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Tavares council approves Seasons at Waterstone final plat over resident objections, 3-2
Summary
After public comment and extended debate about traffic and prior approvals, the Tavares City Council voted 3-2 to approve the final plat for the Seasons at Waterstone subdivision, which reduces an earlier entitlement to 93 lots on about 40 acres.
The Tavares City Council voted 3-2 Wednesday to approve the final plat for the Seasons at Waterstone subdivision, allowing the developer to record lots and proceed with infrastructure the developer had already bonded to build.
Council approval followed public comment and more than an hour of debate focused on traffic, neighborhood character and the project's long approval history going back to 2018.
A resident who identified himself as Wilson Lima asked the council to “consider doing a fiscal impact analysis for this plat,” saying similar subdivisions can cost a city more in infrastructure and services than they return in property taxes. Councilman Grenier said he opposed the project on principle, calling it a “bad use of land” and saying the cookie‑cutter lots would be visible from Dead River Road. Community Development staff member Mr. Fabre told the council the final plat was consistent with the previously approved preliminary plat and that the developer had dedicated right of way and conservation areas; “they meet our criteria,” Fabre said.
City staff explained the sequence: the planned development (PD) initially was approved for 111 lots, later reviewed to 105 lots at the PSP stage, and the construction plans ultimately reduced the buildable lots to 93. Staff also said the developer has posted bonds to construct roads, fire hydrants and water and sewer to city standards and that the council was voting on whether the final plat matches what the city previously approved, not on re‑approving the initial entitlement.
Council members who opposed rejecting the plat were warned by the city attorney and staff that the developer may have vested entitlements from the earlier approvals. The city attorney said denying an already‑vested final plat could expose the city to a legal challenge and potential takings claims because the developer relied on prior approvals to obtain financing and begin construction.
After the motion to approve the final plat, the council voted and the motion passed by a 3-2 margin. The council did not record individual roll‑call votes in the public record beyond the tally; the clerk recorded the outcome as “let the record show 3 to 2, passes.”
The approved final plat shows 93 lots on roughly 40 acres and includes more than 4 acres of dedicated right of way intended to smooth a problematic turn on Dead River Road. Council members asked staff to follow up with Lake County about scheduled county work on Dead River Road; staff said the county has the roadway on a long‑range maintenance plan and the city will seek to have the county move it up the list.
The council’s action clears the way for the developer to continue construction and for the city to accept the final plat for recording.
