Residents contest Southern Hills development citing flooding and historical zoning issues

The Brooksville City Council held a regular meeting on June 2, 2025, where significant concerns regarding flooding and land development were raised by residents. The meeting featured multiple public comments focused on the compatibility of proposed projects with existing infrastructure and the historical context of flooding in the area.

The session began with a resident presenting a series of exhibits that highlighted the long-standing issues related to the Southern Hills development. The speaker argued that the current project does not align with the surrounding agricultural land and questioned the council's consideration of a project linked to a developer that had previously gone bankrupt, leaving the city with unfinished infrastructure and financial losses. The resident urged the council to deny the petition or at least table it for further review, citing ongoing legal disputes over property easements.

Another resident echoed these concerns, sharing personal experiences of flooding in her neighborhood. She provided photographic evidence of water accumulation during heavy rains, emphasizing that while some developments may not flood, local residents frequently face significant water issues. She criticized the council for not seeking a second engineering opinion on the flooding concerns raised by the community.

A third speaker, who lives nearby, expressed frustration over the perceived lack of accountability in the planning process. He noted that despite the involvement of various agencies, flooding has persisted since the Southern Hills development. He called for more effective water management solutions to prevent further impact on downstream properties.

The meeting also included comments from a resident who highlighted the cumulative effect of multiple approved developments in the area, warning that the council's incremental approvals could lead to overdevelopment and exacerbate flooding issues. She questioned whether the city council was adequately coordinating with county planning efforts, given the number of homes already approved in close proximity.

Overall, the meeting underscored the community's deep concerns about flooding and the implications of ongoing development projects. Residents urged the council to reconsider current plans and prioritize the well-being of existing neighborhoods. The council's next steps remain to be seen as they weigh the feedback from constituents against development proposals.