Hernando Today
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Big Stores Face Tougher Rules
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Published: July 10, 2008
BROOKSVILLE - From reducing the wattage of light bulbs in their parking lots to the use of barrier walls to dampen noise, developers of large retail stores may soon have to adhere to tougher new building regulations in Hernando County.
County commissioners Wednesday voted unanimously to hold one more public hearing, on July 22, to consider adopting amendments to the new "Big Box" ordinance, which sets building parameters for retail establishments larger than 65,000 square feet, such as Wal-Mart, Target, Lowe's, Home Depot and JCPenney.
Commissioners at their land use hearing said they were satisfied with the changes but must wait until the second public hearing before formally adopting them.
The amended ordinance includes changes in vehicle access, expands store setbacks from the road, facilitates pedestrian walkways and requires retailers to make more visual enhancements to cut down on eye pollution.
Many of the suggested changes are technical, such as shielding from view the store's heating and air conditioning units.
Other proposed changes:
• The county may be required to provide manned parking lot security between 10 p.m. and sunrise at stores operating 24 hours a day.
• At least 50 percent of all parking lot lighting must be turned off within one hour after close of business or between 10 p.m. and sunrise, whichever comes first.
• No spillover of lighting will be permitted beyond property boundaries.
• No building may be located within 100 feet of any residential or agricultural property.
• Any commercial development within 2,500 feet of a public school will submit a traffic and pedestrian safety plan to the county.
Many of the new standards in the ordinance came about after several meetings between Commission Chairman Chris Kingsley and community leaders such as Fred Maier, chairman of United Communities, Hillary Busby, with Save Our Neighborhoods, and John Bloom, also with United Communities. The amended ordinance should offer more protection to existing residential areas and save them from what Kingsley has referred to as "intrusive invasion" by large retailers.
Maier thanked Kingsley at Wednesday's land use hearing for taking the lead on the amended ordinance that he believes will "make everyone's job a lot easier."
"This is a perfect example of government and community working together for a common goal," Maier said.
If commissioners approve the tougher ordinance July 22, it would take effect immediately after its filing with the Florida Department of State.
Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.
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