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Council amends Verona (Willow Creek) master plan to allow narrower townhome lots and expanded model‑home clusters
Summary
Titusville approved changes to the Verona (Willow Creek) planned development allowing multi‑family village lots as narrow as 20 feet, clarifying townhouse building group standards and permitting clustered model homes with a sales office. The decision followed mixed public comment about drainage and neighborhood impacts.
Titusville City Council approved amendments to the Verona (also called Willow Creek) Planned Development master plan, changing multiple development standards for portions of the 638‑acre project.
The council adopted the rezoning ordinance after staff presentation and public comment. The ordinance, moved by Member Nelson and seconded by Vice Mayor Cole, passed on a 4‑1 vote (Member Stockel voted no). The changes that passed include: allowing reduced townhome lot widths down to 20 feet in the multi‑family Village E, clarifying townhouse group spacing and a six‑unit maximum per townhouse building group, and permitting clusters of up to four decorated model homes plus a real‑estate sales office and temporary ancillary stabilized parking in each residential village subject to conditions.
Planning staff had recommended denial of a broader setback reduction; the applicant, KB Homes Orlando LLC (applicant Rodney Honeycutt and company representatives spoke), narrowed the request and negotiated conditions with the Planning & Zoning Commission. The P&Z recommended a compromise for a reduced rear setback only for lots whose width fully abuts storm‑water retention lakes (the commission’s wording would reduce the affected lots from 126 to 99); council approved a version that implements the commission’s recommendation with additional staff conditions around accessory structures and townhouse building‑group spacing.
The hearings drew multiple public speakers who raised concerns about drainage and site elevation. Several residents said they had experienced poor drainage and localized ponding and asked whether additional reduction in setbacks might increase risk to lot owners. The developer and its engineering team responded that the stormwater system had been designed under state water‑management standards, that the site discharges under I‑95 to the Saint Johns River watershed, and that routine construction‑phase conveyance issues (silt, blocked inlets) could be addressed.
Council members said they wanted to balance the developer’s ability to deliver a sought‑after one‑story product at a lower price point with neighborhood concerns about drainage and long‑term maintenance. The council carried forward several conditions into the final PD ordinance to govern accessory building setbacks, townhouse group spacing, and the allowed model‑home configuration. Staff will ensure utilities and certificates of occupancy are provided before any model homes are occupied; the ordinance also preserves review procedures for final plats and site plans.
Council asked staff to continue monitoring drainage complaints and to work with the developer and the community development staff to address any localized conveyance problems. The ordinance and related conditions will apply as the developer records final plats and proceeds through individual construction phases.
