 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Projects might shape future
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK, Times Staff Writer BROOKSVILLE -- County commissioners, who for months have talked about setting a vision for the county's growth, could give residents a preview today of how the future might look. During their regular monthly meeting on land use issues, the board will decide whether to rezone property behind the Springstead High School theater to allow a high-density, upscale apartment complex of more than 400 units. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval, but commissioners are concerned about traffic congestion at the heavily traveled site. The commission also will consider whether to permit 8-story apartment buildings as part of a "village concept" development at the sparsely populated Seville golf course community near the Citrus County line. Commissioners have endorsed this type of mixed-use project, but questions have arisen about the desire to have high-rises in a county where few buildings rise more than three stories. "You have to think about what it looks like, and the area," planning director Larry Jennings said. The upscale apartments behind Springstead first came to the commission for review in June. Still skittish from criticism the county failed to look at traffic, water pressure and other infrastructure woes for other construction proposals, the commission delayed action on the rezoning until further reviews could take place. A traffic study showed that Landover Boulevard currently handles about 2,900 car trips daily, a number that would nearly double with Springstead in session and a new traffic signal installed at Landover at Northcliffe Boulevard in 2003. A 432-unit apartment complex would generate an additional 2,700 trips per day, while a 298-unit complex recommended by county planners would create an added 1,900 trips. By contrast, a hospital -- for which the site currently is zoned -- would generate about 3,360 trips per day, and medical offices would generate about 7,200 trips daily. Such infrastructure information will be key in the outcome, Commissioner Chris Kingsley said. "That's a fairly well-used road, and this is a fairly large impact, especially so close to the school," Kingsley said. "It has the possibility of causing quite a little traffic quagmire." At the same time, he continued, the commission cannot reject a project on a maybe. If the traffic study states that Landover can handle such a load, he said, that too must be considered. The extra information also shows that a 432-unit apartment complex would house about 115 school-age children, and a 298-unit complex would house about 79 schoolchildren. Jennings suggested that public opinion could swing this matter. Decent arguments can be made based on the numbers for either size complex, he said, but only residents can provide keen insights into the impact on the neighborhood. "I think a lot of times when you get into these compatibility issues, that's where public input has a very large bearing," he said. "That's something you don't know until you get into the hearing." The Seville project is intended to jump-start an isolated, moribund development, where only about 20 houses currently exist and the nearest grocery store is several miles away. The village concept would create a neighborhood center that includes amenities in closer proximity to the homes and apartments. "What they're proposing is actually better than what they have on paper," Jennings said. The main point of discussion likely will be building heights, he said. The county comprehensive plan does not set strict limits, instead allowing a maximum density per acre, he said. Because the residential area will be only part of the larger whole, Jennings said, the 8-story apartments would fall well within that density requirement. The Planning and Zoning Commission had no problems with this idea, even noting that taller buildings would preserve more open space. But the Fire Department might not be able to serve such buildings without new equipment. And planners have said they would like to see more detailed drawings of the development. Commissioners said they were not as familiar with the proposal as with the Spring Hill apartments. Still, Commissioner Diane Rowden said she had some "real concerns," and said she looked forward to hearing more information. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the commission chamber. There are only three items on the agenda. -- Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Hernando County government and can be reached at 754-6115. Send e-mail to solochek@sptimes.com.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From today's Hernando Times Letters |
