P&Z Approves Spring Hill Development

Ernest Washburn, who lives in Lake in the Woods, questioned the need for more commercial activity around the entrance to his Spring Hill community, especially since the economy is forcing many stores out of business.
If he had wanted this much congestion, Washburn said, he'd move to Pasco County.
Several other residents and homeowners' association representatives also spoke at Monday's planning and zoning meeting against a plan to develop 72 acres on the southwest corner of U.S. 19 and Lake in the Woods Drive with a mix of commercial activity and a 225-unit senior living facility.
But planning commissioners voted 5-0 to rezone the parcel, albeit with an extensive laundry list of stipulations to ease traffic flow at that entrance.
In fact, P&Z Chairman Robert Widmar said he believes conditions could improve with the addition of a traffic signal, lane changes and other improvements necessitated by the development.
Flag Mets 1 LLC is planning a 394,000-square-foot mixed use of commercial stores and a three-story, 225-unit senior living facility.
The Spring Hill site would contain 30 acres of commercial and office space use, including nine outparcels.
The proposed uses for the property include a drive-in restaurant, tire and auto accessory store, and printing-publishing facility, according to a staff report.
Next month, the P&Z recommendation goes before county commissioners, the final authority on rezoning decisions.
Also Monday:
Planning and zoning commissioners voted 5-0 to revise a master plan for an automobile dealer establishment on the west side of U.S. 19, north of Boston Avenue.