On the agenda: Groveland meeting — data center (Oct 1)

City of Groveland
E.L. PURYEAR BUILDING
243 SOUTH LAKE AVENUE
GROVELAND, FLORIDA 34736
(352) 429-2141

PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MEETING
October 1, 2026
5:00 P.M.

PUBLIC NOTICE AND AGENDA OF THE CITY OF GROVELAND PLANNING &
ZONING BOARD MEETING SCHEDULED TO CONVENE AT 5:00 P.M. THURSDAY
OCTOBER 1, 2026, IN THE E.L. PURYEAR BUILDING LOCATED AT 243 S. LAKE
AVENUE, GROVELAND, FLORIDA 34736.
Please note: As an alternate option, the public can attend the October 1, 2026, Planning &
Zoning Board Meeting virtually. The virtual meeting will be in “watch/listen mode” only;
no public comments will be taken virtually. Instructions to participate have been posted to
the City’s website under “public notices” at www.groveland-fl.gov
*If you would like additional information regarding an agenda items, please contact The
Planning Division via email at [email protected].
AGENDA
Board Members: Chairman Zach Decker, Vice-Chairman Robin Hoover, Kerry Lambert,
Michael Archer, Brandan Dixon, Marty Proctor, Alisha Kissee, Bill Mathias (non-voting)
Other Attendees: Andrew Landis Interim Community & Economic Development Director;
DeWayne Jones, Planning & Zoning Division Manager; Alan Booker, Senior Planner; Benjamin
Schafer, City Attorney; Maria Ramirez, Recording Secretary
CALL TO ORDER
Roll call and determination of quorum
OPENING CEREMONIES
⮚ Pledge of Allegiance
⮚ Pledge of Conduct
CONSENT AGENDA
Consideration of Approval:
A. September 3, 2026, Planning & Zoning Board Meeting Minutes
PRESENTATIONS
A.
B.

DeWayne Jones, Planning & Zoning Division Manager: Development Activity and Public
Infrastructure Update
Alan Booker, Senior Planner: Chapter 4 Housing Element & Chapter 11 Property Rights Element of
Comprehensive Plan

STAFF BRIEFINGS
A.
B.

Utility Development Review Code Amendment Update
Builders & Developers Forum Update

PUBLIC COMMENT
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD COMMENTS
STAFF COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT

CONSENT AGENDA

City of Groveland
Planning & Zoning Board Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 3, 2026
The City of Groveland Planning and Zoning Board held a meeting on Thursday, September
3, 2026. Board Member Chairman Zach Decker called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. The
following Board Members were present: Zach Decker, Robin Hoover, Kerry Lambert and
Michael Archer. City Officials present were City Attorney Benjermin Schafer; Andrew Landis,
Interim Community & Economic Development Director; DeWayne Jones, Planning and
Zoning Manager; Alan Booker, Senior Planner; and Maria Ramirez, Recording Secretary.
Absent: Board Members Alisha Kissee, Brandan Dixion, Marty Proctor and Bill Mathias

CONSENT AGENDA
Consideration of Approval:
A. August 6, 2026, Planning & Zoning Board Meeting Minutes
Motion:
Board Member Robin Hoover motioned to recommend approval of July 9,
2026, minutes; Seconded by Board Member Kerry Lambert.
All Board Members present voted aye.

FLORIDA HOUSE BILL UPDATES
City Attorney Benjamin Schaefer provided an overview of the 2026 Florida legislative
session and special sessions, focusing on legislation relevant to the Community
Development Department and the Planning and Zoning Board.
Property Tax Amendment and Companion Legislation
Mr. Schaefer summarized Joint Resolution 1F, identified as Amendment 3, which proposes
changes to homestead property tax exemptions and includes a five-year residency
requirement for the increased exemption.
He also reviewed Senate Bill 4F, including changes to the calculation of the maximum
millage rate and the requirement for a two-thirds vote of the governing body for certain
increases above the rollback rate.
Land Planning, Development, and Building Legislation
Mr. Schaefer reviewed HB 927, including requirements for development pre-application
consultation programs, registries of qualified contractors or firms, limitations on
administrative plat and replat requirements, and restrictions on using environmental

