Commissioners back master plan review for Hardee County Resiliency Hub, neighbors raise concerns
Summary
County staff and consulting engineers outlined a grant-funded master plan centering a new sheriff's office on two parcels along US 17 North; commissioners gave consensus to proceed with rezoning and filings while nearby residents urged stronger notice, buffers and drainage protections.
Kelly Klepper of Kimley-Horn told the Board that the Resiliency Hub master plan focuses on roughly 35 acres on US 17 North and would place the primary sheriff's office facility on an approximately 11.7-acre parcel identified as Parcel 1A. He said the project is tied to state grant deadlines and therefore on an expedited schedule to file rezoning and comprehensive-plan amendments with the city.
"Generally, we're calling this, of course, the Hardy County Resiliency Hub," Klepper said in his presentation, describing the three-pod approach to the two main parcels and noting the design choices around an existing FDOT stormwater pond. He and the project engineer advised the board that site access, a traffic-impact analysis and DOT approvals will determine whether a turn lane or emergency median cut are required.
Commissioners pressed consultants on zoning and access: staff recommended rezoning Parcel 1A to the city's Planned Unit Development (PUD) designation so the sheriff's facility and associated secure uses are permitted, and they said connections to Herbridge Road would not be opened now to avoid cut-through traffic and security concerns. Consultants also said stormwater and wetlands constraints on Parcel 2 will require further analysis and permitting with state agencies.
During public comment, Mark Gilliard, a Herbridge Road resident, said adjacent homeowners felt they had not been adequately informed about planning and annexation steps and urged the county to protect existing homes and natural drainage. "I have a lot of concerns about sheriff's department being built there because I live on Herb Bridal Road," he said, asking the board to ensure adequate buffers and careful coordination with the city.
The board signaled consensus to proceed with the rezoning and filing steps while asking staff to continue coordination with the city and DOT, to clarify access and drainage impacts, and to return with any changes required by the agencies and grant timeline.
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