By MICHAEL D. BATES

BROOKSVILLE - Planning and zoning commissioners last month shot it down.

County staffers recommended denial.

But at Wednesday's Land Use Hearing, county commissioners salvaged a developer's plan to restore an empty building in the heart of a residential Spring Hill community.

And all indications are that the building will be a restaurant.

The vote was 4-1 to approve the rezoning. However, commissioners asked the developer to return next month and present a list of performance conditions that would better specify the building uses.

Specifically, commissioners want more information as to hours of operation, landscape design and intensity of use.

A handful of residents spoke against Norino & Balsam Properties LLC's request to convert the former Lion's Club at the south end of Hallcrest Avenue, east of Waterfall Drive, into a small restaurant.

The building, which was used for public meetings, receptions and banquets, would expand from 8,200 square feet to over 16,000. The Lions Club no longer uses the facility. But residents don't want patrons driving through their neighborhood, endangering residents.

County planners were concerned there was no direct access to the 5-acre site from a major thoroughfare and it is too isolated.

Todd Pressman, spokesman for the developer, said he didn't envision a major chain restaurant moving in.

Commissioner Diane Rowden believes a restaurant there is incompatible with the neighborhood and voted against the rezoning.

But Commissioner Chris Kingsley said an empty building tends to degrade a neighborhood and that the county has an obligation to improve the site.