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Leesburg commission approves road‑transfer agreement, annexation and code‑fine settlement; tables large annexation
Summary
The commission approved a road transfer under a 2013 ISBA interpretation, accepted an annexation for Lake Margaret phase two over a county objection, reduced and waived a code‑enforcement fine to $1,500 after the owner cured violations, continued large 33‑road annexation hearings to April 13 and recorded the withdrawal of a Dewey Robbins rezoning application.
At its March 23 meeting, the Leesburg City Commission took several procedural and land‑use votes while debating long‑term costs tied to a 2013 ISBA interlocal agreement.
Road transfer: The commission approved a resolution authorizing the mayor and city clerk to execute a road transfer agreement with Lake County tied to obligations under the 2013 ISBA. Staff said the ISBA triggers city responsibility to accept certain roads when annexation reaches a 50% frontage threshold; staff estimated ongoing maintenance could average $20,000–$25,000 annually for the roads on tonight’s list, with periodic overlays costing many tens or hundreds of thousands. Commissioners expressed concern that accepting roads will ultimately require city taxpayers to fund maintenance and widening that county impact fees do not cover. Staff and legal counsel said the ISBA language obligates the city and that delaying acceptance likely would not change the outcome; the commission voted to approve the agreement.
Code‑enforcement fine: The commission considered a request to waive accrued code‑enforcement fines for a West Dixie Avenue property (1215 West Dixie Ave., owner Robert G. Hicks, trustee) after the violations were corrected. Staff described a prolonged, litigated enforcement action; commissioners debated reducing the fine to cover city administrative costs. An amendment to reduce the fine to $1,500 was approved by roll call.
Annexations and zoning: The commission approved ordinances to annex and rezone approximately 25.07 acres for the Lake Margaret Phase Two PUD to allow roughly 70 single‑family homes, despite a letter from a county commissioner and a BOCC note urging 50% open space rather than the proposed 35%. Several commissioners cited concerns about added traffic on nearby County Road 48 and US 27 but voted in favor by roll call (four yes, one no).
Large annexation continued: A significantly larger set of annexation and rezoning requests — about 202.6 acres and 502 potential lots on County Road 33 — was opened but continued to a date‑certain, April 13, 2026, after staff acknowledged an error in the public‑notice timing. The continuance preserves procedure and allows re‑notification.
Cronin/Dewey Robbins: The applicant for a 9.26‑acre SPUD (Cronin Dewey Robbins residential, 26 lots) withdrew the application at the hearing; staff said no commission action was required and the item will sunset.
Airport ordinance (first reading): On first reading, staff presented an ordinance to allow the city manager to execute routine T‑hangar and box‑hangar leases under rates later set by commission resolution; staff said the airport had been operating under that practice but the code change had left a period where the commission had to approve all leases. A companion resolution recommending rate changes will return on second reading.
What’s next: The MPO returns with TIP drafts in April and final adoption in June. The large County Road 33 annexation and related plans will be reheard April 13. Several implementation details (cost estimates for accepted roads, any dispute resolution under the ISBA, and the formal lease rates for airport hangars) remain outstanding and were flagged for follow up.
