The Hernando County Commission rejected a mixed-use development on February 3, responding to residents who said the project would bring too much density and traffic to the rural “El Pico” area. The 5-0 vote denied rezoning for an 18.89-acre parcel along County Line Road, where developers wanted to build four single-family homes, 170 townhomes, 15 apartments and 23,500 square feet of commercial space.
The proposal underwent multiple postponements in 2025 before commissioners ultimately rejected it based on compatibility and intensity concerns. Residents of nearby Rainbow Hills Estates flooded the commission with written protests, citing traffic congestion on County Line Road, insufficient buffering, flooding worries, wildlife impacts and threats to their “quiet, rural lifestyle.” The site is north of County Line Road, south of Pot O’ Gold Lane and about 1,000 feet west of the intersection of County Line Road and Suncoast Boulevard.
The application first came before the Planning and Zoning Commission on June 9, 2025, which voted 3-2 to recommend approval of rezoning from AR-2 (Agricultural/Residential 2) to multiple planned development categories with deviations. Alan Garman spoke for the petitioner, while County Commissioner Brian Hawkins made the motion to deny the request.
Originally reported by Suncoast News – Brooksville
Sources: Suncoast News – Brooksville
