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

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

· **Lake Bright/Brighurst 208.5-acre denial — Commission pushes back on rural conversion:** The 6-1 denial (staff recommended approval) is a strong signal. Only Vice-Chairman Sanders supported the project. Residents with agricultural operations (cattle, hogs, chickens) organized effective opposition. The Commission sided with existing rural character over annexation and development, despite the developer's 48-month expiration clause and market-rate housing argument. This goes to City Commission with a denial recommendation. · **Self-storage continues unopposed on US-27 corridor:** Blue Ridge Storage (10 acres) sailed through 7-0. Self-storage is the least controversial commercial use on the US-27 corridor — no residential density, no traffic impact, no school concurrency issues. · **2045 Comprehensive Plan moving forward:** The citywide comp plan update was approved unanimously, setting the framework for all future land use decisions. This is the foundational document that will govern Leesburg's growth trajectory through 2045. · **Blount Birchmier postponement — staff needs more detail:** Staff initiated the postponement (31 acres from industrial to commercial), suggesting the application needed refinement. The CR 48/US-27 intersection area continues to attract development interest. · **Commissioner Carter emerging as growth skeptic:** Carter's statements about "responsible development" and developers creating charter schools signal a commissioner who will push back on projects she sees as burdening existing infrastructure.

Meeting Reading

Leesburg Planning Commission

August 22, 2024

7 items on the agenda

**Lake Bright/Brighurst 208.5-acre denial — Commission pushes back on rural conversion:** The 6-1 denial (staff recommended approval) is a strong signal. Only Vice-Chairman Sanders supported the project. Residents with agricultural operations (cattle, hogs, chickens) organized effective opposition. The Commission sided with existing rural character over annexation and development, despite the developer's 48-month expiration clause and market-rate housing argument. This goes to City Commission with a denial recommendation.
**Self-storage continues unopposed on US-27 corridor:** Blue Ridge Storage (10 acres) sailed through 7-0. Self-storage is the least controversial commercial use on the US-27 corridor — no residential density, no traffic impact, no school concurrency issues.
**2045 Comprehensive Plan moving forward:** The citywide comp plan update was approved unanimously, setting the framework for all future land use decisions. This is the foundational document that will govern Leesburg's growth trajectory through 2045.

On August 22, 2024, City of Leesburg's Planning Commission considered 7 agenda items. **Lake Bright/Brighurst 208.5-acre denial — Commission pushes back on rural conversion:** The 6-1 denial (staff recommended approval) is a strong signal. Only Vice-Chairman Sanders supported the project. Residents with agricultural operations (cattle, hogs, chickens) organized effective opposition. The Commission sided with existing rural character over annexation and development, despite the developer's 48-month expiration clause and market-rate housing argument. This goes to City Commission with a denial recommendation. **Self-storage continues unopposed on US-27 corridor:** Blue Ridge Storage (10 acres) sailed through 7-0. Self-storage is the least controversial commercial use on the US-27 corridor — no residential density, no traffic impact, no school concurrency issues. **2045 Comprehensive Plan moving forward:** The citywide comp plan update was approved unanimously, setting the framework for all future land use decisions. This is the foundational document that will govern Leesburg's growth trajectory through 2045.

CHANGE LENS

THE READINGmeeting record

City of Leesburg Planning Commission — August 22, 2024

Meeting Overview

Type: Regular Meeting Quorum: Yes (7 of 9 members present) Duration: ~2 hours 18 minutes (4:30 PM - 6:48 PM)

Attendance

Present: Tim Sennett (Chairman), Nathaniel Sanders (Vice-Chairman), Ted Bowersox, John O'Kelley, Frazier Marshall, Stewart Kaplan, Ze'Shieca Carter
Absent: Darin Akkerman
Alternate Present: Ken Simeone (not seated; did not vote; advised unavailable for September 19 meeting)
Staff Present: Dan Miller (Planning & Zoning Director), Kandi Harper (Deputy Director), Dianne Yekel (Senior Planner), Christine Rock (Senior Planner), Melissa Medders (Planner), Grant Watson (City Attorney)

