BCC - Regular Board Meeting and Zoning - 1st Tuesday - 2026-05-05
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
Lake County Board of County Commissioners denied a request for 11 bonus density units at the Cedar Creek Rural Conservation Subdivision on 119.4 acres north of Number Two Road, approving only the base 86 units allowed under rural conservation design. The board also denied a rezoning request from agriculture to community facility district for Iglesia Christiana Pentecostal at 13131 County Rd 561A, citing the 99-foot lot width as too narrow for a church development. A roundabout was approved for the Sunnyside Oaks subdivision near Leesburg, to be developer-funded.
Key Decisions (9)
Conservation Easement Release for CFX Lake Orange Connector
Board approved release of additional yellow-highlighted area from conservation easement for CFX's Lake Orange Connector road project. Red area was previously released, green area remains in conservation. Approximately 45 acres dedicated permanently for Florida Wildlife Corridor as part of project.
Conservation Easement Release for New Beginnings Property
Board approved release of 1984 conservation easement on property being purchased by New Beginnings (Steve Smith) for transitional housing operations thrift store. Property located within City of Groveland limits, already partially built out with metal buildings and covered concrete area within easement.
Fire Assessment Study Acceptance
Board accepted the annual fire assessment technical study performed by Banesh consulting. Study shows 28% budget increase would result in residential rate increase from $415 to $498 (20% increase). Staff recommended no rate changes from current fiscal year.
Consent Agenda Zoning Items - Sandburg Property and Blueberry Farm CUP
Board approved consent agenda tabs 1, 2, and 3 including Sandburg property rezoning (tabs 1-2) and Blueberry Farm CUP (tab 3) for wedding venue on agricultural property.
Cedar Creek Rural Conservation Subdivision Bonus Density
Board denied request for 11 additional bonus density units (from 86 base to 97 total) on 119.4 acres north of Number Two Road, west of Mission and Resort. Applicant offered roundabout at entry, 10 acres additional open space, and conservation easement in perpetuity. Town of Howey in the Hills had executed agreement for voluntary annexation and utility service.
Iglesia Christiana Pentecostal Rezoning
Board denied rezoning of 2.63 acres from agriculture to community facility district for 7,337 square foot church at 13131 County Rd 561A. Property is only 99 feet wide with steep elevation changes. Planning and Zoning Board had recommended approval. Proposed 150 chairs, 75 parking spaces.
Sunnyside Oaks Subdivision Roundabout
Board approved developer-funded roundabout for Sunnyside Oaks subdivision near Leesburg, approximately 30 acres with 83 houses. Located south of US 441, east of SR 44, at Sunnyside Drive and Fern Drive intersection. Simulations confirmed RVs and 50-foot trailers can navigate without using truck apron.
Grant Application Federal Compliance Language
Board approved adding language to all county grant contracts and applications requiring compliance with federal law regarding conferring benefits only to legal citizens or residents.
Repeal of Cable Communications Chapter 6.5
Board approved advertising for repeal of Chapter 6.5 (cable communications) from county code. County has been prohibited from cable communication franchises for years; some provisions to be moved to Chapter 18-3 right-of-way utilization permits.
Zoning Changes (2)
13131 County Rd 561A
Iglesia Christiana Pentecostal / Pastor Ernest Portolatin
119.4 acres north of Number Two Road, west of Mission and Resort
Cedar Creek Rural Conservation Subdivision (Alex Stringfellow representative)
Development Activity (5)
Cedar Creek Rural Conservation Subdivision
86 units approved (base density), 11 bonus units denied. 61% open space proposed with conservation easement and land management plan. Roundabout at entry proposed but may not proceed without bonus density funding.
Sunnyside Oaks Subdivision
Approximately 30 acres, 83 houses, developer-funded roundabout approved. Development already under construction.
Iglesia Christiana Pentecostal Church
Proposed 7,337 square foot single-story church with 150 chairs, 75 parking spaces plus 3 handicapped on 2.63 acres. 99-foot wide lot with steep elevation. Septic and well system.
Ember Grove Commercial Resort
Small scale commercial resort with multiple cabins and central amenity area. Recently submitted proposal to county.
Drake Point
Previously approved development almost the size of Howey in the Hills, non-contiguous to town limits. Referenced as example of coordinated infrastructure agreement with town.
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Town of Howey in the Hills actively pursuing coordinated growth agreements with developers for utility service and annexation, indicating continued residential development pressure in rural transition areas.
Infrastructure
Number Two Road safety concerns driving discussions about road improvements, roundabouts, and maintenance maps, with county and Howey in the Hills coordinating on right-of-way and utility infrastructure.
Sentiment
Strong community opposition to density increases in rural areas, with residents citing road safety, rural character preservation, and concerns about annexation leading to urbanization.
Commercial Demand
New Beginnings organization purchasing property in Groveland for thrift store to support transitional housing operations, indicating demand for community service commercial uses.
Infrastructure
Fire assessment study shows 28% budget increase needed, indicating rising costs for emergency services infrastructure across Lake County.