At the applicant’s request, the Hernando County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to postpone two zoning items that would allow a 226-acre property to become a 907-unit housing development called Ginny Grove. The applicant, Jack Melton Family Inc., requested two parcels between Lockhart Road and I-75 be rezoned from agricultural to a single-family planned development project.
The petitioner’s project engineer is Coastal Engineering Associates, which operates in Hernando and Citrus counties. Current plans show lots would be at least 5,500 square feet and 50 feet wide, and the maximum building height allowed is 35 feet. The plans also include some space for parks and other amenities. The County’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-1 on March 9 to approve the change after more than two hours of discussion and presentation. Several residents turned out to oppose the rezoning, arguing lots would be too small and that the development would make Hernando County look more like Wesley Chapel.
Despite the planning commission’s favorable vote, Commissioner John Allocco said the applicant requested BOCC approval be postponed to address some of the concerns raised at the March 9 meeting, including roads, EMS access and other transportation issues. The agenda items will need to be re-advertised, but Allocco expects they will be on the agenda for the board’s next land use meeting on May 4. Tuesday’s meeting featured just one speaker during public comment. Brooksville resident Carmen Frongillo told the board that while growth and development are inevitable, commissioners should at least require new developments to have wide roads, sidewalks and other features to make them nicer and safer for children and families.
“Is there a way where we can have growth that fits the neighborhood we live in, and not eight-foot spaces between each house?” asked Frongillo. While approving the rezoning wasn’t on the table Tuesday, commissioners did appear receptive to approving developments that prioritize community needs.
Originally reported by Hernando Sun
Sources: Hernando Sun