Agenda Items

Item 1: Blue Ridge Storage — Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment

Type: Comp Plan Amendment
Case Number: SSCP-24-216
Location: West of US Highway 27 and north of El Presidente Boulevard
Applicant: Blue Ridge Storage
Request: Change future land use of 10.02 acres from Lake County Urban Low Density to City of Leesburg General Commercial for self-storage facility.
Current Zoning: Lake County Urban Low Density (FLU)
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg General Commercial (FLU)
Acreage: 10.02
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Storage facility on south US-27 corridor. No public questions or opposition. Three-story maximum, 35-foot height limit. No septic or well — must connect to city water and sewer. Lake County Public Works noted standard acceleration/deceleration lane requirements only.

Item 2: Blue Ridge Storage — Planned Unit Development

Type: PUD
Case Number: PUD-24-217
Location: West of US Highway 27 and north of El Presidente Boulevard
Applicant: Blue Ridge Storage
Request: Rezone 10.02 acres from Lake County PUD to City of Leesburg PUD for self-storage facility.
Current Zoning: Lake County PUD
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg PUD
Acreage: 10.02
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 7-0
Conditions: Building height 35-foot maximum with parapet allowance; existing chain link fence permitted to remain (due to 250-foot spatial buffer between residential and roadway)
Notable Discussion: Companion case to SSCP-24-216. Two minor applicant requests accepted: parapets to hide rooftop infrastructure, and chain link fence allowed due to significant spatial buffers.

Item 3: Blount Birchmier Leesburg LLC — Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment

Type: Comp Plan Amendment
Case Number: SSCP-24-221
Location: South of CR 48, west of US Highway 27, east of Haywood Worm Farm Rd
Applicant: Blount Birchmier Leesburg LLC
Request: Change future land use of approximately 31 acres from City of Leesburg Industrial to City of Leesburg General Commercial.
Current Zoning: City of Leesburg Industrial (FLU)
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg General Commercial (FLU)
Acreage: 31
Staff Recommendation: N/A (postponed before hearing)
Action: Postponed to September 19, 2024
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Staff asked applicant to postpone to meet and discuss development details. Applicant agreed.

Item 4: Blount Birchmier Leesburg LLC — Planned Unit Development

Type: PUD
Case Number: PUD-24-222
Location: South of CR 48, west of US Highway 27, east of Haywood Worm Farm Rd
Applicant: Blount Birchmier Leesburg LLC
Request: Rezone approximately 31 acres from City CIP (Commercial/Industrial Planned) to City PUD.
Current Zoning: City of Leesburg CIP (Commercial/Industrial Planned)
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg PUD
Acreage: 31
Staff Recommendation: N/A (postponed before hearing)
Action: Postponed to September 19, 2024
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Companion case to SSCP-24-221.

Item 5: Lake Bright/Brighurst — Large Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment

Type: Comp Plan Amendment
Case Number: LSCP-24-233
Location: East of County Road 33 and south of Lake Brite Street, and west of County Road 33 and south of Desert Lane
Applicant: Lake Bright/Brighurst (Hanover Homes, developer)
Request: Change future land use of approximately 208.5 acres from Lake County Rural to City of Leesburg Estate Residential for residential development.
Current Zoning: Lake County Rural (FLU) / Lake County Agriculture (zoning)
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg Estate Residential (FLU)
Acreage: 208.5
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Denied
Vote: 6-1 (Sanders voted Nay on denial, i.e., favored the project)
Notable Discussion: Major residential development with 50-foot lots. Initial approval motion by Sanders died for lack of second. Lake County Schools required school concurrency review and mitigation agreement. Lake County Public Works provided significant roadway improvement comments for CR 33. Public opposition strong: cattle/hog/chicken operations adjacent, privacy concerns, fence type disputes (residents wanted 10-foot concrete walls), property value fears, traffic safety (blind hill, speed, volume), pollution. Commissioner Marshall opposed lot sizes as too small. Commissioner Carter cited development as "too detrimental to the area." Developer (Ben Snyder, Hanover Homes) explained 50-foot lots keep home prices reasonable. PUD includes 48-month expiration clause. Traffic study 15-20% remaining capacity; final study pending.

