Commissioner Jay Hurley, who voted with three others for the project, said residents have been referring to it as a “Silver Lake project.” It is, in fact, a County Road 44 development, he said.
“If you think this is the only development coming on 44 between Leesburg and Eustis, you’ve got another thing coming,” Hurley said. “There are 1,000 people a day moving to Florida every day. Not all of them are 55 and older and moving to The Villages, though it looks like it.”
Leesburg is trying to bring in business and residents to boost the economy, Hurley added.
“We don’t want to be the armpit of Lake County, to have everybody living anywhere but Leesburg, he continued. We don’t want to be the only city known for its crime rate or for the negativity that seems to be brought up a lot.”
Leesburg commission to take up Silver Lake Drive rezoning Monday
Frank Stanfield
LEESBURG – Leesburg city commissioners Monday will take up the controversial, proposed 265-home development that will butt up against million-dollar homes on scenic Silver Lake Drive.
“This, to me, is bad development,” said resident Dr. Richard Bosshardt at one of the city meetings in September.
A large crowd is expected to gather for the 5:30 p.m. meeting at the Venetian Community Center on Dozier Circle.
Residents have voiced concerns over traffic and fears of decreasing property values. The proposal is for 83.5 acres east of County Road 44 and south of Clark Street.