Get Ready For 3,700 More Homes

BROOKSVILLE - County commissioners and planning staffers were under no illusions Wednesday about the enormity of the Lake Hideaway development, proposed for U.S. 19 in northwest Hernando County.

With 3,700 homes planned, commissioners had to look at this development even closer because it falls into the category of a development of regional impact, or DRI.

Planning Director Ron Pianta admitted at yesterday's Land Use Hearing that large developments such as this can be overwhelming. But, he told commissioners, they also allow the county more say-so during the master planning stage and greater safeguards over the long term.

That argument, combined with the rock-solid reputation of the property owner, Tommy Bronson, was enough to persuade commissioners to vote 4-1 to accept the development order for Lake Hideaway.

County Commissioner David Russell said residential growth in that sparsely developed section of the county is inevitable, so it makes sense to latch onto a well-detailed plan that the Lake Hideaway developers are proposing rather than parcel out the property piecemeal in the future.

"This project epitomizes responsible planning," Russell said.

And so said his colleagues, who gushed over the amount of road, water, sewer and other infrastructure planning that went into this plan. It even received a positive review from the Withlacoochee Regional Planning Council.

"It's going to be a premier development in my opinion," Commissioner Rose Rocco said.

Only Commissioner Diane Rowden voted against Lake Hideaway, citing the continued housing market downturn, growing number of foreclosures and lack of immediate building plans by the developer.

"I can't support 3,700 new homes," Rowden said.

Hernando County already has thousands of homes sitting empty, she said. Also, the development order calls for build-out of this project by 2013 or later, depending on the status of the housing market.

"The people out there have basically said, 'Enough's enough,' as to these massive plans of growth," Rowden said.

By approving this prematurely only places a heavier cost burden on the county because it cannot adequately anticipate the infrastructure needs so far in advance, she said.

But Joel Tew, an attorney representing the developer, said once the housing market comes back, people will flock to Lake Hideaway.

Unlike other states, Florida follows a V-shaped housing curve, which allows for a faster recovery.

"We crash harder but come back quicker," he said.

The 885-acre Lake Hideaway will be located on the east side of U.S. 19, about four miles north of State Road 50. The northern boundary is Hexam Road and the southern boundary is Star Road.

Lake Hideaway would wrap around Whitehurst Pond, which was once a popular spot for mud-boggers. The developer is planning to enhance the pond to make it more of a focal point for the community.

The eastern boundary of the property would be Weeping Willow Road, which could be extended to Hexam.

The application sets aside 50,000 square feet for retail use and 150,000 square feet of office space. The developer intends to set aside more than 100 acres for open space and habitat protection.

He also envisions a future school site, possible fire or police station and satellite government offices.