ARC Nature Coast To Open Facility

The ARC Nature Coast received a special exception use permit Monday to build an educational facility on 6.3 acres on the southwest corner of Mariner Boulevard and Partridge Street (about two streets south of State Road 50).

The proposed 12,000-square-foot center will be used as a training facility for adults with developmental disabilities and will double as a hurricane shelter.

ARC Executive Director Mark Barry said there will be 8-12 staffers on hand to serve 40-65 people at the facility. The hours of operation will be limited to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, except when it is being operated as a hurricane shelter or during special activities.

Robert Shaw, who lives on nearby Curtis Street, complained the facility is in a bad location because it is nestled in a bird sanctuary area. Shaw also said there would be added traffic congestion.

"Why did they pick this spot instead of somewhere else?" he asked.

County commissioners last November donated the land to ARC, a nonprofit organization.

Also at Monday's P&Z meeting:

•Board members approved a conditional plat for the Wesleyan Bible Conference Association, which is planning an RV park on 28.5 acres at State Road 50 and Redbud Lane.

The park would include 19 RV lots, with a minimum of 3,500 square feet and two storage buildings.

•Aspen Development of Hernando Inc. got permission to rezone 1.1 acres at Nicasio Jay Avenue and Wood Owl Avenue, east of U.S. 19, for a welding shop and light manufacturing facility with outside storage.

•The P&Z board voted 5-0 to approve a developer's request to develop an RV park on 25 acres at U.S. 41 and Ancient Trail. The request calls for a minimum of 197 individual RV spaces, of which 54 units will be used for park models.

•The board elected Robert Widmar its new P&Z chairman for 2009. Lisa Hammond is the vice chair.