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

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

· **Lakefront revitalization — RV park to 278 apartments:** The unanimous approval of Leesburg Lake Front (replacing 250 RV sites with 278 market-rate apartments plus commercial) signals the Commission's comfort with multi-family when it replaces less desirable uses and includes quality amenities. The applicant's framing as "want to live here, not have to live there" resonated. The 441 corridor near Lake Harris is being repositioned. · **Flex space/commercial filling in US-27 corridor:** Legacy Commerce (7.3 acres of flex space) approved unanimously. Small-scale commercial/industrial flex space is the path of least resistance through the Planning Commission — it creates jobs without residential density concerns. · **Dominium postponement signals complexity ahead:** The Dominium Apartments (18.71 acres) postponed at staff request — a significant apartment project on US-27 that will test whether the Commission's receptivity to Leesburg Lake Front extends to other multi-family proposals. · **Commission at full strength with Akkerman attending:** First meeting with Darin Akkerman present in the 2025 series, bringing the board to 7 of 9. His vote was "yes" on all items, suggesting a pragmatic leaning. · **Possible shift to Magistrate system discussed:** Dan Miller announced that Lake 100 (economic development group) may recommend the City move to a Magistrate form instead of Planning Commission. This could fundamentally change how development decisions are made in Leesburg. Commission members expressed concern. Chairman Sennett disclosed he is a member of Lake 100.

Meeting Reading

Leesburg Planning Commission

September 18, 2025

5 items on the agenda

**Lakefront revitalization — RV park to 278 apartments:** The unanimous approval of Leesburg Lake Front (replacing 250 RV sites with 278 market-rate apartments plus commercial) signals the Commission's comfort with multi-family when it replaces less desirable uses and includes quality amenities. The applicant's framing as "want to live here, not have to live there" resonated. The 441 corridor near Lake Harris is being repositioned.
**Flex space/commercial filling in US-27 corridor:** Legacy Commerce (7.3 acres of flex space) approved unanimously. Small-scale commercial/industrial flex space is the path of least resistance through the Planning Commission — it creates jobs without residential density concerns.
**Dominium postponement signals complexity ahead:** The Dominium Apartments (18.71 acres) postponed at staff request — a significant apartment project on US-27 that will test whether the Commission's receptivity to Leesburg Lake Front extends to other multi-family proposals.

On September 18, 2025, City of Leesburg's Planning Commission considered 5 agenda items. **Lakefront revitalization — RV park to 278 apartments:** The unanimous approval of Leesburg Lake Front (replacing 250 RV sites with 278 market-rate apartments plus commercial) signals the Commission's comfort with multi-family when it replaces less desirable uses and includes quality amenities. The applicant's framing as "want to live here, not have to live there" resonated. The 441 corridor near Lake Harris is being repositioned. **Flex space/commercial filling in US-27 corridor:** Legacy Commerce (7.3 acres of flex space) approved unanimously. Small-scale commercial/industrial flex space is the path of least resistance through the Planning Commission — it creates jobs without residential density concerns. **Dominium postponement signals complexity ahead:** The Dominium Apartments (18.71 acres) postponed at staff request — a significant apartment project on US-27 that will test whether the Commission's receptivity to Leesburg Lake Front extends to other multi-family proposals.

CHANGE LENS

THE READINGmeeting record

City of Leesburg Planning Commission — September 18, 2025

Meeting Overview

Type: Regular Meeting Quorum: Yes (7 of 9 members present) Duration: ~1 hour 1 minute (4:30 PM - 5:31 PM)

Attendance

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

Agenda Items

Item 1: Leesburg Lake Front — Planned Unit Development

Type: PUD
Case Number: PUD-25-687
Location: North of US Highway 441 and east of Pemble Road
Applicant: LPG (Michael Rankin, owner)
Request: Rezone 20.36 acres from City PUD and C-3 to City PUD for 278 multi-family units (apartments and townhouses) with 12,000 sq ft commercial and lakefront amenities.
Current Zoning: City PUD (previously approved as RV/campground) and C-3 (Highway Commercial)
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg PUD
Acreage: 20.36
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 7-0
Conditions: Added "townhouses" to permitted uses
Notable Discussion: Replaces previously approved RV resort (250 sites). 278 units across 5 buildings plus 2 smaller townhome buildings. 580 parking spaces (2.08 per unit). 12,000 sq ft commercial in 3 buildings including eatery. Lakefront location with potential marina component. Market-rate development — "want to build something people want to live at, not have to live at." 4-story buildings not to exceed 48 feet. Core sampling already done for building footprints. One public speaker from adjacent Brittany Estates with concerns about noise, traffic, and property values. Applicant committed to HOA noise policies, traffic study requirement, and maintaining connection to lake uses. Staff saw this as significant upgrade from RV park use.

