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Council approves changes to Lumberyard development: city to receive $325,000 and Short Street asphalt to be removed
Summary
After heated public comment and lengthy debate, the council voted 3-2 to accept developer revisions to a planned waterfront development, including payment to the city and removal of asphalt on a portion of Short Street; the MOU also covers revised stormwater swales and land‐transfer details to resolve an adjacent neighbor's concerns.
The City of Clermont City Council narrowly approved changes to the Lumberyard/Row House development on Tuesday, voting 3-2 to accept a developer memorandum of understanding that removes paving at a row-house parking area, revises stormwater handling, and includes a $325,000 payment to the city in lieu of the lost community benefit.
The developer and city attorneys presented a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would not amend the previously approved Planned Unit Development (PUD) but would record operational changes: the developer agreed to revise state water‑management permits to reduce stormwater swales, to avoid treating certain drainage on the row-house property, and to remove planned paved parking at the row house. In exchange, the council was asked to accept changes in how the dedicated community-benefit land and funds are conveyed.
The item drew extended public comment and a long council debate. Nearby property owner David (Dave) Hess told the council he had disputed a boundary; a resurvey resolved the disagreement and the developer agreed to quitclaim a small portion of land back to Mr. Hess. That realignment prompted council members to ask whether city benefits tied to the original PUD—principally a paved parking area and a dedication—would be preserved. Staff and the developer said the city would instead receive roughly 20,000 square feet of land and $325,000 in lieu of the row-house paving benefit. The MOU also included an agreement to remove asphalt on a section of Short Street and to allow Mr. Hess to landscape and maintain the resulting area.
Environmental and lake advocates urged greater caution, citing concerns about stormwater, swales and potential impacts on the Floridan Aquifer; resident Charlene Harrison pressed council to protect the lake and questioned whether the state water management permitting process would adequately safeguard groundwater. The developer said it had engineering exhibits showing that revised swales would not be on the lake-facing side of the row-house property and that stormwater treatment would be moved to a vault on the developer's property.
Councilmembers split over timing and process. Several members said they had not received the MOU until shortly before the meeting and needed more time to review engineering exhibits; one motion to approve failed for lack of a second. After further discussion, Councilmember Howard offered a motion to approve the paving changes, removal of Short Street asphalt and payment of $325,000; the motion passed 3-2 (two councilmembers opposed). The council directed the developer to provide the supporting exhibits for the public record.
Councilmembers said the agreed payment and the Short Street change would address both public‑benefit and neighbor‑protection concerns, while opponents said they were uncomfortable approving land and infrastructure changes without more time for review and for answers about long‑term stormwater impacts.
The council tabled any separate vote on conveying a portion of city land directly to Mr. Hess; staff said the land conveyance process could be handled administratively after the council’s approval of the MOU and related dedication steps.
The developer and the city manager said work to amend permits with the St. Johns River Water Management District would proceed at the developer’s expense.
