[Goldwingnut]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Here is hoping that the members of the zoning board are folks of integrity and not developer puppets. I can not claim to have read the zoning bylaws for the HH area, but I have been involved in several zoning matters over the course of my lifetime. Typically to get an area re-zoned, or to get a special permit that circumvents zoning bylaws, the proposed use has to be in harmony with the existing neighborhood. I find it highly unlikely that a reasonable argument can be made that a 286 unit rental apartment complex would be in harmony with the existing neighborhood? But what do I know?

The zoning policies are confusing at best and can be found at Sumter County, FL - Official Website .

As this appears it will be a HDR in a DRI/PUD (I had alphabet soup for dinner last night) the discussion should be interesting. From my initial read of the policies, they are centered around positive growth for the county and minimizing negative environmental and economic impact with flexibility being stressed. The one area I'm am seeing conflict with is the access (roadway) requirement of being within 1/2 mile of a state highway system, but again this is only my first read and I have a lot more to dig into on this topic.

I think the "developer's puppet" idea is way out of hand, the people making decisions have to weigh their decisions on many factors that affect both the immediate area but the county as a whole as well. Unfortunately, most, or at least the most vocal, opponents to this and many other things happening in Sumter County take the position of this being about "me" and "right here, right now". The decision makers don't have that luxury, they must look to the long term and overall good, the goal is a win-win. They are however not infallible.