On Sept. 20, 2017, the Hernando County Planning Department received an application and documentation describing a large-scale development project, which is to be called “Spring Center.”
The undeveloped land for the project consists of 440 acres beginning immediately west and south of Explorer K-8, extending west to River Road and south to Running Oak Court. The eastern-most border will run adjacent to Jason Road and Greynolds Avenue.
The “Town Center” layout is expected to include 3,000 new residences, consisting of single family homes and multi-family structures, with the highest density housing closest to the commercial hub. The plan also includes a park immediately west of the school, and expansion area for the school to the south. Several “pocket parks” are also planned throughout the area.
New roadways are planned to accommodate vehicle traffic on each side of the development, and internal roadways are planned for cyclists and pedestrians. Also included in the plan for the central hub, a Community cultural center, public art, outside seating, bicycle racks and tool stands, and public bathrooms.
In the application documentation, plans for “Transit Oriented Development” are detailed, stating that “a transit center will be architecturally and functionally incorporated into the project core and Hernando County’s bus routes will be reviewed for inclusion of Spring Center as a major feature.”
At the Jan. 9, 2018 Board of County Commissioners meeting, Hernando county resident Barbara Bartlett spoke about her attendance of a recent public meeting that was held by the Planning Department. On the subject of 3000 new housing units, Bartlett said, “(planning on) 2.5 people per unit, with one car for each family – which we know is not normal — that’s 3000 more cars on Northcliffe, Mariner and the surrounding area.”
Bartlett stated that even though this project is in a very early stage, she’s spoken to several area residents about the project, giving an account of a resident who purchased a home recently because the home “backs up to the woods.” Another recently moved from St. Petersburg to avoid housing and traffic congestion. She ended by saying, “… each story is a little different; not happy.”
Assistant County Administrator Ron Pianta addressed the timeline for the project, correctly reported by Bartlett to be in a very early stage, and said that the project would first need to be approved by State government due to its size and potential impact.
Afterward, five public hearings will be held, three with Planning and Zoning and two with the Board of County Commissioners. Pianta also stated that official plans have not yet come forward, so the number of housing units is still undetermined.
Addressing citizen statements regarding desiring undeveloped land adjacent to their properties, Commissioner Steve Champion said, “That’s not a valid reason to be against something. If you don’t own the property, you don’t have a right to tell (the property owner) what they can do with their property.”
County Attorney Garth Coller expanded on Champion’s remarks, as they’ve been addressed many times in issues of development. “There is no expectation of permanence to do [sic] with land. Land is always perceived in the governmental perspective … to be growing and changing.” Coller added, “There is one sure way to guarantee your use, and it’s to buy the property yourself.”
Concerned residents will be meeting at the Press Box, a local restaurant, on Feb. 13, 2018 at 6:30PM to discuss the proposed development.