The Brooksville City Council again denied a request by Croom Road Land Holdings, LLC to rezone a 442-acre tract from Hernando County Agricultural (AG) to City of Brooksville Planned Development Project-Mixed Use (PDP-MU). The vote was unanimous, based on the recommendation of City Planner Steve Gouldman.
The topic was brought before the council for reconsideration after it was denied during the first reading on May 3, 2021. The latest information contained 29 Conditions for Approval. Adam Barden of Croom Road Land Holdings posed the question of whether or not the council had the authority to approve the rezoning since a community farm would be now included in the development. The addition of the community farm was added over “many months” of modifications according to Cliff Manuel, President of Coastal Engineering.
Manuel told the council that numerous modifications have been made to the original plan, including revision of drainage, water and sewage, roadways and other compatibility standards. According to Manuel, the inclusion of a farm as an amenity is creating conflicts for City Planner Steve Gouldman with respect to “historic code.”
The addition of the farm would make the land use consistent with the surrounding area.
Gouldman responded after Manuel’s presentation, ultimately recommending rezoning not go forward. The reason for this recommendation is that the farm’s classification as an amenity does conflict with permitted agricultural uses.
Councilmember Betty Erhard stated that the applicant and their representatives are welcome to return to address this issue, however on this night, she moved to deny the request based on inconsistency with the the Future Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan.
The developer’s request would add 675 single-family homes, 120 villas and townhomes, 145 apartment units, 50,000 square feet of commercial space, and the community farm.
