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Residents urge caution on large Far Reach Ranch proposal, say wetlands and process concerns remain
Summary
Residents at Tavares— planning meeting warned the 1,352-acre Far Reach Ranch proposal risks wetlands loss and said the application does not reflect long-range planning; staff said the project is still in staff review and that comments were routed to departments on Oct. 9.
Several residents raised strong objections to the Far Reach Ranch development during the public-comment portion of the Tavares Planning & Zoning Board meeting on Oct. 16, saying the proposal conflicts with prior comprehensive-plan work and may threaten wetlands.
Michael Kerr, identified by the chair as representing the Shirley Shores Community Group, said he had reviewed the application materials and described the submission as "1,352 acres" with plans that "build houses, build houses, and build houses." Kerr said community reviewers found multiple errors in the packet and that the plan appears inconsistent with years of planning work.
"For my particular neighborhood ... they are going to blade end to end, wall to wall, over a 100 acres of wetlands," Kerr said, adding that state code language he read as "under no circumstances shall you remove wetland stream, period." The board transcript records Kerr—s concern that the application appears to disregard protections he believes exist for wetlands; the claim was presented as public comment and was not adjudicated at the meeting.
City staff told the board the Far Reach Ranch application remains in staff review and that review comments were circulated to multiple departments and external reviewers (public works, utilities, city engineer, Lake County) on Oct. 9. Staff said if the proposal clears staff review it will be noticed and brought to the board for further consideration.
Daryl Diamond and other commenters urged the board to insist on compatibility and lower densities if the proposal proceeds, citing potential impacts on schools, roads and emergency services. Several commenters referenced past contentious reviews of large developments and said they want the city to manage the project carefully to avoid litigation.
Board members and staff answered procedural questions about public access to staff comments and the sequencing of PUD zoning versus applicant-specific approvals. Staff reiterated that the current submission is part of a multi-step review process and that public records and staff comments may be requested through formal records procedures.
No formal vote or decision on the Far Reach Ranch project occurred at the meeting. Staff indicated the item remains under review and will return to the board only after staff sign-off and formal noticing.
