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Against Own Preference, Commission Approves Big Development

    The Eustis City Commission on Thursday, March 6, approved a planned 275-home development along SR 19 just north of town.  The development, located north of the intersection of CR 19A and known as the former Powers dairy site, received approval even after all four commissioners present at the meeting voiced displeasure with the plan and area residents spoke in opposition.
    “I know we all don’t want it,” said vice mayor Gary Ashcraft, one of three commissioners who ultimately voted for the development due to the fact that it technically met city land development requirements and a denial would likely lead to a lawsuit.
    The development has been under consideration for many months, with the commission sending the developer back to tweak the plan last fall.  Those tweaks as well as a virtual meeting with landowners around the site that had been requested by the commission left the city with few options.
    “There is no discretion for the commission,” said city attorney Sasha Garcia.
    That was little consolation to members who opposed the development plan.
    “I don’t like this development,” said commissioner Mike Holland, while voicing his desire not to see the city embroiled in a lawsuit over the matter.
    Community members also spoke out against the plan, citing among other things fears over increased traffic congestion on SR 19 and in surrounding areas.
    “It’s too much,” said Jeremiah Latourneau, and Edward Prentice described the plan as ‘reckless’.
    “The population is getting crazy,” said Three Lakes area resident Amanda Hall in speaking in opposition to the proposal.
    A final vote came only after an unofficial roll call to approve the plan failed to gain a majority, as did an official vote to table the issue until the next meeting, presumably when commissioner Emily Lee would be in attendance.
    In the end, commissioners voted 3-1 to approve, with commissioner George Asbate voting against. Asbate had made a motion to deny the plan, but it failed to gain a second, paving the way for the eventual final vote.