CLERMONT, Fla. – David versus Goliath. That’s how a group of homeowners in Clermont describes their battle with KB Home Orlando. It’s a battle that will be decided by Lake County Commissioners on April 7.
KB Home Orlando wants to build 79 homes on a 40-acre parcel along Log House Road and call the new subdivision Crescent Pines.
The problem? The current zoning only allows 49 homes and nearby residents say they’re opposed to a zoning change for several reasons.
Gail Cisneros has lived in the Martin’s Landing subdivision for five years. Her backyard is adjacent to the wooded area.
“Just the calmness that these woods brings to us, is just relaxing all day long,” said Cisneros. She says when she bought her home, it was love at first sight.
“Absolutely. The greenery, the fact that we have just our little private oasis here. You know, it’s just calming. Just fun to be out here,” said Cisneros.
Cisneros says their oasis may soon be in jeopardy. With KB Home Orlando asking Lake County Commissioners to change the zoning on the 40 acre wooded parcel to build 79 home instead of the current limit of 49 homes, Cisneros and her neighbors are worried about the increased density leading to increased flooding in the area. Additionally, neighbors tell News 6, they are worried about traffic impacts along Log House Road and how emergency vehicles would be able to access the proposed development.
“The whole community is at real risk because everything gets flooded down, everything will continue to flow downhill,” said Bill Decker, whose home of 19 years also backs up to the property.
Decker says the land in question is on a 40-foot slope that ends right in their backyards. Cisneros adds that several neighbors have already experienced flooding.
“I don’t think they’ve considered what happens when it rains for more than just an hour. The water will be running into our property and that is our biggest concern,” said Cisneros.
The zoning battle began back in October when Cisneros first noticed signs posted about the zoning request.
A court has already weighed in, reducing the number of proposed homes from 85 to 79 and requiring KB Home to increase the size of their retention ponds by 25%, but neighbors say that’s not enough.
“I would be fine with 49 homes, because that’s consistent with the entire area” said Decker. “As Gail said, proper buffer between homes, proper buffer between the communities would be appropriate.”
News 6 E-mailed an attorney for KB Home Orlando who has represented them during this process as well as all five Lake County Commissioners asking for comment on this proposal.
So far, we’ve only heard back from Commissioner Kirby Smith’s office saying because this has involved litigation, they cannot comment on the issue at this time.
The Lake County Commission meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, at the Lake County Administration Building in Tavares.