The Leesburg City Planning Commission approved a variance on Oct. 23, 2025, allowing the installation of an 80-foot flagpole and a 20-by-30-foot flag at Venetian Park, a city-owned public park on the south side of Lake Harris.

Planning and Zoning Director Dan Miller and Senior Planner Max Van Allen told the commission the request was initiated by members of the Leesburg Boat Club, who volunteered to pay for erection of the pole. Van Allen presented maps showing the proposed location is outside the flood zone and wetlands present on the property. Van Allen said signs were posted on Oct. 10, 2025, and staff received two responses to the notice — one in support and one requesting denial because the respondent preferred to keep the existing view.

City staff said the property is in the P (public) zoning district and noted that current City of Leesburg size limits for flagpoles and flags are a 60-foot maximum pole and a 10-by-10-foot flag; the variance was requested to increase those limits. Staff recommended approval, saying the site’s shoreline curve provides an appropriate local landmark and the pole could also serve as a safety marker for boaters. The staff report recommended approval “to allow the construction of an 80 foot high flag pole and the installation of a 20 foot by 30 foot flag in the P Public Zoning District” and cited code sections governing flag sizes.

Commission discussion included concerns that a prominent flag installation should not become the site of political displays; commissioners noted that because the pole would be on city-owned property, the city would control what could be displayed there. One commissioner said the proposal was “a good idea” and supported displaying the American flag.

A motion to approve variance VAR-25-714 was made and seconded; the commission took a roll-call vote and moved on to the next agenda item. The transcript records the motion carried; a roll-call tally was not specified in the public record excerpt.

The variance allows the nonconforming flagpole height and increased flag size on city park property; any future memorials or additional displays at the site would be subject to city approval.