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4 weeks ago

Developer seeks approval for roughly 800‑acre expansion of Holder Industrial Park in Citrus County Deltona Corporation told the Citrus County Planning and Development Commission on March 5 that it seeks to expand the Holder Industrial Park by roughly 798.6 acres, citing utilities now in place and potential economic benefits; commissioners and residents pressed the applicant on buffers, water use and the absence of any named end user.

A bold proposal to expand the Holder Industrial Park by nearly 800 acres could reshape Citrus County's economy, but residents are raising crucial questions about its impact.

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #LandUsePlanning #CommunityInput

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4 weeks ago

Deltona seeks to add roughly 800 acres to Holder Industrial Park; PDC hears site, buffer and water-use questions Deltona Corporation asked the Citrus County Planning and Development Commission to expand the Holder Industrial Park sub-area by about 798.6 acres, citing shovel-ready utilities and economic benefits; presenters described mine-pit constraints, proposed enhanced buffers, a $2.8 million wastewater grant and commitments to closed-loop cooling, while commissioners pressed the applicant on the absence of named end users and environmental review.

Deltona Corporation is pushing to expand the Holder Industrial Park by nearly 800 acres, promising economic growth and shovel-ready land, but concerns about environmental impact and end users linger.

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#CitrusCounty #FL #EnvironmentalSustainability #CitizenPortal #UrbanPlanning

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4 weeks ago

Citrus County planning commission pauses Holder Industrial Park expansion after hours of debate over water, noise and data‑center risks The Citrus County Planning and Development Commission voted 4–3 to continue consideration of a large comprehensive‑plan/sub‑area amendment for the Holder Industrial Park expansion after staff, applicants and many residents debated water supply, noise, traffic and wildlife impacts. The application will return to the commission before the Board of County Commissioners takes up the matter.

The Citrus County Planning Commission's split decision to pause the controversial Holder Industrial Park expansion has residents concerned about water supply, noise, and the future of their community.

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CitrusCountyIndustrialPark #CommunityImpact

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4 weeks ago

Citrus planning board hears hundreds of objections over Holder Industrial Park expansion and votes to continue The Citrus County Planning & Development Commission unanimously advanced, by a 4–3 roll call, a motion to continue consideration of a proposed expansion of the Holder Industrial Park — and the addition of data centers as an allowed use — after commissioners and residents raised unresolved questions about water, noise, traffic and missing technical analyses.

The Citrus County Planning Commission's recent vote to postpone the Holder Industrial Park expansion has sparked heated debate over potential impacts on water, noise, and local wildlife.

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #CitrusCountyIndustrialExpansion #EconomicDevelopment

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1 month ago

Take 5 drive‑through at US‑98 in coastal high‑hazard area continued so applicant can supply containment and operational details The Planning and Development Commission continued the proposed Take 5 drive‑through oil‑change PUD in a coastal high‑hazard area to allow the applicant to provide technical details on oil containment, pit design, finished floor elevation and emergency/evacuation safeguards; the continuance passed 7–0.

The Planning and Development Commission is pressing for crucial safety details before greenlighting a proposed drive-through oil-change facility in a flood-prone area—what's at stake?

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #CitrusCountyOilChange #PublicSafety #EnvironmentalSafeguards

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1 month ago

Commission backs Stillwater Estates master‑plan changes, including conversion of cabins to RV sites and added storage with new buffering conditions The commission recommended approval of a master‑plan modification for Stillwater Estates to replace 55 proposed cabins with 213 RV pads (a net increase of 158 units), add a second clubhouse and a 0.9‑acre RV/boat storage area, with conditions on buffers, park‑model limits and temporary occupancy/storage rules.

The Planning and Development Commission has just voted to transform 55 cabins into 213 RV sites at Stillwater Estates, but what does this mean for the future of the community?

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #RecreationPlanning #LandDevelopment #EnvironmentalPreservation

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1 month ago

Citrus County moves ahead with multi‑year road resurfacing contract after $13M allocation Citrus County officials said the county obligated about $13,000,000 this year for road work and added $950,000 for localized repairs; contractors Pave Right and Superior will perform mill‑and‑repave and full‑depth reclamation work, with projects scheduled into 2025.

Citrus County has just committed a record $13 million to revamp its roads, promising smoother rides and safer streets for residents!

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #InfrastructureDevelopment #CitrusCountyRoads #CommunityMaintenance

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1 month ago

Speakers announce new Citrus Behavioral Health Facility; counties, state pledge $2 million each Presenters announced plans for a Citrus Behavioral Health Facility in Citrus County: a more-than-40,000-square-foot campus with 60 beds (40 acute, 20 residential), with Citrus County, Hernando County and the state contributing $2 million each and LifeStream covering remaining construction costs; opening targeted for 2027.

Citrus County is set to unveil a groundbreaking 40,000-square-foot Behavioral Health Facility in 2027, promising local mental health services and a new economic boost for the community!

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#CitrusCounty #FL #LocalEconomicDevelopment #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthCare

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1 month ago

County told parks acreage has fallen while growth accelerates; commissioners eye 4–5 acre level‑of‑service Consultants showed Citrus County's parkland per 1,000 residents declined from about 5 acres in 2000 to 3.4 today; commissioners debated a 4‑ or 5‑acre LOS, use of impact fees and strategic land acquisition to avoid losing ideal park parcels to development.

