ~1 hour (4:30 PM - 5:30 PM)

Attendance

Present: Tim Sennett (Chairman), Nathaniel Sanders (Vice-Chairman), Ted Bowersox, John O'Kelley, Frazier Marshall, Stewart Kaplan, Darin Akkerman
Absent: Ze'Shieca Carter
Alternate Present: Ken Simeone (not seated; did not vote)
Staff Present: Dan Miller (Planning & Zoning Director), Kandi Harper (Deputy Director), Max Van Allen (Planner), Melissa Medders (Planner), Rob Hicks (Deputy City Manager), Jennifer Cotch (Attorney)

Agenda Items

Item 1: Silver Springs — Large Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment

Type: Comp Plan Amendment
Case Number: LSCP-24-39
Location: West of Number Two Road and north of Busby Road
Applicant: Silver Springs
Request: Change future land use of approximately 337 acres from Lake County Rural to City of Leesburg Estate Residential.
Current Zoning: Lake County Rural (FLU)
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg Estate Residential (FLU)
Acreage: 337
Staff Recommendation: N/A (withdrawn before hearing)
Action: Withdrawn by applicant
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Applicant withdrew to redesign site plan and hold community meeting with area citizens. Intention to return at a later date.

Item 2: Silver Springs — Planned Unit Development

Type: PUD
Case Number: PUD-24-40
Location: West of Number Two Road and north of Busby Road
Applicant: Silver Springs
Request: Rezone approximately 337 acres from Lake County Agriculture and CFD to City of Leesburg PUD.
Current Zoning: Lake County A (Agriculture) and CFD (Community Facility District)
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg PUD
Acreage: 337
Staff Recommendation: N/A (withdrawn before hearing)
Action: Withdrawn by applicant
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Companion case to LSCP-24-39. Both withdrawn simultaneously.

Item 3: First Academy Athletic Fields Minor Modification — Planned Unit Development

Type: PUD (Minor Modification)
Case Number: PUD-24-123
Location: East of US Highway 27 and south of Windsong Oak Drive
Applicant: First Academy (church)
Request: Modify existing PUD on 39.59 acres to allow re-orientation of athletic fields (football and softball) in the center of the property. Redirect lighting and noise away from residential uses.
Current Zoning: City PUD (approved 2011)
Proposed Zoning: City PUD (modified)
Acreage: 39.59
Staff Recommendation: Approve with conditions (Dark Sky lighting, 25-foot landscape buffer, 6-foot solid fence on northern property line, limited hours of operation)
Action: Approved (on second motion)
Vote: 6-1 (Kaplan opposed)
Conditions: (1) 6-foot solid fence on northern property line; (2) extending fence on northeastern property line south as allowed by wetlands; (3) re-positioning softball field backstop to southeasterly direction away from residential; (4) increased canopy trees in 25-foot landscape buffer on northern property line inside fence
Notable Discussion: Football field already approved and could be built as-is; this was about re-orienting from north-south to east-west. Two public responses positive, six negative (noise, light pollution, privacy). First motion for 8-foot fence failed 5-2. Second motion with 6-foot fence passed 6-1. Homeowners association president spoke to resident concerns. Discussion about shared access between Windsong residents and the church, FDOT jurisdiction over US-27 right-of-way, and interconnectivity requirements.

Item 4: Shore Acres Landing — Planned Unit Development

Type: PUD
Case Number: PUD-24-126
Location: East and south of Shore Acres Dr, west of Weston Rd, north of Goss Ave
Applicant: Shore Acres Landing
Request: Rezone 14.16 acres from R-1-A (Single Family Residential) to PUD.
Current Zoning: R-1-A (Single Family Residential)
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg PUD
Acreage: 14.16
Staff Recommendation: N/A (postponed before hearing)
Action: Postponed to September 19, 2024
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Postponed at applicant's request.

Public Hearings Summary

Number of speakers: Several (primarily on First Academy athletic fields case — 2 positive, 6 negative written responses)
General sentiment: Mixed; support for athletic field re-orientation but significant concern about residential impacts
Key concerns:
- Noise and light pollution from athletic fields (First Academy)
- Privacy impacts on adjacent Windsong residential development
- Shared access road between residential and church property

Key Signals

Silver Springs 337-acre project on hold — but not dead: The withdrawal of both Silver Springs cases (337 acres from agriculture to estate residential) signals a large development that encountered early community resistance. The applicant plans to redesign and hold community meetings before returning. This is a significant land area west of No. 2 Road.
Athletic field disputes reveal residential-institutional tensions: The First Academy case required two motions and exposed sharp divisions over fence height (8-foot vs 6-foot). The 5-2 failure of the first motion shows commissioners weighing neighbor protections carefully. Dark Sky lighting requirements being added to PUDs signals the Commission's growing sensitivity to light pollution.
Three commissioner terms expiring: Bowersox (Sep 30, 2024), Marshall (Sep 30, 2024), and Sanders (Dec 31, 2024) all face term expirations. Reappointment decisions by City Commission could shift the board's composition and posture toward development.
Shore Acres Landing postponement adds to development pipeline uncertainty: A 14.16-acre residential PUD postponed, joining Silver Springs in the queue — significant development proposals are accumulating rather than moving forward.

Raw Notes

Previous meeting minutes (June 20, 2024) approved 7-0.
Chairman Sennett noted Ski Beach snipe signs on city property along East Dixie Avenue right-of-way (political candidate advertising and hiring signs). Deputy City Manager Rob Hicks to review.
Alternate Commissioner Ken Simeone was present but not seated and did not vote.

[THE READING]meeting record