Item 2: Legacy Commerce — Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment

Type: Comp Plan Amendment
Case Number: SSCP-25-644
Location: West of US Highway 27 and north of University Avenue
Applicant: Legacy Commerce (represented by J.B. Bricklemyer, Attorney)
Request: Change future land use of 7.3 acres from Lake County Urban Low Density to City of Leesburg General Commercial for flex space/commercial development.
Current Zoning: Lake County Urban Low Density (FLU)
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg General Commercial (FLU)
Acreage: 7.3
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 7-0
Notable Discussion: Flex space units for variety of trades — offices, vehicle storage, commercial vehicles. $3-4 million buildout. Added daycare, private school, and worship center as permitted uses given proximity to residential development. Front portion of property reserved for future restaurant/commercial development. No public opposition.

Item 3: Legacy Commerce — Small Planned Unit Development

Type: PUD
Case Number: SPUD-25-645
Location: West of US Highway 27 and north of University Avenue
Applicant: Legacy Commerce (J.B. Bricklemyer)
Request: Rezone 7.3 acres from Lake County Agriculture to City of Leesburg SPUD for flex space/commercial development.
Current Zoning: Lake County A (Agriculture)
Proposed Zoning: City of Leesburg SPUD
Acreage: 7.3
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 7-0
Conditions: Added worship center as permitted use
Notable Discussion: Companion case to SSCP-25-644.

Item 4: Dominium Apartments — Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment

Type: Comp Plan Amendment
Case Number: SSCP-25-1269
Location: West of US Highway 27 and north of Palm Drive
Applicant: Dominium
Request: Change future land use of 18.71 acres from City General Commercial and Low Density Residential to City General Commercial for apartment development.
Acreage: 18.71
Staff Recommendation: (not yet heard)
Action: Postponed to October 23, 2025
Vote: 7-0

Item 5: Dominium Apartments — Planned Unit Development

Type: PUD
Case Number: PUD-25-1270
Location: West of US Highway 27 and north of Palm Drive
Applicant: Dominium
Request: Rezone 18.71 acres from City PUD to City PUD for apartment development.
Acreage: 18.71
Staff Recommendation: (not yet heard)
Action: Postponed to October 23, 2025
Vote: 7-0

Public Hearings Summary

Number of speakers: 2 (one from Brittany Estates on Leesburg Lake Front; general low public turnout)
General sentiment: Mostly supportive; minor concerns on lakefront project
Key concerns:
- Noise and traffic from 278-unit development adjacent to Brittany Estates (Leesburg Lake Front)
- Property values near large apartment complexes
- Marina component and water access details

Key Signals

Lakefront revitalization — RV park to 278 apartments: The unanimous approval of Leesburg Lake Front (replacing 250 RV sites with 278 market-rate apartments plus commercial) signals the Commission's comfort with multi-family when it replaces less desirable uses and includes quality amenities. The applicant's framing as "want to live here, not have to live there" resonated. The 441 corridor near Lake Harris is being repositioned.
Flex space/commercial filling in US-27 corridor: Legacy Commerce (7.3 acres of flex space) approved unanimously. Small-scale commercial/industrial flex space is the path of least resistance through the Planning Commission — it creates jobs without residential density concerns.
Dominium postponement signals complexity ahead: The Dominium Apartments (18.71 acres) postponed at staff request — a significant apartment project on US-27 that will test whether the Commission's receptivity to Leesburg Lake Front extends to other multi-family proposals.
Commission at full strength with Akkerman attending: First meeting with Darin Akkerman present in the 2025 series, bringing the board to 7 of 9. His vote was "yes" on all items, suggesting a pragmatic leaning.
Possible shift to Magistrate system discussed: Dan Miller announced that Lake 100 (economic development group) may recommend the City move to a Magistrate form instead of Planning Commission. This could fundamentally change how development decisions are made in Leesburg. Commission members expressed concern. Chairman Sennett disclosed he is a member of Lake 100.

Raw Notes

Commissioner Kaplan retiring from the Commission; fellow commissioners and staff thanked him for years of service.
Commissioner O'Kelley and Commissioner Carter need to attend City Commission meeting for term extension presentations.
Lake 100 recommendation for Magistrate vs. Planning Commission discussed; no further information available at this time.
Discussion of 5% gas tax and road improvements — Lake 100 advocacy for dedicated road funding.

[THE READING]meeting record