The Planning Commission met on Tuesday, June 24, at noon and heard about two large-scale developments and a request for a waiver on a new fence height.
Eight-foot Fence requested
The Lawson family at 107 Davis Ave. desires an eight-foot fence. Brenda Lawson said it is desired “to keep peace in the neighborhood.”
The neighbor, Quinton Ginn at 103 Davis Ave. was unable to attend the meeting, but sent a letter in opposition to the Commissioners. He stated the proposed fence would present a legitimate safety concern by obstructing traffic at a nearby intersection or driveway.
Chairman Pat Brown said, “I fully understand if you have a neighbor you can’t get along with. But we can’t make an exception to the rule because someone doesn’t get along with their neighbor.”
Commissioner Blaise Koch said, “My heart goes out to you. I’ve had people I couldn’t get along with, too. But the city has these rules.”
Koch made the motion to deny the request, and the motion passed unanimously.
Heritage Estates Family Housing Development
A remote link was established to allow Molly Robb with Odyssey Engineering, LLC, and Larry Parke with Hood-Rich Architecture to join the meeting. Commissioners then discussed the large-scale development for Heritage Estates Family Housing Development, 851 Highway 123. Developers requested a waiver to allow vinyl siding to be used on part of the exterior.
Chairman Brown read the notes from COO/Engineer Wade Phillips, who could not attend. “Staff recommendations were to approve the large-scale plan, but final water and sewer plans to be revised to address comments,” Brown read.
David O’Neal moved, with Koch’s second, to deny that waiver. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. After the discussion, Brown moved, with O’Neal’s second, to approve the LSD contingent on plan revisions required by Public Works and the Fire Department. The motion carried on a unanimous vote to not allow vinyl siding.
Brown motioned to approve the plans based on revisions to the final water and sewer plans and to revise them to address comments by Phillips. And waive the 150 ft. length of the dead-end drive as long as the curb islands have been removed to satisfy the fire department.
Heritage Estate Senior Housing Development
Commissioners then approved a large-scale development for Heritage Estates Senior Housing Development at 851 Highway 123. Developers requested a waiver allowing vinyl siding to be used on part of the exterior. Koch moved, with O’Neal’s second, to deny the waiver. The motion carried on a unanimous vote. After the discussion, Koch moved, with O’Neal’s second, to approve the LSD contingent on plan revisions required by Public Works and the Fire Department. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
Golf Cart Shop
Commissioners were presented with a large-scale development at an unaddressed lot on Sawgrass Point for a golf cart shop. Brown said the plans weren’t complete, and City Chief of Operations Wade Phillips, who was not in attendance, recommended the matter be tabled until July. Property owner Bryan Ramsey explained that plans were being revised, but he wanted to begin construction as soon as possible. With Koch’s second, O'Neal moved to allow grading and foundation work to begin while plans were being revised, then have Ramsey return to the July commission meeting. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.
The next meeting of the Planning Commission will be July 22, 2025, at noon in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 118 W. Industrial Park Road.