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Inverness residents urge transparency, protections for Lakeside Golf Course parcel
Summary
Residents of Canal Lake Estates and nearby neighborhoods asked the Citrus County Planning and Development Commission to demand clear information about a 157-acre parcel at 4543 East Windmill Drive and to prioritize preservation, traffic and environmental studies if development is proposed.
Citrus County residents urged the Planning and Development Commission on May 2025 to keep the public informed and consider preservation options for a 157-acre parcel identified as 19E18532621000 at 4543 East Windmill Drive in Inverness.
"Our community is concerned about parcel ID 19E18532621000 located at 4543 East Windmill Drive, Inverness," said Catherine Spears, who identified herself as a Canal Lake Estates resident. Speakers said the parcel is listed on LoopNet as commercial/commercial-residential and that an online listing had incorrectly claimed local-government support; they said that language was removed from LoopNet on May 13 after commissioners asked for corrections.
The residents pressed the commission for clearer land-use information and more community notice if formal applications arrive. A county attorney warned there was currently no application before the county regarding Lakeside Golf Course and told the public not to rely on outside statements when participating in future quasi-judicial proceedings. "There is no application pending with the county with regard to the Lakeside Golf Course," the county attorney said, noting that an application could appear later.
Speakers described local concerns about traffic, water resources and environmental assets on and near the property. Michelle Bearden, a founder of a citizen group calling itself Save Our Neighborhood, said the parcel contains heritage oak trees, phosphate pits and habitat for "endangered species" and warned that a large housing development could depress nearby home values and worsen access on roads with a single official entrance. Steve Hughes and Pat Farnon, other neighborhood residents, said they had formed an ad-hoc group after the golf course closed and were tracking any forthcoming permits.
Speakers asked county staff and commissioners for (1) clear explanations of Citrus County zoning categories labeled "CL" and "CLR," (2) transparency and public notice about traffic-management and water-resource studies, and (3) that the county consider recreational or low‑impact uses (walking paths, equestrian trails, parks) as alternatives to dense residential development.
Commission staff told the audience that planners at the front counter can answer zoning questions and that formal applications, if filed, will trigger required public notices. The county attorney reiterated that ex parte communications rules apply when an application is before the county and advised attendees to rely on public hearings for formal input.
No formal application, zoning change, motion or vote occurred on this item during the meeting. The commission closed the public‑comment period and continued with the agenda.
The community said it will monitor the situation and may participate again if and when an application is filed with Citrus County.
