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PDC approves 1,500‑square‑foot accessory dwelling on 10‑acre Homosassa lot for multigenerational housing
Summary
The commission approved a conditional use to allow a 1,500‑square‑foot accessory dwelling unit on a 10.15‑acre Homosassa parcel. Neighbors raised deed‑restriction concerns, but commissioners said enforcement of private covenants is outside the county’s zoning review; the application passed 6–0 with conditions.
The Citrus County Planning and Development Commission approved conditional use CU‑2025‑00006 on June 10 to allow a 1,500‑square‑foot accessory dwelling unit on a 10.15‑acre Homosassa parcel owned by Paul and Linda Parsons. The application was presented by Stacy Worthington on behalf of Bruce Kaufman Construction; the commission voted to approve the request with conditions, 6–0.
Planner Jen Perkins told the commission the property qualifies under the county’s LDC provision that permits accessory dwellings up to 2,500 square feet on parcels of 10 acres or larger with conditional use approval. Perkins said the surrounding neighborhood contains a mix of single‑family homes and mobile homes; the average living area in the immediate area is roughly 1,720 square feet, and staff concluded the proposed 1,500‑square‑foot accessory dwelling would be compatible with surrounding development.
Attorney and applicant representatives described the requested dwelling as multigenerational housing to assist a single parent; Stacy Worthington said the accessory unit would house the applicant’s parents and grandparents to provide family support after a tragic death in the household. Worthington summarized the purpose: “what we're trying to ask you for today is for the accessory dwelling unit that would house both her parents and her grandparents.” She also emphasized the parcel’s single point of access and that the request was for family use, not commercial rental.
Several nearby property owners spoke at the hearing. Ted Hannon and Cynthia Harrison, adjacent homeowners, expressed concern that deed restrictions in the Oak Hills/El Dorado Estates subdivision prohibit multiple houses per parcel; they asked the commission to consider whether approval would violate private covenants. Commissioners and staff noted that deed restrictions and private covenants are civil matters between private parties and do not form part of the county’s zoning criteria; county staff said the application complied with the LDC standards for accessory dwellings.
Commission discussion focused on compatibility and the county standard adopted in 2024 allowing accessory dwellings on large parcels. Commissioners repeatedly said enforcement of private deed restrictions lies outside the county’s regulatory purview; several members, including Commissioner Murphy and Commissioner Collins, voiced support for multigenerational housing and found the request compatible with neighbors. The motion to approve with conditions passed unanimously (6–0). The applicant must obtain required permits and comply with the conditions attached to the approval.
