CRA issues letter of support for conceptual Clermont Botanical Garden at Center Lake

The City of Clermont Community Redevelopment Agency voted unanimously to issue a letter of support for the conceptual plan for the Clermont Botanical Garden at Center Lake, a Main Street-led proposal that proponents say would restore water-quality vegetation, create pollinator habitat and add an ADA-compliant trail around the lake.

Patrick Bianchi, board president of Clermont Main Street, presented the concept, describing roughly 2,500 linear feet of littoral (water-edge) plantings and tiered native-plant zones intended to soak up phosphorus and other nutrients, improve habitat for pollinators and provide an educational resource. “This is about water quality, canopy restoration, economic vitality and education,” Bianchi said, summarizing the ecological and fiscal arguments he presented to the board.

Supporters told the board the plan could leverage state and private grants. Bianchi cited several funding avenues, including a St. Johns River Management grant program that he said currently offers grants up to $3,000,000 for water-quality projects and other local gardening grants. Natalie Kaler, executive director of Clermont Main Street, said the organization has secured two current grants—a $50,000 design-guideline award and an art initiative tied to America250—and that Main Street would lead grant-writing efforts.

Residents and nonprofit members who testified at the meeting urged the board to back the vision. Rosie Mulholland, a member of the Florida Native Plant Society, said the society’s chapters and grant programs would be natural partners. Anna C. Grove, vice president of the Passionflower chapter, urged careful attention to lighting and wildlife refuge design to protect nocturnal species while keeping the trail safe for visitors.

Board members asked technical and programmatic questions before moving to act. One member raised a concern that dense plantings could obscure lake views and limit fishing access; Bianchi responded that the design includes a fishing pier and separation requirements for plantings and that later, more detailed renderings would show sightlines and access points.

Board member [S14] moved to issue a letter of support for the conceptual vision of the Clermont Botanical Garden at Center Lake; a second was given by Board member [S3]. The board voted 7-0 in favor. The board and presenters emphasized that the vote approved only a conceptual letter of support: project timelines, specific funding commitments, engineering plans and formal approvals must come back to CRA and to the City Council.

Next steps, as laid out at the meeting, include forming an ad hoc design group with civic stakeholders, preparing technical surveys and grant applications, and returning to CRA with cost estimates and a formal implementation plan. The board also suggested coordination with local groups such as the VFW, the Clermont Garden Club and native-plant organizations.

The CRA did not adopt any binding budget or construction authorization at the meeting; it approved a letter supporting the project’s conceptual vision and asked staff and proponents to return with detailed plans.