Board recommends approval for Mosaic’s Florida Fishing Trail phase 2 site plan

The Hardee County Planning & Zoning Board recommended approval Aug. 7 of Planning & Zoning application 25‑31, a site development plan by Mosaic Fertilizer LLC to develop six reclaimed lakes and a check‑in station as the Florida Fishing Trail phase 2.

Jordan, a member of the county planning staff, told the board the parcels lie southeast of Bowling Green within the South Fort Meade Mine and total roughly 1,692.8 acres. Staff recommended approval contingent on completion of reclamation “as specified in the approved master mine and reclamation plan” and that landscaping and signage conform to the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC) and Planning & Development Department requirements.

Bart Arrington, representing Mosaic, described Phase I as largely complete: “The parking’s finished. The docks, the boat ramps, are finished,” and said the check‑in station permitting is nearly complete and planned for later this year. Consultant Ahmed Trezza of Florida Engineering and Design and engineer John Diiello presented lake plans, ADA‑compliant docks and trails, and an approximate construction sequence; staff and consultants noted lake shapes may shift during hydrological modeling but acreages are expected to remain similar.

Mining coordinator Deb Butler clarified that reclamation is governed by the MMRP and that an amendment to the master mine and reclamation plan will be required; she said reclamation approvals are handled separately through the county mining department. After discussion the board voted to approve the application with the staff conditions; the motion carried by voice vote.

The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for final action under the requirements of the Hardee County ULDC.