Item 6: Lake Bright/Brighurst — Planned Unit Development

Type: PUD
Case Number: PUD-24-234
Location: East of County Road 33 and south of Lake Brite Street
Applicant: Lake Bright/Brighurst (Hanover Homes)
Request: Rezone approximately 208.5 acres from Lake County Agriculture to City of Leesburg PUD.
Current Zoning: Lake County A (Agriculture)
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg PUD
Acreage: 208.5
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Denied
Vote: 6-1 (Sanders voted Nay on denial)
Notable Discussion: Companion case to LSCP-24-233. Motion to deny made by Marshall, seconded by O'Kelley. Only Sanders supported the project. City attorney Watson clarified proper procedure for recommendation to City Commission.

Item 7: 2045 City of Leesburg Comprehensive Plan Update — Comprehensive Plan Text Amendment

Type: Comp Plan Text Amendment
Case Number: CPTA-24-230
Location: Citywide
Applicant: City of Leesburg
Request: Amend the entire Comprehensive Plan (Future Land Use, Transportation, Housing, Sanitary Sewer, Potable Water, Solid Waste, Drainage, Aquifer Recharge, Conservation, Recreation/Open Space, Intergovernmental Coordination, Capital Improvements, Aviation, Property Rights elements) and update Water Supply Facilities Work Plan.
Current Zoning: N/A (citywide policy)
Proposed Zoning: N/A (citywide policy)
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Major update to the city's comprehensive plan, updated for public review before submission to Florida Department of Commerce for state agency review. Consultant Calvin Giordano and Associates (CGA) representatives Luis Serna and Alyssa Livingstone presented. Discussion of population counts.

Public Hearings Summary

Number of speakers: Multiple (primarily on Lake Bright/Brighurst — substantial public opposition with handouts)
General sentiment: Storage facility unopposed; Brighurst development drew significant organized opposition
Key concerns:
- Lot sizes too small for rural character area (Lake Bright/Brighurst)
- Impact on cattle operations and agricultural uses adjacent to development
- Traffic safety on County Road 33 (blind hill, speed, volume)
- Fencing adequacy — residents demanded concrete walls, developer proposed split-rail with vegetative buffer
- Property values, noise, pollution

Key Signals

Lake Bright/Brighurst 208.5-acre denial — Commission pushes back on rural conversion: The 6-1 denial (staff recommended approval) is a strong signal. Only Vice-Chairman Sanders supported the project. Residents with agricultural operations (cattle, hogs, chickens) organized effective opposition. The Commission sided with existing rural character over annexation and development, despite the developer's 48-month expiration clause and market-rate housing argument. This goes to City Commission with a denial recommendation.
Self-storage continues unopposed on US-27 corridor: Blue Ridge Storage (10 acres) sailed through 7-0. Self-storage is the least controversial commercial use on the US-27 corridor — no residential density, no traffic impact, no school concurrency issues.
2045 Comprehensive Plan moving forward: The citywide comp plan update was approved unanimously, setting the framework for all future land use decisions. This is the foundational document that will govern Leesburg's growth trajectory through 2045.
Blount Birchmier postponement — staff needs more detail: Staff initiated the postponement (31 acres from industrial to commercial), suggesting the application needed refinement. The CR 48/US-27 intersection area continues to attract development interest.
Commissioner Carter emerging as growth skeptic: Carter's statements about "responsible development" and developers creating charter schools signal a commissioner who will push back on projects she sees as burdening existing infrastructure.

Raw Notes

Commissioner Carter abstained from July 18 minutes vote (was not present at that meeting). Minutes approved 6-0.
Alternate Ken Simeone advised he would be unavailable for the September 19 meeting.
City attorney was Grant Watson at this meeting (not Jennifer Cotch as in some other meetings).

[THE READING]meeting record