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Hernando Today

Lion's Club To Stay As It Is

Plans to convert it into large restaurant denied.

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: May 12, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - BROOKSVILLE - Plans to build a new restaurant in an isolated, residential area of Spring Hill were shot down Monday by planning and zoning commissioners.

The final vote was 3-2.

Several residents spoke against a developer's request to convert the existing Lion's Club at the south end of Hallcrest Avenue into a large restaurant. The site is located on a five-acre parcel at Hallcrest Avenue, east of Waterfall Drive in Spring Hill.

Norino & Balsam Properties LLC planned to renovate the existing building, which was used for public meetings, receptions and banquets. When completed, the building would double in size, from 8,200 square feet to over 16,000 square feet.

But residents were concerned a full-blown restaurant would add too many cars to the area, endangering residents. There was also a concern that a restaurant serving liquor would bring undesirables to the community.

County planners were also recommending denial of the rezoning.

Planning Director Ron Pianta said there is no direct access to the site from a major thoroughfare and is too isolated.

"I don't think if I lived in that neighborhood I would want traffic meandering through the neighborhood trying to find this restaurant," Pianta said.

The site is more appropriate for a private club or church, according to planning staffers.

Planning Director Bob DeWitt said he would have a hard time even approving the site for a church because of the isolated location.

Planning Commissioner Anthony Palmieri, who supported the rezoning, said he didn't believe that a restaurant would be any more intrusive than a Lion's Club.

An audience member said there are too many restaurants in the county and doubted whether this new one would stand a chance against the competition.

Palmieri said that is not for the planning board to decide. Board members have to consider the developer's request strictly from a land use perspective, he said.

"Whether he makes it or not with this venture, it is not our problem," Palmieri said.

Planning Commissioner Kenneth Smith also supported the developer because the county planned to put limitations on the hours of operation.

But the majority of the board ruled the day.

"I think this is way, way too intense for this residential neighborhood," P&Z Chairwoman Anna Liisa Covell, said.

Also Monday, P&Z members:

- Voted 5-0 to approve developer Joseph Selway's request to rezone 24.5 acres on the west side of Croom Rital Road, north of State Road 50, to allow 241 townhomes in a gated community.

- Voted 5-0 to recommend rezoning approval of 50 acres on the east side of U.S. 98 and S.R. 50 for a mix of housing and space for recreational vehicles. The RV resort would include a clubhouse, outdoor pool, shuffleboard and tennis courts.

- Approved a request by Manuel LLC to extend until 2012 a conditional plat agreement for Eagle Point, an 11-lot residential development planned for a four-acre site on Eagle Nest Drive in Hernando Beach. Cliff Manuel, president of the corporation, asked for a two-year extension to allow the county to temporarily store material dredged from the bottom of the Hernando Beach channel.

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

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