Take Action

Citrus Conservation Report
Two hearings in August

Conservation Co-Chair Maxine Connor
speaks before Citrus County Commission

Adventure Coast Citrus Conservation Co-chair Robin Orlandi reports two pending development applications before the Citrus County Commission with hearing dates in August that people should pay attention to and prepare/submit comments.

The first application is set for hearing before the Planning and Development Commission on August 20, 2026 at 9am at the Lecanto Government building, 3600 West Sovereign Path, Room 166, Lecanto, Fl 34442. Pigeon-Ardurra LLC, on behalf of Bravo Land Group, LLC, requested a Planned Unit Development amendment (PUD2733) to the Betz Farm Development of Regional Impact (DRI). The amendment proposes 1,466 dwelling units at 3406 N Turkey Oak Drive in Crystal River. It is tentatively set for hearing before the County Commission on October 13, 2026, at 5:05pm.

Betz farm property in Crystal River was provided to the county for conservation as part of a mitigation agreement years ago. The parcel is heavily wooded, features wetlands, wildlife, and specimen trees and is within the SPZ for Kings Bay. This large development will negatively impact springs recharge and demand significant increases in water withdrawal. Several past attempts at tentative purchase agreements between developers and the county failed. This past May, BOCC terminated the current applicant’s contract due to the buyer “failing to submit its Land Use applications within the time frame allotted.” But a few weeks later, under threat of legal action, the BOCC reinstated it-citing the potential costs of lawsuits—in a controversial about-face that has generated significant public attention and calls for the parcel to remain as undeveloped land for public use and recreation. The Betz Farm parcel should be zoned as conservation land for Citrus County to protect local springs, wildlife, and groundwater resources, and to offset increasing rates of development in the Crystal River and the 19/98 corridor, including already approved local projects as well as future planned developments of regional impact like the final extensions of the Suncoast Parkway.

Concerned residents should plan to attend public hearings for this project and make their support of conservation as a priority heard. Submit written comments at least 10 days in advance of any hearing to the Office of Growth Management at:
https://www.citruscounty.gov/departments/growth_management/land_development/index.php

In-Person Office: Lecanto Government Building, 3600 W Sovereign Path, Suite 267, Lecanto, FL 34461 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or
For in-person meetings at the Lecanto Government Building (3600 W Sovereign Path, Lecanto), fill out a speaker form when you arrive with your name, address, and application number. Time limits are typically 3 minutes for individuals and 5 minutes for organizations.

The second application is set for hearing by the County Commission on August 25th, 2026 at 5pm at the Citrus County Courthouse, 110 N. Apopka Ave, Room 100, Inverness, FL 3450. Kimley-Horn on behalf of Pulte Home Company, LLC has requested a Planned Unit Development (PUD-2026-00002) called River Oaks to allow up to 667 residential units on 267.2 acres at 6450 N Carl G Rose Hwy (SR-200) in Hernando. The Planning and Development Commission (PDC) denied this request on July 2nd, 2026, based on intensity of use, incompatibility with existing residential use, and unacceptably high Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) of 65%. The parcel’s zoning (low-density residential) has an ISR limit of 35%. Proximity to surface water resources (Tsala-Apopka and Hernando lakes) and recharge /wetland areas on this heavily wooded parcel is an issue yet no hydrology study was included in the application.

Public turnout at the BOCC hearing is important to re-enforce the reasons for the PDC’s denial and convince commissioners that the public wants this area to remain low density. It is adjacent to Deltona’s 800-acre proposed expansion of the Holder Industrial Park. Application files: https://citrusclerk.portal.civicclerk.com/event/8985/files/agenda/11287.
See video of PDC hearing with commissioner comments at the end giving reasons for denial. They address the larger burden of growth issues in Citrus County at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96MvHarf7Cc&list=PLTSBrZ4QutSB-Fz7f95P_jXMTvTix3Tks&index=2&pp=iAQB.

Hernando Conservation News
New Tower at Linda Pederson Park
Hearing August 11th BOCC Agenda

Linda Pedersen Park is a scenic 135-acre park in Hernando County, located at 6300 Shoal Line Blvd, in Weeki Wachee, just across from Jenkins Creek Preserve. It’s a popular destination for families, nature lovers, and water sports enthusiasts. One of the key features was a 40-foot observation tower that offered panoramic views of upland hammocks, Weeki Wachee Preserve, and Jenkins Creek flowing into the Gulf of Mexico. The tower was destroyed during past storms and efforts are underway to replace it.

On July 17th, Hernando County planners unveiled three options to replace the now dismantled viewing tower. The project will be funded with county tourism dollars and is envisioned as a destination for visitors and residents. Representatives of Sierra Club, Hernando Audubon and the Hernando Native Plant Society as well as others attended and commented on the proposed options. Support for the project was evident from the attendants and we offered many recommendations including replacing lawn with native plants, solar panels to power lights, educational signage and more. Tammy Heon of the Hernando Tourism Board attended and joined others who preferred the third option made of galvanized aluminum with a roof that was higher than the other options. Sierra Club and others submitted written letters of support to the county.

The plans will be presented to the Hernando County Commission at the August 11th meeting that begins at 9am at the Hernando County Courthouse in Brooksville. Plan to attend to learn more and comment.