County to consider Village proposal

Sumter County Times - September 20, 2001
By BOB REICHMAN

The Sumter County Commission will decide next week if plans to expand The Villages by 7,000 acres should be submitted to the state for consideration.

Last week, the county Zoning and Adjustment Board gave its unanimous approval to recommend that the County Commission allow The Villages to submit its plans to the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for consideration. In order to be constructed, the county’s land use portion of the Comprehensive Plan needs to be changed from an agricultural designation to a planned urban development. The County Commission will consider the issue at 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 25. The board meets in commission chambers on the second floor of the Sumter County Courthouse in Bushnell. The Villages is proposing to build 32,200 residences in northeastern Sumter County through the year 2020.

Several weeks ago, members of the zoning board approved the proposal despite opposition from some members of the audience. Those opposed to the plans say its approval would lead to diminished water supplies, declining wildlife and agricultural areas, urban sprawl and traffic - to name a few objections.

However, county support staff who have reviewed the plans say the land is well suited for the project and complies with the objectives of the county Comprehensive Plan. The proposed development would include 21,100 additional residences not yet approved, bringing the total housing to 32,200. The proposal also includes plans for a 300-bed hospital, movie theaters and golf courses.

The land is south of C.R. 466 and goes to State Road 44 and east of U.S. 301 to the Lake County line.