Recommending body forwards rezoning of Lakes of Lady Lake tract to Town Commission

The Town of Lady Lake recommending body voted to forward Ordinance 2026-07, a request to rezone roughly 24.34 acres within Lakes of Lady Lake Phase 2 from agricultural-residential (AG-1) to single-family low-density residential (RS-3), to the Town Commission for two readings set for June 1 and June 15 at 6 p.m.

Senior town planner Becky Schneider summarized the application as a zoning-only request for a portion of a 32-acre tract on the west side of County Road 25, about 600 feet north of Clubview Drive. Schneider said the rezoning would align the parcel with the town’s future land-use designation allowing up to three dwelling units per acre and noted that a similar application filed in October 2025 was withdrawn; the applicant received a waiver of the town’s 12-month refiling prohibition on March 2, 2026. Schneider also said the golf course on the site is a nonconforming use after being vacated more than 180 days and that the property will be required to connect to town water and sewer once developed.

MacGregor Love, the applicant’s representative, told the body the request is limited to zoning and that subdivision, lot lines and site access will be resolved in the later subdivision and concurrency review phases. Engineer Chuck Hyatt said concept plans currently show access to the south but that discussions are underway with an adjacent northern property owner and that alignments could be adjusted to match any future traffic signal.

Several residents urged caution. "My biggest concern is if this is approved and we put more houses in there, the traffic is already severe; somebody’s gonna get killed," said resident Chris Mangino, who lives on Dowling Circle and asked whether speed limits and safety measures would follow new development. Connie Hummerding, who said she purchased a home in the community when it had an 18‑hole course, said reducing the course to nine holes and adding new homes would hurt property values and community security: "If this suddenly drops down to a 9‑hole golf course, our housing value is going to drop," she said. Phil Mathias reported he has contacted Lake County officials about a traffic signal at Marion County Road and said the county is now reviewing the issue.

Town staff replied that density entitlements allow up to three units per acre and that, under state concurrency and county roadway jurisdiction, driveway locations and off-site improvements such as turn lanes or traffic signals are evaluated by Lake County and during subdivision review rather than at this zoning-recommendation stage. Staff also said notices were mailed to 34 property owners within 150 feet and that no written correspondence for or against the rezoning had been received before the meeting; the record did include one phone call asking about the meeting schedule. Staff accepted public comments in writing through the second reading and provided a planning email for submissions.

A member moved to forward Ordinance 2026-07 to the Town Commission; the recommending body approved the motion by voice vote. The action is advisory—the Town Commission will hold two formal public hearings and may approve, deny or modify the ordinance at those meetings.

The next steps for the applicant, if the Town Commission approves the rezoning, are the subdivision phase and concurrency review, during which detailed traffic analyses and any required off-site improvements would be determined.