Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use And Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commissioners approve Plaza Colina Pod I conditional use permit with crosswalk condition
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval of a conditional use permit to allow shared internal drive aisles and reduced internal landscape buffers for Pod I of the Plaza Colina PUD, directing staff and the developer to add a north–south crosswalk and to meet landscaping requirements during site review.
The City of Clermont Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval of Resolution 2025-023R, a conditional use permit request to amend the Plaza Colina planned unit development to allow internal shared drive aisles and reduced internal landscape buffers for the parcel identified as Pod I.
The request, presented by Nick Gonzales of Development Services, would permit shared internal drive aisles and smaller landscape buffers between the three sub-parcels within the Pod I area on the north side of State Road 50, east of Magnolia Point Boulevard and west of Lake Boulevard. Staff recommended approval, noting the proposed uses (quick-service restaurants and retail) fit the C-2 general commercial zoning and that a prior traffic study for the overall development covered the site's expected cumulative traffic.
The applicant's attorney, Jessica Gallo of Cobko Law Firm, said WMG Development is updating the PUD to allow interconnectivity and reduce driveway cuts along the frontage road, noting earlier pods received similar amendments. "We're hoping to find some exciting users here for this site," Gallo said.
Commissioners focused on access, landscape buffering and pedestrian connections. Commissioner David Kramer said shared drive aisles reduce driveway cuts and can improve overall traffic flow. Commissioner May and Commissioner Hoisington flagged the lack of sidewalks and the proximity of a nine-building apartment complex across the frontage road. Commissioner Tadona pressed staff and the applicants on the safety implications of a one-lane in/one-lane out u-shaped aisle and on preserving tree canopy and sight-line protections for nearby residents.
Applicant and staff said sidewalks and required perimeter buffers will be reviewed and enforced at the detailed site plan stage. John Crews of Development Services noted the original development underwent a DRI traffic study sized to 1.2 million square feet of commercial and 200 apartments, and said the current planned square footage is well below that threshold, which is why no new traffic study was required.
Commissioners amended the approval with a condition requiring installation of a north–south crosswalk across Kalina (Colina) Terrace, subject to engineering review, and clarified that perimeter landscaping must comply with the city land-development code (Section 123-43 and related standards) and the plantings removed from the internal buffer should be reallocated elsewhere on the site during site review. The motion to approve, as amended, was made by Commissioner Kramer and seconded by Commissioner Neemiek; the commission voted 6-0.
The commission's recommendation will go to the City Council; staff said final building permits and detailed site plans must meet the city's site review, sidewalk and landscape standards before issuance.
The record shows commissioners and staff repeatedly asked that the applicant coordinate sidewalk locations, pedestrian crosswalks and tree/landscape placement during the site plan process to mitigate impacts on nearby multifamily residents and to ensure the shared driveway approach improves, rather than worsens, safety and circulation. The action will now be scheduled for the City Council agenda for final action.
