Hernando County approves Cabot Citrus map change and rezoning to fold 10-acre parcel into Cabot Farms PDD

Hernando County commissioners on July 1 adopted an ordinance to amend the county comprehensive plan and rezone a roughly 10.07-acre inholding so it can be incorporated into the Cabot Farms planned development district (PDD).

Development Services Director Omar De Pablo told the board the small-scale comprehensive plan amendment (CPAM 02/2001) re-designates the parcel from “rural” to “Rural Woods PDD” and that staff and the Planning & Zoning Commission each recommended approval after the P&Z vote May 12. Don Lacey of Coastal Engineering, representing the applicant Cabot Citrus Opco LLC, said the parcel was a privately held interior piece ultimately acquired by the World Woods/Cabot project and that it will be absorbed into the PDD without changing the project’s unit entitlements.

The change was described to commissioners as largely administrative: the parcel had been left rural because it was not available for purchase when the original World Woods/Cabot PDD was created in the 1990s, and now the owner has agreed to integrate it into the master plan. Lacey and staff said a significant portion of the property is subject to a private conservation agreement between the landowner and the developer; that agreement, they said, limits development of much of the acreage.

Commissioners asked only clarifying questions about conservation acreage and security perimeters used by Cabot Citrus Farms. Michelle Miller, lead planner, and staff confirmed the change will not increase density or authorize any new uses beyond what the Cabot Farms PDD already allows.

The board adopted ordinance number 2025-07 by roll call vote: Commissioners Ansler, Alaco, Campbell and Chairman Hawkins voted aye. The ordinance language and P&Z packet are part of the file.