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Commission recommends small‑site redevelopment at US‑19 and Homosassa Trail with conditions
Summary
The commission recommended approval of PUD202600004, a redevelopment of a deteriorated 1.51‑acre commercial site on US‑19, conditioned on revised uses, parking, tree preservation and access management; the applicant said leased tenants are likely a pickup‑only Chipotle and a Starbucks drive‑through.
The Planning and Development Commission voted 5–1 Aug. 6 to recommend approval of a redevelopment PUD for a 1.51‑acre site at the southeast corner of US‑19 and West Homosassa Trail that has been described as an 'eyesore' by staff. Attorney Lauren Rubinstein, representing 1 Oak Okemosasa LLC, said the concept plan has been designed around two quick‑service uses and that the applicant is willing to remove a general note so the master plan limits uses to the two proposed types.
Lauren Rubinstein told the board, “They've recently gotten to a point that the the 2 tenants are proposed to be a drive through Chipotle and a Starbucks.” Staff and the applicant described requested deviations from current GNC standards: continuation of a previously approved 75% impervious surface ratio (ISR) instead of the standard 70%, reduced south/east buffers in some parcels, and tree‑preservation measures for two specimen trees while acknowledging one specimen likely cannot be saved due to grading and flood‑proofing needs. The applicant's engineer said the site will require underground chambers and FDOT/Swiftmud coordination to meet drainage standards in the AE flood zone with base elevations of 9–10 feet.
Commission discussion focused on parking counts, pedestrian and delivery circulation, potential access on Homosassa Trail, and ensuring that any Homosassa access be configured as right‑in/right‑out with a raised median if engineering allows. Commissioners amended conditions to limit uses to the quick‑service and coffee uses shown on the master concept, require that deliveries occur outside of business hours, and preserve tree‑canopy protections where possible. The commission forwarded its recommendation with the amended conditions to the Board of County Commissioners for final action Sept. 8; staff and commissioners noted BOCC review will examine parking, drainage and tree‑preservation evidence in detail during permitting.
