BROOKSVILLE — Eastern Hernando County residents packed a Planning & Zoning Commission meeting March 9 to push back against proposals that would convert farmland into housing developments, warning that the plans would bring too many homes, too much traffic and an end to the rural character that drew them to the area.
The hearing stretched as commissioners took testimony on two Melton family land proposals and a separate plan for 110 townhomes near the Sandal Key community, also known as Lake Hideaway. All three drew sharp criticism from neighbors, some of whom said they had moved to Hernando County to escape the overdevelopment of places like Wesley Chapel.
“We came here to get away from that hell,” one resident said.
The commission’s votes are recommendations. All three items now go to the Hernando County Commission for final action.
Melton family proposals
The Melton family, represented by Coastal Engineering, sought to rezone two parcels of agricultural land near Interstate 75 for residential development. Commissioners said Coastal has a pattern of pushing density to the limit, seeking deviations from lot width, lot size, building footprint and setback requirements.
Members were quick to tell Coastal president Cliff Manuel it wasn’t personal. His job, they said, is to represent his clients; theirs is to represent the people.
Jessica Icerman, an attorney for the Melton family, said the new developments would connect to county water and sewer, would not drain onto neighboring properties and would include road improvements.
Residents were unconvinced. Several said the scale of the projects would overwhelm local roads and degrade the landscape. One commissioner raised concerns that the developments would attract buyers from outside Hernando County.
Chairwoman Kathryn Birren was critical of multifamily elements in any of the plans, saying that buildings over three stories are too much for areas with single-family homes because residents on upper floors could see into neighboring yards.
Manuel said it is trying to provide housing at price points accessible to a range of buyers.
Commissioner Steven Markford cited rising car and homeowners insurance rates, which he attributed to increased claims driven by higher-density development. He voted against both Melton proposals.
The commission recommended approval with conditions on the first proposal, 4-1, with Markford dissenting. A second Melton parcel to the south, for single-family homes, also passed 4-1 over neighbors’ objections.
Lake Hideaway townhomes
Dirt Doctor 11011 LLC sought to rezone a parcel on the north side of Bourassa Boulevard, about 2,133 feet east of Commercial Way, from agricultural to planned development for a 110-unit townhome community. The site is surrounded by the Sandal Key community, also known as Lake Hideaway.
The developer requested deviations on setbacks and lot sizes.
Neighbors raised the familiar objections: traffic, school capacity, drainage, building height and disruption to their way of life. One warned that new residents unaccustomed to rural living might be alarmed by gunshots from nearby agricultural land.
The developer would be required to improve Bourassa Boulevard at its own expense.
The commission recommended approval, 3-2, with Birren and Markford dissenting.
County Commission action
In a separate matter, the County Commission approved a rezoning request by the same company for land on the west side of Sunshine Grove Road, across from the Spring Ridge subdivision. The parcel was rezoned from agricultural to a planned development for neighborhood commercial uses, with specific general commercial uses and an associated master plan. The vote was 4-1, with Commissioner Ryan Amsler dissenting.
The site had been zoned agricultural with a special exception for a civic club. That exception was eliminated as part of the approval.
The Planning and Zoning Commission had voted 5-0 on Jan. 12 to recommend approval.