Local News
Neighbor opposes zoning change request
Marc Valero | Highlands Today
Published: July 9, 2012
AVON PARK - A subdivision's requested zoning change, if approved by the city council, would add an additional 300 people to the already large development, according to a nearby property owner who cites a number of concerns.Published: July 9, 2012
Estates of Grand Oaks LLC is requesting a change in zoning for its 47-acre residential subdivision, Grand Oaks at Lake Damon.
It wants its R2 zoning, which typically covers medium-density, single-family attached units and duplexes, changed to a city planned unit development to allow a mix of housing units and an assisted living facility.
The subdivision's current plan calls for 127 residences, single-family attached and duplex units.
The proposed plan with the rezoning request calls for 27 single-family residences, 86 duplex units and a 300-resident assisted living facility.
The city's Planning & Zoning Board unanimously voted June 26 to forward Grand Oaks' zoning request to the city council with a recommendation to approve it with conditions.
That includes a detailed traffic analysis, plus the developer would need to explore the possibility of access to U.S. 27 from the west portion of the property.
Sandra Billings owns five acres just south of Grand Oaks on Gastor Road. The subdivision is just south of Lake Damon.
Billings noted a number of concerns in a June 22 letter to the Central Florida Regional Planning Council:
At Monday's meeting, the city council is set to vote on the first reading of an ordinance to change the subdivision's zoning.
mvalero@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5826