Lake County board recommends approval for Hartle Hills Apartments future land use and rezoning

The Lake County Planning and Zoning Board voted to recommend approval of a future land-use amendment and a rezoning that would allow the Hartle Hills Apartments development north of State Road 50 and west of County Road 455. Leslie Regan, senior planner, told the board the 17.89-acre site is proposed to change from Regional Office to Planned Unit Development and be rezoned from Agricultural to PUD to facilitate a multi-family development and associated amenities.

District 4 resident Cindy Newton testified in opposition, citing drought conditions and water-consumption concerns tied to the area’s water-conservation initiatives. “There is a lot of concern with the water consumption, especially now with our drought,” Newton said, urging caution about increasing density in areas with water restrictions. In response, the applicant’s presenter, Tara Tedrow, said project utility capacity was confirmed by the City of Clermont and that the utility agreement was updated to ensure adequate service: “We actually just went back to the City of Clermont to double check that we had available capacity and that there would be no issue from their standpoint for service to this project.”

Staff noted the concept plan includes approximately 2.78 acres of wetlands with a 50-foot wetland buffer, a minimum of 25% open space, and a maximum impervious surface of 65%. After questions from board members about whether units could be for sale, the applicant said the market currently favors rental product and that the design meets Lake County and Clermont JPA standards. A motion to recommend approval carried by voice vote. The recommendations will be transmitted to the Board of County Commissioners for their hearing on July 14.