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Community and Environmental Concerns Halt Homosassa RV Park Development

Citrus County commissioners voted 4-1 to reject a developer’s proposal to build a 196-space RV park on a 29.6-acre property in Homosassa, Florida. 

The decision came after extensive deliberations and public opposition, with key concerns raised about the potential environmental, traffic, and community impacts of the project.

“It’s just too intense and too incompatible,” Commissioner Holly Davis said, who joined the majority in opposing the application.

Commissioner Jeff Kinnard, the lone supporter of the project, argued that it was appropriate for the area and posed no significant risks to the environment or wildlife. However, his motion to approve the request failed to gain a second.

The proposed RV park, located along West Kingston Drive, sparked significant controversy due to the presence of wetlands and the potential for flooding in the area. Residents voiced concerns that the development could damage the property’s delicate ecosystems and disrupt the area’s natural balance.

Commissioner Diana Finegan motioned to deny the application submitted by Nomad RVR. Her motion passed, reflecting alignment with the county’s Planning and Development Commission (PDC), which unanimously recommended denial in November based on inconsistencies with the comprehensive plan and land development code.

Local residents raised a range of objections during the meeting, citing fears of increased traffic on U.S. 19, potential destruction of animal habitats, and diminished privacy for nearby homes. 

Concerns also included noise pollution and the possibility of litter from visitors impacting the community’s character.

“There’s no shortage of land in Citrus County for well-placed, well-planned RV resorts, but this is definitely not one of them,” Sally Krasny, a resident living near the proposed site, said, as reported by Citrus County Chronicle

The area’s environmental characteristics, including the presence of wetlands and flood-prone zones, were central to the debate. John Cortalano Jr., who is constructing a home near the site, also expressed alarm at the project’s potential to disrupt the area’s natural water systems and wildlife.

Commissioner Kinnard sought to counter these concerns, arguing that wildlife would adapt to the changes brought by development. “Wildlife on vacant property, on virgin property, is going to do what wildlife did on every one of our properties when it was cleared for our houses to be built: they adapt or they move on,” Kinnard said.

For campground operators and RV park owners, the rejection of the Homosassa RV park proposal underscores the importance of engaging with local communities and carefully evaluating project feasibility. 

Addressing environmental factors, community objections, and compliance with local regulations is essential to ensure projects align with the area’s needs and expectations.

Proactively addressing these considerations can help build community support and avoid potential obstacles during the approval process.

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Hi, you might find this article from Modern Campground interesting: Community and Environmental Concerns Halt Homosassa RV Park Development! This is the link: https://moderncampground.com/usa/florida/community-and-environmental-concerns-halt-homosassa-rv-park-development/