conditions to delay or deny building permits unless supported by adopted regulations, plans,
covenants, board decisions, or applicable law.
He reviewed HB 399, including requirements that development permit and development
order fees be tied to direct and reasonable indirect costs, compatibility standards for
residential uses, limitations on compatibility-based denials, treatment of off-site constructed
homes, public school interlocal agreement requirements, and composting facility protections.
He reviewed HB 803, including single-family permit expiration timelines, manufactured
building provisions, limits on inspection fees, exemptions for certain lower-value work,
temporary hurricane and flood protection barriers, retaining wall permitting, glazing
requirements, uniform building permit applications, and private provider inspection and plan
review provisions.
Affordable Housing, Utilities, Historic Cemeteries, and Related Bills
Mr. Schaefer summarized Live Local Act amendments, including use of public and qualifying
religious-institution property, farm-operation exclusions, setback limitations, selection of
applicable statutory versions by applicants, and anti-discrimination provisions in land use
and development decisions related to affordable housing.
He also summarized legislation concerning on-site sewage treatment and disposal system
permitting, data centers and other large-load customers, historic African American
cemeteries, excess building permit fund uses, local housing assistance plans, mobile
homeowners, and areas of critical state concern.

Board members asked questions regarding the State Department of Environmental
Protection, the $7,500 building-permit exemption, possible notice or filing practices, overlap
with notice-of-commencement requirements, homeowner association issues, the Florida
Building Commission’s uniform permit application process, and tracking of actual inspection
costs under HB 803.
Mr. Schaefer stated that he would double-check whether any filing or notice is required for
qualifying work below the permit threshold and whether notice-of-commencement
requirements overlap with that threshold.
The Chair requested additional information on HB 803 and how the City will handle actual
incurred costs, billing, and potential staff time tracking to ensure fees are fiscally responsible.

NEW BUSINESS
1. Recommendation of approval on Resolution 2026-45: Groveland Place
Condominium Variance
Recording Secretary Maria Ramirez read the headnote into the record as follows:

RESOLUTION 2026-45
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GROVELAND,
FLORIDA, GRANTING VARIANCES FROM SECTION 133-67 OF THE CITY OF
GROVELAND LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO ALLOW A REDUCTION IN THE
REQUIRED TYPE C LANDSCAPE BUFFER ALONG THE SR-50 FRONTAGE OF THE
GROVELAND BUSINESS PLAZA DEVELOPMENT AND TO REDUCE THE
REQUIRED LANDSCAPE PLANTINGS; GRANTING VARIANCES FROM THOSE
PROVISIONS OF THE CITY OF GROVELAND LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE RELATING TO IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
RATIO, OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS, AND SETBACK REQUIREMENTS DUE TO
IMPACTS OF FDOT ACQUISITION OF SR-50 FRONTAGE OF THE GROVELAND
BUSINESS PLAZA; PROVIDING CONDITIONS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
Applicant representative Paul Mazzillo, engineer for the property owners, addressed the
Board. He explained that the term “damaged condition” referred to the reduced post-taking
condition of the site and landscape buffer, not to damaged plant material intended to remain
unrepaired.
Mr. Mazzillo stated that the proposed variance is limited to impacts caused by the FDOT
taking and that the applicant is not seeking open-ended relief for future development of the
vacant lot.
He explained that the existing code requires more landscaping than can reasonably fit within
the remaining five-foot buffer and that the proposed row of hedges is intended to fit within
the reduced area.
In response to questions, Mr. Mazzillo stated that, if the variance is granted, no parking
would be lost; without the variance, compliance with the full buffer requirement would
remove approximately 66 front-row parking spaces, with only limited replacement parking
possible.
Mr. Mazzillo stated he was not aware of a current proposed development for the vacant lot
near O’Reilly, which is owned by the Ace Hardware property owner, but noted that the
variance is intended to preserve rights related to FDOT impacts.

