Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Groveland council approves first readings for 6.2-acre Langley Industrial annexation and related land-use changes
Summary
On May 18, 2026 the Groveland City Council approved first readings of three related ordinances to annex about 6.2 acres owned by Rutland International Inc., change the future land use to Employment Center, and rezone the property to Light Industrial; Planning & Zoning recommended approval 3–2.
The Groveland City Council on May 18 advanced three related measures on first reading to incorporate a 6.2± acre parcel into the city and clear the way for industrial development within the Christopher C. Ford Commerce Park.
Interim City Manager Timothy Maslow presented the request to voluntarily annex the parcel owned by Rutland International, Inc. under Florida Statute 171.044. The package included Ordinance 2026-5 (annexation), Ordinance 2026-6 (small-scale comprehensive plan amendment to change Future Land Use from Lake County Industrial to City of Groveland Employment Center), and Ordinance 2026-7 (rezoning from Lake County Light Manufacturing to City of Groveland Light Industrial). Each ordinance received council approval on first reading by unanimous vote.
Planning & Zoning Vice Chair Robin Hoover summarized a 3–2 recommendation and said concerns discussed at the board level focused largely on the loss of agricultural land and limited information about the property's timber and silviculture uses. "Concerns raised during the Planning and Zoning meeting related primarily to the loss of agricultural land and the lack of additional information available regarding future plans for the timber and agricultural aspects of the property," Hoover said. Staff noted the property is contiguous to the City, lies within an established industrial area, and could be developed industrially under Lake County jurisdiction even without annexation.
Council members asked whether agricultural preservation tools or transfer-of-development-rights opportunities could apply; staff responded the parcel was not identified in the City's agricultural preservation goals. The ordinances direct the City Manager to record certified copies after approval and outline notice and filing steps required by state law. Because these were first readings, additional public hearings or final readings described in each ordinance remain to be completed before annexation is final.
The council's actions on May 18 set a path for future industrial development on the parcel; staff and the Planning & Zoning Board materials indicated compatibility with surrounding industrial uses and noted the parcel currently holds a Lake County agricultural exemption associated with silviculture activities.
