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Zoning board backs retail center plans
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK, Times Staff Writer
BROOKSVILLE -- Another jolt of retail development is poised for approval at the increasingly busy intersection of Spring Hill Drive and U.S. 19. The Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday gave an initial go-ahead to the rezoning of 37 acres immediately adjacent to the Wal-Mart Supercenter rising at the site. County commissioners will consider the request next month. If approved, the site would hold up to 300,000 square feet of commercial activity. Representatives for owner Hardy Huntley said no contracts have been let, but possible tenants include a grocery, Cracker Barrel restaurant, and retailers such as Best Buy. Planning commissioners saw no problems with the proposal. "That area very definitely, to me, is a commercial area," board member Bob Dewitt said. "You really have not asked for anything unreasonable." In fact, Dewitt noted, the group came armed with responses to the major concerns that had been raised on other projects in the area. They brought a traffic analysis showing that the roads and intersections will remain at acceptable levels of service and offered to make road improvements at several critical spots. A handful of residents opposed the rezoning. They argued the traffic impact would be too great, and the environment would be damaged. Most claimed the site is bear habitat. Leslie Neumann of Aripeka contended that Huntley subverted the state development of regional impact rules by getting his land rezoned in pieces. He also owned the Wal-Mart site. "The county owes us all an explanation," she said. Dorothy Carter of Timber Pines said the county will have plenty of vacant retail space when Kmart closes. "Due to the economy and the Wal-Mart Supercenter, there will probably be more vacant space," Carter said. Owner's representative Peter Creighton responded that the land has been environmentally disturbed for years, and was used as an effluent spray field. He noted that the owner had proposed road improvements to avoid problems to neighbors. He did not comment on the development of regional impact issue. Board member Anthony Palmieri, meanwhile, said the Planning and Zoning Commission cannot involve itself in economic issues. Its sole purpose is to review land use requests in light of current regulations, he said. From that perspective, the panel found no reason to deny the request. Only member Al Sevier opposed the rezoning, because he wanted more information about the location of wetlands on the site. In related action, the board approved a conditional plat for the Sam's Club slated to be built on State Road 50 west of Sunshine Grove Road, next to the Wal-Mart Supercenter. It also passed along with minor revisions a proposed ordinance that would require all commercial construction greater than 100,000 square feet to submit master plans to the county for heightened regulation.
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