Board members discussed the meaning of “damaged condition,” the preservation or
donation of existing landscaping, runoff impacts, FDOT landscaping plans along the trail,
potential loss of parking spaces, and the status of the vacant lot near O’Reilly.
Vice Chair Hoover stated that she observed approximately 13 trees and an estimated 300 to
400 bushes on the site and asked whether existing landscaping could be donated, relocated,
or otherwise preserved instead of discarded.

Mr. Mazzillo explained that irrigation and root impacts caused by the FDOT work may make
preservation difficult but stated he would discuss the possibility of donation or preservation
with the property owners.
Mr. Mazzillo stated that the front portion of the property drains toward the FDOT right-of-way
and that the project should not affect the wetland conservation area in the rear, with
standard protective measures such as silt fencing required during construction.
The Board discussed FDOT’s future landscaping along the trail, including information that
landscaping may be proposed in some areas, but specific plans are not expected until 2028.
A Board member also noted the presence of a semi-truck turning onto Villa City Road in a
presentation image despite existing weight restrictions.
Staff responded to the landscaping preservation discussion by noting similar issues at the
Public Safety Building, where live oaks and crepe myrtles may be affected by the FDOT trail
taking. Staff explained that underground utilities, root impacts, and uncertain survival rates
can make relocation difficult, although the City attempts to preserve or relocate landscaping
where feasible.

PUBLIC COMMENT
There are no public comments.

Motion:
Board Member Robin Hoover motioned to approve Resolution 2026-45;
Seconded by Board Member Kerry Lambert.
All Board Members present voted aye.

PUBLIC COMMENT
There are no public comments.

PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
There are no public comments.

STAFF COMMENTS
Interim Community and Economic Development Director Andrew Landis announced a
campaign to support conservation of Wilson Island and stated that a determinative vote by
the Lake County Public Lands and Trails Acquisition Advisory Committee is scheduled for
September 24 at the Lake County Board of County Commissioners meeting location in
Tavares, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Mr. Landis stated that the City is seeking letters of support and public attendance for
comment and that staff will provide the Board with a flyer, images, a letter-writing packet,
and information regarding a letter-writing lunch and learn at the Groveland Exchange.
Mr. Landis explained that Wilson Island is part of the Cherry Lake Village community, has an
approved preliminary plat, and has a site development plan under review, while the owners
have expressed interest in conservation if funding can be secured.
He stated that the City previously pursued mitigation bank funding and a legislative budget
line item without success, and that Lake County voters approved a conservation lands bond
in November 2024. The City is seeking $12 million from county bond funds toward an
estimated $18 million acquisition, with hopes that the remaining $6 million could come from
the state.
In response to questions, Mr. Landis stated that bridge permitting and construction costs had
been considered in appraisals, that DEP had indicated the bridge could be permitted, and
that a conservation scenario would likely involve a pedestrian and bicycle bridge with public
safety access rather than a larger bridge designed for full fire-truck access.

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Mr. Schaefer will verify whether any notice, filing, or notice-of-commencement
requirement applies to qualifying work below the $7,500 building-permit
threshold.
Staff will provide additional information regarding HB 803, including how the City
may track and bill actual incurred inspection costs and application-related staff
time.
Staff will provide the Planning and Zoning Board with the latest available
Highway 50 bypass or realignment designs.
Staff will provide the Board with Mr. Schaefer’s legislative update presentation.
Staff will provide Wilson Island campaign materials, including the flyer, images,
letter-writing packet, and lunch-and-learn information.

ADJOURNMENT
Motion:
Motion made by Board Member Robin Hoover to adjourn the meeting at 7:02
p.m.; Seconded by Board Member Alisha Kissee.
Attest:
Zach Decker, Chairman
Maria Ramirez,

Recording Secretary Maria Ramirez