News Features

Residents Voice Opposition To 7-11 Plan In Umatilla

    On Tuesday, July 7, the Umatilla City Council is expected to begin considering a request to develop a 7-11 convenience store at the corner of SR 19 and Golden Gem Drive. Since plans for the development went public last week, area residents have voiced concern over the plan, for a variety of reasons. The concern is juxtaposed against what city officials say could become a $4 million investment into the community as well as $15,000 annually in estimated tax revenue.
   An ‘Outpost’ story appearing online about the pending hearings generated dozens of comments, nearly all voicing opposition to the plan. Reasons mentioned include the loss of a historic packing house that currently sits at the location and the fact that the store once built would be the sixth convenience store in roughly one mile of road - a number that some see as excessive.
   Comments ranged from hopes the packing house could preserved to hopes that if it has to go some other type of use would be created. Others voiced sadness over the continued loss of historic Florida to new development.
   While some hope for a different outcome, the realities of the current land use at the site and the realities of preserving an old structure that is in need of a heavy investment to be fully brought up to current code paint a picture of likely demolition, now or in the future.
   Speaking on the topic this week, Umatilla City Manager Aaron Mercer said the city was first approached about developing the site, which is currently owned by the Bryan family, shortly after Florida Governor Ron Desantis came to town to deliver a multi-million check for the development of the city’s new industrial park. The park, located west of the packing house site further down Golden Gem Drive, is ready to be developed.
   Mercer said the city is using a PUD style approval process to secure more concessions for the city, including requiring two employees during overnight hours, additional landscape and maintenance requirements, and more.
   “What made the site more attractive was the increased traffic counts on SR 19 near the Bryan property,” Mercer said, noting studies indicate roughly 20,000 trips per day through the area.
   “Together with the 420 houses in Magnolia Pointe, 120 houses in Woodsong, and the industrial park, the site was ripe for development.”
   Mercer said the developer, who is out of Orlando, is the same one who has developed numerous 7-11 stores throughout the greater North Lake County area.
   The application is set to come before the council on July 7, during the council’s 6 p.m. meeting at city hall.