Brooksville City Council reviews zoning request for 462 acres on Southern Hills Boulevard

The Brooksville City Council held a regular meeting on June 16, 2025, where several key issues were discussed, including a significant public hearing regarding a rezoning request for a large parcel of land.

The meeting began with a brief citizen input session, after which the council moved to the consent agenda, which was approved unanimously. The main focus of the meeting was the public hearing for Ordinance 984, which proposed the rezoning of approximately 462.3 acres located on the south side of Southern Hills Boulevard. The current zoning classifications were set to change from a mix of plan development project residential and Hernando County agricultural to a new city zoning designation.

City officials emphasized the quasi-judicial nature of the hearing, which requires adherence to specific procedural standards. The council reminded attendees that only fact-based testimony would be considered in the decision-making process, and all speakers were required to provide their names and addresses before presenting their testimony.

Cliff Manuel, president of Coastal Engineering, represented the applicant and was accepted as an expert witness. He provided an overview of the project, highlighting that the updated master plan incorporated feedback from previous council discussions. Key issues addressed included the construction of a berm along Powell Road and the inclusion of a fire station, which were designed to mitigate drainage concerns in the area.

The council members engaged with the applicant, asking questions to clarify details about the project. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further review the updated plans and ensure that all community concerns were adequately addressed.

Overall, the meeting underscored the council's dedication to following procedural guidelines while considering significant developments that could impact the Brooksville community. The next steps will involve continued discussions and evaluations of the proposed rezoning as the council seeks to balance development with community needs.