Larry Schmidt

The commission reviewed and recommended approval for a conditional use permit for a new professional dental office building in the Central Business District. Additionally, the commission recommended approval for two Land Development Code amendments: one to allow sidewalk cafes in the Central Business District and another to permit the use of electronic signage on monument signs. The meeting also included informational updates regarding a new fire station shared with Lake County and upcoming board appointments.

The commission reviewed several land use and development requests. Key items included the approval of small-scale comprehensive plan amendments for 1107 W. Minneola Avenue and the Silver Fox property. A rezoning request for a used car sales lot at the Silver Fox site was denied, while a large-scale comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning for the Hartwood Marsh Subdivision were approved. A request to amend a conditional use permit for the Heritage Hills Subdivision was tabled for further review. Additionally, the commission approved an amendment to the land development code regarding requirements for canopy trees.

The commission reviewed several conditional use permit requests, including approvals for house of worship sites for Lifestyle Community Church and Clermont Central Church, and the denial of a proposed 108-unit apartment development at the Woodwinds site due to neighborhood concerns. Additionally, the commission recommended approval for a comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning, and a conditional use permit for the Lakeview Village Townhomes project, and approved the transmittal of an amendment to the Intergovernmental Coordination Element to include the Interlocal Service Boundary Agreement with Lake County.

The board addressed several code enforcement cases regarding property violations, including unsanitary swimming pools, overgrowth of weeds and grass, and general exterior maintenance. In one case, the board imposed a daily fine for continued non-compliance. In another case, the board imposed a daily fine for violations related to pool sanitation and property maintenance. A third case involving similar violations was found to be in current compliance, and the board determined no fine would be assessed at that time provided the property remains maintained.

The board addressed two code enforcement cases. Case 14-981 involved unlawful structural conversions and unpermitted water and sewer line extensions at a residential property, resulting in a motion to find the respondent in violation with a daily fine starting after April 15, 2014. Case 14-983 concerned an expired permit for interior renovations, also resulting in a motion to find the respondent in violation with a daily fine starting after April 15, 2014. Additionally, the board decided to postpone the nominations for Chair and Vice-Chair until February.