Council rezones 24.8-acre Hernando County site for planned government services, sets conditions

The Brooksville City Council unanimously approved a rezoning on Aug. 4 that changes the land classification of about 24.8 acres at 19450 Oliver Street from agricultural to Planned Development Project ' Government Services (PDP-GS).

The application was filed by Hernando County and presented at the hearing by Eric Van de Bogard, construction projects coordinator for Hernando County. County representatives said the site currently houses an animal shelter and associated facilities and that the petition would formalize the property's land-use status and allow a modest expansion: a new kennel addition with about 31 kennels, a wash and laundry area, an isolation/intake building and a small cat facility.

Applicant and developer representatives, including Matt Suggs of Homes by WestBay, said the primary vehicular access will remain off U.S. 41 and that while the main entrance would remain open, gated sub-neighborhoods could be possible within private portions of the development. City staff and the applicant said utilities within the development would be city-owned while roads could remain private.

Council members and staff raised several concerns before approval. David Hanley, the city's community development director, said the entire 24.8-acre parcel was included because no internal parcel lines or survey existed to legally subdivide it now and because the planned Governor Boulevard alignment will bisect the property in the future. Several council members asked staff to limit open-ended uses.

The council voted to approve the rezoning on the condition that staff return for second reading with clarified and binding language that:

- Defines what the city will accept as "government services" for this PDP-GS designation; - Specifies a maximum building height consistent with the proposed single-story kennel structure (council asked staff to ensure the approved maximum is well below the 45-foot allowance in the code); and - Increases buffer widths and other perimeter protections between the facility and surrounding residential areas.

Public health and wildlife issues drew a brief public comment. Nina Mate, who identified herself as a Brooksville resident and Department of Health employee (speaking for herself), explained the role of "sentinel chickens" used by state and county public health officials to monitor mosquito-borne illnesses, saying the birds are kept in coops and tested regularly.

Planning staff said the request had been heard and recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission and that the ordinance will return for second reading and final action on Aug. 18 with the conditions council requested.

Speakers in the record include Eric Van de Bogard (Hernando County construction projects coordinator), Matt Suggs (Homes by WestBay, developer representative), David Hanley (Community Development director, City of Brooksville), Steve Goldman (city planner, qualified as an expert witness), Nina Mate (resident, Department of Health), and council members who spoke during the hearing.