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Hernando Today

Balancing Growth On Spring Hill Drive

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: January 16, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - The original planners of Spring Hill likely did not imagine the growth of that community when they planned it way back around 1962.

Back then, Spring Hill Drive was a narrow road surrounded by homes and trees.

Through the years, there has been a steady increase in the amount of commercial activity on that road, which has often led to clashes with developers and county commissioners, who tried to toe a fine line between preserving the residential aspect of the community and still paving the way for stores and offices.

That clash came up again during Wednesday's land use hearing when a representative for applicant Mohan Kutty asked county commissioners to rezone three Spring Hill residential lots, totaling 3 acres in size, to build two 8,000-square-foot single-story professional office buildings.

The property is located on the south side of Spring Hill Drive, east of Glenridge Drive.

Twice before, commissioners unanimously denied the rezoning request after determining the request was incompatible with the surrounding area and inconsistent with the comprehensive plan.

But this time around, commissioners approved it, but with conditions.

One of those conditions will require the applicant to provide adequate lighting at the intersection. That could mean a traffic signal if so determined by the county engineer's department.

Susan Fisher, who lives in the neighborhood, expressed concerns this office professional building would create traffic problems, even with the new conditions on the project.

"Our main concern is basically it is a residential area and that's how we like to keep it," Fisher said.
County Engineer Charles Mixson said the facility would meet the county's safety concerns and design guidelines.

"This area of Spring Hill Drive does have traffic problems," said George Popovich, an advocate for senior citizens in Hernando County. "A (professional building) encroaching on a residential area would bring more traffic to the area."
Popovich said there are many seniors who live in the neighborhood who could be adversely affected by the rezoning.

It is important, he said, that areas be set aside in the county for residential.

Approving this rezoning could also set a precedent for more development along Spring Hill Drive, he said.

What followed was a discussion about the need for more analysis of commercial activity along Spring Hill Drive.

"Spring Hill Drive is no longer a residential road," County Commissioner John Druzbick said. "It is a four-laned road."

Druzbick said he believed the developer was taking the necessary steps to ensure public safety.

One of those steps is to realign a portion of the existing alley near the site so that it would allow access to the site on Lema Drive to the north.

Still, County Commissioner Jeff Stabins said the county needs to look at the infrastructure needs along Spring Hill Drive.

"We've got to figure out some kind of plan for these properties - going forward - that's a win-win for everybody," Stabins said.

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

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