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Hernando Today

RV Resort On Hold

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Published: June 14, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - An RV resort on the county's eastside is on hold while the developer meets with the community to resolve concerns.

Joseph Selway, representing Southwest Properties LLC, asked county commissioners' Wednesday to rezone 50 acres off U.S. 98, just south of State Road 50, for a resort park for 162 recreational vehicles.

The park would include a 600-square-foot residential home for times when RVers want to park their rigs for awhile.

The resort — located east of Interstate 75 — would include a clubhouse, outdoor pool, shuffleboard and tennis courts.

The developer's intent is for RVers to use the smaller home on the property as either a permanent leased or purchased residence or advertise it for lease or purchase on a daily, weekly, monthly or seasonal basis for tourists or resort use.

Some of the concerns from residents at Wednesday's hearing were the high density of the project and the traffic spill-off on local roads.

Commissioners asked Selway to meet with Ridge Manor residents to resolve concerns. The board said they would rehear Selway's proposal at their October Land Use Hearing.

"We need as much information coming in from both sides so we can make a good decision," Commissioner Rose Rocco said.

Rocco said she wished Selway would have done more homework and came prepared with better data on marketing and whether the interest is there for such a community.

Commissioner Diane Rowden questioned the feasibility of the project when gas prices are topping $4 a gallon and big motor homes seem to be disappearing from sight.

"I'm kind of apprehensive as to the type of market that you would be getting for this area," Rowden said.

Rowden also said the project sounded too speculative.

Selway admitted that gas could affect lot sales. However, he noted that RVers who choose to park their large vehicles for longer periods of time because of high gas costs could have a permanent residence at this site.

"It's more of an RV home community than it is for the RV person who is in and out all the time," Selway said.

Selway denied this is speculative zoning.

"Our intent is to develop or we wouldn't be here to rezone it," he said.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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