What were the most significant items on the Leesburg Planning Commission agenda for June 2025?

Q: What were the most significant items on the Leesburg Planning Commission agenda for June 2025?

· **Corporate campus model — live/work/train on 90 acres:** Kalos represents a distinctive development type for Leesburg: a major employer (300+ workers) building a self-contained campus with workforce housing, training facilities, and support services (daycare, community building) near the US-27/Turnpike interchange. This is economic development, not just land use. · **Turnpike corridor emerging as employment hub:** Back-to-back meetings approving large-acreage projects at the US-27/Turnpike interchange (Dilly Lake in May, Kalos in June). This area is transitioning from agricultural/vacant to mixed employment/residential. · **Shortest meeting in months signals alignment:** Under 30 minutes with two major cases approved 7-0 and zero public opposition. When projects clearly bring economic value (jobs, training, corporate headquarters), the Commission moves quickly. · **Height flexibility for quality architecture:** The 42-foot height approval (above standard) in exchange for quality architectural facades sets a precedent — the Commission will grant variances when design quality justifies them.

Meeting Reading

Leesburg Planning Commission

June 19, 2025

3 items on the agenda

**Corporate campus model — live/work/train on 90 acres:** Kalos represents a distinctive development type for Leesburg: a major employer (300+ workers) building a self-contained campus with workforce housing, training facilities, and support services (daycare, community building) near the US-27/Turnpike interchange. This is economic development, not just land use.
**Turnpike corridor emerging as employment hub:** Back-to-back meetings approving large-acreage projects at the US-27/Turnpike interchange (Dilly Lake in May, Kalos in June). This area is transitioning from agricultural/vacant to mixed employment/residential.
**Shortest meeting in months signals alignment:** Under 30 minutes with two major cases approved 7-0 and zero public opposition. When projects clearly bring economic value (jobs, training, corporate headquarters), the Commission moves quickly.

On June 19, 2025, City of Leesburg's Planning Commission considered 3 agenda items. **Corporate campus model — live/work/train on 90 acres:** Kalos represents a distinctive development type for Leesburg: a major employer (300+ workers) building a self-contained campus with workforce housing, training facilities, and support services (daycare, community building) near the US-27/Turnpike interchange. This is economic development, not just land use. **Turnpike corridor emerging as employment hub:** Back-to-back meetings approving large-acreage projects at the US-27/Turnpike interchange (Dilly Lake in May, Kalos in June). This area is transitioning from agricultural/vacant to mixed employment/residential. **Shortest meeting in months signals alignment:** Under 30 minutes with two major cases approved 7-0 and zero public opposition. When projects clearly bring economic value (jobs, training, corporate headquarters), the Commission moves quickly.

CHANGE LENS

THE READINGmeeting record

City of Leesburg Planning Commission — June 19, 2025

Meeting Overview

Type: Regular Meeting Quorum: Yes (7 of 9 members present) Duration: ~29 minutes (4:31 PM - 4:59 PM)

Attendance

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

Agenda Items

Item 1: Kalos — Large Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment

Type: Comp Plan Amendment
Case Number: LSCP-25-568
Location: West of US Highway 27 and south of Florida Turnpike
Applicant: Kalos (represented by Darcy Unroe, Unroe Engineering)
Request: Change future land use of 90.28 acres from Lake County Regional Office to City General Commercial for a corporate campus with workforce housing.
Current Zoning: Lake County Regional Office (FLU)
Proposed Zoning: City General Commercial (FLU)
Acreage: 90.28
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Kalos is a mechanical/electrical/plumbing contractor currently employing 300 people. Campus will include headquarters, training center, and 32 on-site apartment units for employees. Lots of open space exceeding code requirements. Commissioners praised layout and commended the concept of employees living on-site. Motion included provisions for daycare, community building, and 42-foot building height (above standard).

Item 2: Kalos — Planned Unit Development

Type: PUD
Case Number: PUD-25-569
Location: West of US Highway 27 and south of Florida Turnpike
Applicant: Kalos (Darcy Unroe, Unroe Engineering)
Request: Rezone 90.28 acres from Lake County Agriculture to City of Leesburg PUD for corporate campus with training center, headquarters, and 32 workforce housing units.
Current Zoning: Lake County A (Agriculture)
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg PUD
Acreage: 90.28
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 7-0
Conditions: Provisions for daycare, community building, and 42-foot total building height
Notable Discussion: Companion case to LSCP-25-568. Staff comfortable with 42-foot height request based on architectural facades presented.

Item 3: Vista Avenue PDO — Planned Development Overlay

Type: PUD
Case Number: PUD-25-586
Location: West of Vista Avenue and north of US Highway 441
Applicant: Not specified
Request: Planned development overlay for one duplex unit on 0.48 acres in existing C-3 (Highway Commercial) district.
Current Zoning: C-3 (Highway Commercial)
Acreage: 0.48
Staff Recommendation: Postpone (advertisement error)
Action: Postponed to July 31, 2025
Vote: 7-0

Public Hearings Summary

Number of speakers: 0 (no public speakers)
General sentiment: No public opposition on any item
Key concerns: None raised

Key Signals

Corporate campus model — live/work/train on 90 acres: Kalos represents a distinctive development type for Leesburg: a major employer (300+ workers) building a self-contained campus with workforce housing, training facilities, and support services (daycare, community building) near the US-27/Turnpike interchange. This is economic development, not just land use.
Turnpike corridor emerging as employment hub: Back-to-back meetings approving large-acreage projects at the US-27/Turnpike interchange (Dilly Lake in May, Kalos in June). This area is transitioning from agricultural/vacant to mixed employment/residential.
Shortest meeting in months signals alignment: Under 30 minutes with two major cases approved 7-0 and zero public opposition. When projects clearly bring economic value (jobs, training, corporate headquarters), the Commission moves quickly.
Height flexibility for quality architecture: The 42-foot height approval (above standard) in exchange for quality architectural facades sets a precedent — the Commission will grant variances when design quality justifies them.

Raw Notes

Three board members have three-year terms expiring September 30, 2025; encouraged to reapply.
Vice-Chairman Sanders announced Farm Share food distribution event on June 21, 2025 at City of Leesburg Resource Center through his Fraternal Inc. organization.
Vista Avenue PDO postponed due to advertisement error; will return July 31.

[THE READING]meeting record