Leesburg planning commission recommends Dominion Apartments rezoning, backs reduced parking plan

The City of Leesburg Planning and Zoning Commission voted on Nov. 20 to recommend approval of two related land‑use actions for the Dominion Apartments project, forwarding a small‑scale comprehensive plan amendment (SSCP 251269) and a planned unit development rezoning (PUD 251270) to the City Commission for final consideration.

Staff told the commission the roughly 18.71‑acre site west of U.S. Highway 27 north of Palm Drive and south of County Road 25A is currently a mix of general commercial and low‑density residential on the future‑land‑use map and that the request would change the site to city general commercial and reinstate a PUD allowing up to 276 multifamily units with design standards, a 25‑foot undisturbed buffer, a 4‑foot earthen berm and opaque fencing adjacent to residential properties, a 35% open‑space minimum, dark‑sky lighting and a four‑year substantial‑commencement clause. Staff cited compliance with Chapter 163.3187, Florida Statutes, and relevant sections of the City of Leesburg Code of Ordinances in recommending approval.

The applicant’s attorney, Joseph Kovacshech of Lowndes Drostic Canner Reed Law Firm, and Dominion representatives presented two site options: a code‑compliant plan with 2.0 parking spaces per unit (roughly 555 spaces for 276 units) and a preferred layout reducing the ratio to 1.6 spaces per unit to allow greater building setbacks from neighboring properties. "We believe 1.6 spaces per unit is appropriate here," Joseph Kovacshech said, noting the design would push buildings farther from adjacent homes. Dominion representative Glenn Daniels said the company "does own and manage our apartments for a minimum of 15 years," and emphasized the developer’s long‑term management approach.

A nearby resident, Thomas Whip, president of the Quarry Island/Manufactured Homeowners Association, urged the commission to consider traffic and infrastructure impacts, saying the existing area is congested at peak times and estimating the project could bring "approximately 1,100 more residents" and a significant increase in water demand. The applicant responded that Lake County Public Works and FDOT had no substantive comments on the project and that transportation concurrency, required permits and mitigation agreements would address roadway and school capacity issues.

After brief discussion, the commission voted to recommend approval of the small‑scale amendment and then the PUD rezoning. The small‑scale amendment motion was made by speaker 10 and seconded by speaker 12; roll‑call votes recorded four yes votes (Commissioners Marshall, Carter, Bairozoff, Robertson) and two no votes (Commissioners Senate, Sanders). The PUD rezoning passed by the same margin on its separate motion and second. Both items will be scheduled for future City Commission hearings for final action.

The commission’s recommendation leaves several implementation details to later review, including final site‑plan approval, exact parking counts for any final plan, required roadway improvements per FDOT or Lake County standards and any school mitigation the Lake County School Board may require at time of development.

Next step: the City Commission will receive the planning commission’s recommendations at a future meeting for final decisions and any conditions of approval.