Commissioners deadlock on Panther Street vacation after residents warn of flooding, litigation; item continued to March 25

Seminole County commissioners on Feb. 25 were unable to reach a final decision on a petition to vacate a 672.6-foot portion of Panther Street in the Black Hammock area, instead voting to continue the public hearing to a date certain, March 25.

Caitlin Apgar, planning and development services, told the board the petition by Joshua and Sarah Lewis seeks to abandon an unimproved segment of Panther Street so the land can be conveyed to Lot 144/1000 Elm Street. Apgar said the proposed area is 672.6 feet long, 25 feet wide (16,812.5 square feet), that Duke Energy requires a 10-foot easement across the area, and that county engineering is reserving a 25-foot drainage easement over the entire tract. Apgar said the request complies with the county's vacating procedures under section 35.184 of the Seminole County Land Development Code and related authority noted in the application materials.

Neighbors opposed the request at the hearing. Tara Merritt, who said she lives at 1580 Panther Street, asked the board to deny the petition and said residents rely on the right of way to preserve access and future county options for drainage. Michael Prazutti, who said…