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County Puts Off Voting on 1,600 Unit Lake Yale Development

    The Lake County Commission on Tuesday pushed off a vote on an ambitious development slated for the southern shores of Lake Yale.  Known as the ‘Whittaker Property’, the 456 acre parcel is slated to be developed into 1,600 homes, commercial centers, trails, and more. The approval came after an extended presentation and debate on the request which covered several hours.     However, with commissioners voicing a variety of concerns over the project, a vote was tabled until at least February 3.
    The Planned Urban Development request features 1,150 ‘active adult’ units, 450 single-family home units, and 50,000 square feet of commercial and recreational space.  A three-acre waterfront district envisions neighborhood scale retail, upper story residences, and would serve as a gateway to other lakefront green spaces.  Overall the development calls for an estimated four units per acre.
    As currently zoned, the property would allow around 1,200 housing units.
    The property would receive water and sewer from the City of Eustis, with a roughly three-mile service line project to be constructed to serve the project.
    Tuesday’s vote on the application fell apart after individual commissioners voiced differing concerns.  Sean Parks sought improvements to landscape plans but appeared set to support the plan, as was commission chair Leslie Campione. Commissioner Kirby Smith was seeking 65 foot lot frontage rather than the 40 feet proposed in addition to seeking guarantees that proposed roundabouts would be built.  Smith also didn’t like the fact that a portion of the development was age restricted. Commissioner Tim Morris sought an overall reduction from the planned 1,600 units, and wanted assurances planned road improvements would be done before houses were occupied. Without commissioner Anthony Sabatini present, the commission appeared unable to find a majority vote on the project.
    The county is seeking a variety of surrounding-area transportation improvements designed to mitigate the expected increase in traffic from the development. Proposed roundabouts, signaling, and lane improvements on CR 452, Apiary Road, and CR 44, are planned.  The plan conceives roundabouts on CR 452 at Apiary Road and South Fish Camp Road, with an overall infrastructure investment of around $20 million.     
    Inside the development, the Whittaker family home, located on Lake Yale, is expected to remain and be available for public use.
    The property will be developed in eight phases.
    The delay came after residents voiced concerns of even worse traffic in the area brought on by bringing an estimated 3,000 additional residents to the area. However, some residents also spoke in support, noting the ‘master plan’ style of development that conceives of much more than just another housing development.
    Commissioners noted the concerns, agreed with the need for road improvements in the area, but also said landowner rights have to be considered.
    “We try to be reasonable and fair,” said commission chair Leslie Campione, describing the needed balance between private property rights and quality of life issues. “We are not evaluating in a vacuum.”
    Describing a ‘mini city’ being developed on the site, residents presented data showing the area’s roads are already overcrowded.