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Commissioners deny Nomad RV Park zoning request, citing compatibility, traffic and wetland concerns
Summary
After lengthy public comment and testimony, commissioners voted to deny the proposed 196‑space Nomad RV Park PUD/Comprehensive Plan amendments. Neighbors and commissioners raised traffic, drainage and compatibility objections; applicants had proposed a low‑impact, mostly gravel RV resort with a conservation trail and nature features.
The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners denied a request to redesignate a 29.6‑acre parcel west of U.S. 19 for a 196‑space recreational‑vehicle park after extensive public testimony and debate. The applicant proposed a PUD and corresponding comprehensive‑plan amendment to permit the RV park, which would include guest amenities, two laundry/bathhouse buildings, a pool and a nature trail connecting a protected wetland area.
Applicant representatives (Mike Wilburn and partners) described the resort as an ecotourism project with a central sewer connection and a conservation‑minded layout that avoids mapped wetlands and preserves a 3‑acre turtle habitat. The applicant said most guest pads would be gravel, the on‑site structures would be transportable units and infrastructure would be routed to county water and sewer. They argued the development would generate sales tax and visitor spending, would create jobs and that an RV park would produce less floodplain impact than an equivalent number of single‑family homes.
Neighbors and dozens of residents opposed the scheme during open comment, citing compatibility with surrounding low‑density residential zoning, traffic safety at the West Atlas Drive/US‑19 approaches, concerns about a clogged DOT retention pond and potential increases in stormwater runoff. Several speakers said the parcel has informal public‑access uses and that a large RV community would change neighborhood character. Planning staff noted the site is partly in floodplain and that applicants must meet Swiftmud and FEMA floodplain requirements; staff said the proposed layout avoided mapped wetlands but had several important details to resolve in permitting.
At the Planning & Development Commission hearing earlier, members recommended denial. On Tuesday the board debated the project’s density, ingress and egress, potential stormwater impacts and the availability of sewer capacity. Commissioner Rebecca Bayes moved to deny the comp plan and PUD amendments; the motion passed by roll call. The denial preserves the parcel’s existing mix of low‑density residential and coastal‑lakes designations and keeps a commercial strip along the FDOT retention area in its current classification.
Speakers at the meeting included applicants Mike Wilburn and Nate Dwyer, county planning staff, and many residents from Kingston Drive, Palm Beach Loop and surrounding neighborhoods.
