The Citrus County Planning and Development Commission on a 7‑0 vote approved a conditional use allowing an 8‑bed assisted‑living facility at a residence on South Highview Avenue.

The commission approved application CU2024‑018 after hearing a staff recommendation that the project complies with the Land Development Code and after the applicant agreed to withdraw a requested buffer variance and accept a buffering condition negotiated during the hearing.

The application, presented by Mike Wilburn of Local Engineering Inc., proposed use of an existing approximately 4,492‑square‑foot, six‑bedroom house to serve up to eight residents. Wilburn told the commission the house would be configured with two larger rooms to accommodate two residents each, that employees would not sleep on site, and that outdoor activity would be limited to quiet, small‑scale garden use. Wilburn said the land‑use code’s ALF provisions allow up to 22 residents on this parcel by conditional use but that the applicant was requesting only eight.

Kelly Caudill, planner for Citrus County, said the subject lot is roughly 0.93 acres, is zoned medium‑density residential (MDR), and that the staff report recommended approval with conditions. Staff confirmed the proposed exterior would appear residential and described nearby vacant parcels and an adjacent residence to the north.

A neighbor, Constance Phillips of 275 South Highview Avenue, spoke during public comment and raised concerns about well‑water quality and septic capacity on the narrow lot. Phillips noted the number of bathrooms and said her well near the landfill yields discolored water; she asked whether the county has assessed septic and potable‑water impacts. Caudill and staff replied that permitting would require review by environmental health and the county’s plans review and fire sections (for water/sewer and possible sprinkler requirements) and that the applicant must demonstrate service capacity at permitting.

Commission discussion focused on buffering, opacity and measurement of planted buffers, and whether the conditional‑use limitation to eight residents would carry with future owners. Caudill said a conditional use is tied to the property, so an approved ALF with the eight‑resident limit would remain with the parcel if ownership changed. The applicant initially asked for a modest reduction to an ALF buffer standard so the existing floor plan would fit, but later withdrew the deviation and said he could meet the buffer requirement.

Following discussion, the commission edited the recommended condition on buffering. As read into the record, the condition in the motion requires, at permitting, compliance with applicable development standards per the LDC, with the specific buffering requirement: a 10‑foot Type A buffer along improved roadways and a 20‑foot‑wide buffer with 75% opacity where the site abuts residential properties; retention of as much natural vegetation as possible is encouraged. The commission adopted the application with the mitigated buffer language and the other staff conditions.

The motion to approve CU2024‑018 was made by Commissioner Robert Scherer and seconded by Commissioner David Bramlett; recorded action shows the motion carried, 7‑0.

What’s next: The approval is a conditional‑use approval; the applicant must secure building, fire and environmental permits (including any septic/health approvals) before converting the house to an operating ALF. The eight‑resident limit and the buffering conditions are attached to the property as part of the conditional use.

The application raised neighbor concerns about potable water and septic capacity, which staff said will be validated during permitting.

Sources: Citrus County staff report and packet materials, applicant presentation by Mike Wilburn, public comment by Constance Phillips, action and motion records from the Planning and Development Commission hearing.