BOCC

By LISA MACNEIL 
[email protected]

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) unanimously voted down a request for rezoning by Roundstone Development to build an apartment complex on property bordering the northeast corner of Trenton Avenue and Forest Road.  The Planning And Zoning Commission voted 5-0 to deny the petition.  Following the planning and zoning decision, Roundstone submitted a formal request on July 12, 2021, to reduce the number of units from 80 to 72.  

At a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting, Jim Davis, County Extension Director for UF/IFAS Extension for Hernando and Sumter Counties, gave an update on some of their 2020 highlights and what they're working on during 2021. He also highlighted some of their staff members. 

By LISA MACNEIL 
[email protected]
 
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted unanimously via a roll-call vote at the June 8, 2021 meeting to adopt an ordinance for the Economic Development Investment Incentive Program (EDIIP).  The ordinance will be Article III of Hernando County Code Chapter 11.5.

The Brooksville City Council voted 3-2 on May 3, 2021 to deny a rezoning request for the property more commonly known as Milk-A-Way Farms. Croom Road Land Holdings, LLC has been seeking to rezone and develop the 442-acre property, located on the east side of Broad Street (U.S. 41) and north side of Croom since 2018. 

Mayor Pat Brayton, Vice Mayor Robert Battista and Council Member Betty Erhard voted to deny the current request.

The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) discussed, however did not vote on a new panhandling ordinance.  At the February 23, 2021 meeting, the board agreed that they will create a solid plan to limit the areas in which panhandling will be allowed. The main issue to consider carefully is that such an ordinance may be unconstitutional. Panhandling and begging, like other forms of charitable solicitation, is a form of protected speech that occurs in a public forum such as sidewalk spaces. 

Hernando County has received funding for the third phase of the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act Program from the State of Florida, Division of Emergency Management.  County Administrator Jeff Rogers introduced the spending plan at the Board Of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting on January 26, 2021 for the board to discuss.   The commission approved the spending plan unanimously.

A first public hearing was held at the regular Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting on Jan. 26, 2021, to allow the county administration to move their offices into a building at the Brooksville - Tampa Regional Airport (BKV).  This move to 15470 Flight Path Drive (the Tracers Building) will also constitute an expansion of the Hernando County Seat.

Charles R. "Chuck" Smith passed away at his Brooksville home on Sunday, January 3, 2021.  He was 92.

By LISA MACNEIL
[email protected]

On January 12, 2021 the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will hear a request by developer D. Dewey Mitchell to approve a revised Master Plan to allow for 234 homesites to be built north of Village Van Gogh.  The property is located at the northern terminus of Fenian Drive, eastern terminus of Killian Street and south side of Highgrove Road.

Several residents in the area are resistant to this new development, and at least 45 have signed a petition against it.