Commission backs small-scale comp plan amendment and rezoning for Kohl’s parcel on US 27

Planning staff presented a proposal on April 7 to amend the City of Clermont comprehensive plan and rezone a roughly 15.9-acre Kohl’s parcel at 12305 US Highway 27 from Lake County urban-low/FKA PUD to the city’s C-2 general commercial designation. Staff recommended approval of Ordinance 2026-016 (small-scale comp plan amendment) and Ordinance 2026-017 (rezoning), saying annexation would align the parcel’s land-use and regulatory standards with surrounding commercial development.

Staff said the property previously developed under a Lake County PUD and that, with the PUD’s entitlements fully exercised, C-2 zoning is the appropriate City of Clermont designation. The staff presentation said annexation and rezoning are mutually beneficial to Kohl’s and the city: the owner could save about $23,000 per year in taxes under city jurisdiction, while the city could add an estimated $80,000 to its tax roll.

Commissioners asked about outreach to adjacent landowners and whether the change would permit additional commercial development consistent with C-2 standards; staff said outreach has been ongoing and the change would allow additional commercial uses subject to city code and site-review requirements. The commission voted to recommend both ordinances to city council; both recommendations were unanimous in the record (individual roll-call tallies were not specified in the transcript).

Next steps include City Council consideration of voluntary annexation and the ordinance package, plus any associated utility and service agreements.