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Commissioners approve Stillwater Estates PUD modification with limit on new RV sites
Summary
After neighbor concern about traffic, wildlife and emergency access, the board approved a major modification to the Stillwater Estates RV master plan but limited phase‑3 additions to 110 new sites and added roadway and infrastructure conditions.
The Citrus County Board of County Commissioners approved a substantial modification to the Stillwater Estates RV master plan but placed a new cap on additional sites after residents and commissioners raised concerns about traffic, groundwater and wildlife.
Applicant representatives described the resort amenities and said the requested change would replace 55 previously approved cabins with RV sites and add a 0.9‑acre area for temporary boat and trailer storage. Engineer Paul Fuhrman and developer Steve Ponikos said the park includes lakes, walking trails, a clubhouse and measures to retain stormwater.
Neighbors objected to the scale and raised safety and environmental concerns. “We have nesting eagles on my property,” Pamela Turner told the board, asking the county to protect wildlife and local groundwater. Residents along South Melanie Drive and Longfellow said an unimproved emergency exit that connects the site to county roads must be upgraded before the development proceeds.
Staff and public‑works representatives said the Planning and Development Commission (PDC) recommended conditions including upgrading an unimproved emergency access drive (Melanie) to county standards as a permit trigger and preparing a traffic update; staff also noted sewer capacity and a separate funding agreement for a larger regional improvement project.
Several commissioners said 213 additional RV sites were excessive for phase 3; after discussion the board approved the modification with conditions limiting phase‑3 additions to 110 RV sites (effectively raising the site count above the original 55 cabins but well below the 213 requested), plus required road improvements, drainage measures, updated traffic analysis and other PDC conditions. The motion passed 5–0.
The approval is conditioned on updated improvement plans, required surveys and that the emergency access be paved to county standards when permits for the modified phase are sought. Staff said they will work with the applicant on final plan adjustments to meet the board’s specified cap and preserve as much tree cover and natural area as feasible.
