LEESBURG, Fla. – Residents in the Silver Lake area say a proposed housing development near County Road 44 could worsen flooding and traffic problems along a road they believe is already overburdened.
The plan calls for 23 single-family homes on 10 acres near Leesburg, behind the Silver Lake Springs neighborhood. Residents are expected to share their concerns with the developer during a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Friday in Umatilla.
Neighbors say County Road 44, a two-lane roadway, already sees heavy traffic and drainage issues during routine rainstorms. Some residents said water pools on the road and runoff from nearby development washes clay and debris onto the roadway.
“You can still see even the clay from the development that gets washed over,” William Josh said. “So CR 44, when it rains, it’s very dangerous because literally the water pools on CR 44.”
Residents also pointed to another development already taking shape across County Road 44. They said additional homes could add more runoff to nearby streets and properties, including areas along Silver Lake Drive.
Rita DaSilva Collado, a Leesburg resident, spoke against the proposal during a May planning and zoning meeting. She said even typical afternoon showers are causing water to rise close to homes.
“In the normal just afternoon shower and the weekend — no, not a storm — the water almost reaches out to their front doors now,” DaSilva Collado said. “And so we’re very worried, of course, about hurricane season.”
DaSilva Collado said residents were told when they bought their homes that flood insurance was not required because the area is not in a flood zone. She said nearby development has changed how water moves through the area.
“Except now, the amount of development that’s happening around us is actually altering that landscape,” she said.
The planning and zoning committee voted against the project in May after hearing from residents.
The developer said in a statement that he plans to be transparent and informative and will answer residents’ questions directly in person at Friday’s meeting.
City leaders are expected to consider the proposed housing development Monday.