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Planning panel backs small‑scale land‑use change near historic Piney Ridge cemetery
Summary
The Seminole County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended a small‑scale future land‑use amendment for about 2.6 acres on Markham Woods Road from public/quasi‑public to suburban estates after staff review and testimony that the site was not a recorded cemetery; neighbors urged caution and cited limited ground‑penetrating‑radar findings.
On Aug. 6, 2025, the Seminole County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the Board of County Commissioners adopt an ordinance changing about 2.6 acres on the west side of Markham Woods Road from public/quasi‑public to suburban estates to allow a single‑family dwelling. Staff said the site is vacant, adjacent to the Piney Grove (New Island Lake) Cemetery, and currently zoned A‑1 agriculture. Caitlin Apgar, planning and development, told the commission the applicant provided a ground‑penetrating radar (GPR) report dated Sept. 30, 2024, and contacted state and local historical organizations; staff’s review found no evidence the parcel is a recorded cemetery and concluded the requested land‑use change met comprehensive‑plan criteria and Wekiva River Protection Area limits.
The issue prompted public comment focused on the cemetery history and whether the GPR survey was conclusive. William Klett presented a short news segment tracing local cemetery history. Christopher Thirp told the commission the GPR report was “not conclusive” because terrain limited the survey, and asked that more testing be done before any ground disturbance. Applicant attorney Lonnie Groot said the property was removed from cemetery status on the county tax rolls in 2012 and that his clients, Alexander and Dragana Neslovich, intend to build one single‑family home. Staff clarified sanitary sewer is not available and a septic system may be used; public water and reclaimed water connections will be required. Staff also noted the site sits in the Wekiva River Protection Area and is subject to a one dwelling unit per net buildable acre standard and a maximum 60% impervious surface limit for aquifer recharge overlay areas.
Commissioners asked whether the development could become more than one lot; staff said any new lot would require subdivision approval and that the property’s existing public frontage (about 20 feet) limits lot creation under A‑1 standards, which require larger frontage and one‑acre minimum lots. Staff and the applicant also confirmed the parcel (about 2.6 acres) is below the minimum acreage for a civic assembly use such as a neighborhood church, which would require five acres in A‑1 zoning. After discussion, the commission moved to recommend the Board of County Commissioners adopt the small‑scale future land‑use map amendment; the motion passed with all members present voting in favor.
The commission’s action is a recommendation; the matter will be referred to the Board of County Commissioners for final consideration per the county’s review process.
