Dade City approves Highland Trails Phase 2 preliminary plan, requires bike-path connection

The Dade City Commission voted 4-0 to approve the preliminary plan for Highland Trails Phase 2, a planned residential subdivision that would create 513 lots as part of a larger development reduced to 684 total units, during its regular meeting. The commission’s approval included a condition related to pedestrian-bike connectivity that staff said has been accommodated.

The project covers the portion of the PUD south of Morningside Drive and north of Clinton Avenue and is zoned PDH‑1 with a future land‑use of low‑density residential. According to staff, the larger PUD originally allowed 1,143 units by ordinance 2005‑0904; the developer reduced the total to 684 units. The phase before the commission tonight comprises 513 lots. Staff said the project will provide internal bike lanes and multiple mid‑block pedestrian/bike connectors; the planning board recommended approval with a condition to link a proposed path to an adjacent commercial property along Old Lakeland Highway, and staff reported that connection point has been identified.

City planning staff described the lot mix changes: the developer increased the share of 50‑foot lots and reduced the number of smaller 40‑foot lots compared with the original PD conditions. The preliminary plan establishes a general layout and design; staff noted the preliminary plan is valid for six years and that final engineering and construction plans could alter lot counts so long as the total does not exceed the approved ordinance allotment.

Nearby residents and affected parties raised concerns during the quasi‑judicial hearing. Jazmine Grama, owner of Gamas Farms and Microgreens (also known as Redneck and Flip Flops), told the commission that earth‑moving activity over the past year already has shaken homes and interrupted daily life: “we couldn't cook because the earth movers were shaking.” She asked for a substantial fence between her property and the development and said many nearby properties could be visually affected by the build‑out. An applicant representative responded that the construction documents are not before the commission and that the builder will meet with neighbors and consider adding fencing in addition to required landscape buffers.

Commissioners pressed for clarity about emergency access. Staff and the developer explained that an emergency access easement to Elkins Road is designed for response vehicles only, is gated, and is constructed with load‑bearing blocks (not a through paved road). Commissioners asked that the gate remain secure so the access cannot become a standard cut‑through for traffic.

The developer’s representatives — including planner Ryan McCaffrey of Hamilton Engineering and a local representative on site — said the project will be delivered in subphases of Phase 2 and that construction documents will address the detailed design of buffers, fences and stormwater. The developer said the application covers the parcels it controls; a small northeast parcel in the PD held by a different owner was not included in the application.

Motion and vote: a commissioner moved to approve the Highland Trails Phase 2 preliminary plat (the motion specified the bike‑trail connection point); the motion received a second and carried on a roll call vote, 4‑0 (Commissioner Church: yes; Commissioner Shive: yes; Commissioner Cosentino: yes; Mayor Scott Black: yes).

The preliminary plan now moves to the construction‑document stage; after engineering review the developer may seek a development order and administrative final plat approval before home construction begins. Staff said the preliminary plan is not binding on final lot counts so long as the development does not exceed the overall unit cap set in the PD ordinance.