Planning commission denies Crosswind Point amendment after heated cell‑tower debate and FDOT documentation concerns

The Planning Commission voted to deny a large amendment to the Crosswind Point planned development (formerly Parrish Plantation) after an extended hearing that centered on a proposed personal wireless service facility and missing FDOT documentation.

Applicant counsel Kyle Grimes asked the commission to rezone a 9.65‑acre parcel into the PDMU project, swap office entitlements for more retail and identify a location for a proposed 190‑foot monopole cell tower. The application described coordination with FDOT regarding a dry pond on FDOT land that the applicant hoped to incorporate into the project’s stormwater plan; staff noted FDOT had provided a "no objection" email but the required affidavits of ownership and zoning disclosure for that FDOT parcel were not in the record.

The cell‑tower component prompted sustained opposition from commissioners and residents who raised visual impacts and property‑value concerns; commissioners also questioned whether the tower was necessary given existing nearby towers. Verizon and its RF engineer said the site addresses capacity and coverage needs and that detailed proprietary coverage data cannot be publicly released. Commissioners repeatedly returned to the FDOT documentation gap and stormwater uncertainties tied to the FDOT pond. After deliberation, the commission voted to deny the ordinance amendment and PSP changes (motion carried; vote recorded as a 5–0 denial in the hearing record).