Citrus County's park acreage per resident has plummeted from 5 to 3.4 acres, raising urgent questions about future growth and park accessibility!

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #CitrusCountyParks #PublicSafety #CommunityPlanning #UrbanGrowth

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1 month ago

Consultant recommends four new fire stations over next two decades to improve 8‑minute response targets A county consultant used three years of fire call data to recommend two additional stations by 2030 and up to four more by 2045, noting some existing volunteer stations are functionally outdated and identifying county‑owned parcels where new stations could fit.

Citrus County is set for a major safety upgrade, with plans for four new fire stations over the next 20 years to tackle response time challenges and improve service efficiency.

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #CitrusCountyPublicSafety #EmergencyResponse

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1 month ago

County unveils pavement management portal and shifts to multilayer preservation to stretch road dollars Public works introduced a pavement management dashboard and recommended multilayer preservation treatments that could extend life of local roads 5–10 years at roughly $70,000/mile versus reconstruction at $340,000/mile; staff plans a public dashboard and a first work group of roads by month‑end.

Citrus County is revolutionizing road maintenance with a new transparency portal that promises to stretch your tax dollars and extend road life by up to a decade!

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #BudgetOptimization #CitrusCountyPublicWorks #InfrastructurePreservation

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1 month ago

Commissioners push for concurrency metrics and fiscal‑impact tools as growth accelerates During strategic goal‑setting, commissioners asked staff to develop measurable levels‑of‑service (roads, parks, fire, law enforcement) and a fiscal‑impact worksheet to compare one‑time and recurring revenues against service costs for major development applications.

Citrus County commissioners are taking bold steps to shape the future of development by pushing for essential metrics and fiscal tools to ensure sustainable growth.

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CommunityGrowth #InfrastructurePlanning #CitizenPortal #CitrusCountyDevelopment

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1 month ago

Consultant shows parcel‑level growth model forecasting buildout, seasonal surges and retail demand At a Citrus County strategic planning retreat, consultant David Farmer updated an interactive growth model that maps parcel‑by‑parcel potential, projects roughly 8,000–8,500 new homes by 2030 and flags hotspots for parks and neighborhood retail; commissioners pressed for policy tools to preserve park land and guide commercial placement.

Citrus County is on the brink of a housing boom, with forecasts predicting up to 8,500 new homes by 2030—find out how this growth will shape the future of your community!

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #PublicInvestment #HousingDevelopment #CommunityPlanning

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2 months ago

TDC announces expanded hours, promotions and a push on STR compliance and social media Staff told the Tourist Development Council the welcome center will expand to six-day service in February, announced promotions and hires, outlined STR compliance onboarding with a planned April rollout, and highlighted rising social-media engagement and upcoming fam tours.

Big changes are coming to Citrus County's visitor services with expanded hours, new promotions, and a fresh push for social media engagement!

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#CitrusCounty #FL #TourismDevelopment #CitrusCountyVisitorServices #ShortTermRentals #CitizenPortal #SocialMediaStrategy

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2 months ago

Tourist board debates eco-compliant partner recognition, enforcement limits and signage Council members and presenters discussed the new eco-compliant partner recognition for manatee-related tour operators, debating eligibility (brick-and-mortar requirement, SUPs), enforcement limits (FWC/FWS jurisdiction) and steps to publicize the program, including signage and volunteer shirts.

Citrus County is launching an eco-compliant partner program to promote manatee-safe practices among tour operators, but concerns about eligibility and enforcement are sparking heated discussions!

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CommunityEngagement #WildlifeConservation #EcoCompliance

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2 months ago

PDC splits on 38-unit 'Hills of Locanto' PUD; recommendation fails after dense debate A proposed 38-townhome planned unit development in the Locanto area drew lengthy debate over deviations from Citrus County's land-development code — including 20-foot fee-simple lots, project-wide ISR/FAR and reduced buffering — and a motion to recommend approval failed on a 4-2 vote. Neighbors raised traffic, sewer and compatibility concerns; application advances to the Board of County Commissioners.

The proposed "Hills of Locanto" townhome development is stirring up controversy as neighbors voice concerns over traffic and density while the Planning Commission grapples with technical deviations in the plan.

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CommunityPlanning #AffordableHousing

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2 months ago

Citrus County tourist board OKs $5,000 fair grant and $80,000 toward 3 Sisters Springs improvements At its Jan. 14 meeting the Citrus County Tourist Development Council unanimously approved a $5,000 marketing grant for the Citrus County Fair Association and agreed to contribute $80,000 toward a $400,000 capital-improvement project at 3 Sisters Springs, citing visitor experience and education benefits.

Citrus County is boosting local tourism with a $5,000 grant for the fair and an impressive $80,000 investment to enhance the beloved 3 Sisters Springs!

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CommunityDevelopment #CitrusCountyFair #VisitorExperience #EnvironmentalEducation #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Commissioners direct staff to study adding right-of-way costs to transportation impact fees After staff reported an addendum that could add right‑of‑way acquisition to transportation impact fees, commissioners directed staff to return with a formal agenda item that includes the effect across residential categories and proposals to ensure fairness.

Citrus County commissioners are considering a significant increase in transportation impact fees that could change the landscape of housing affordability in the area.

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#CitrusCounty #FL #TransportationFees #PublicServices #HousingEquity #CitrusCountyHousing #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Board elevates Chassahowitzka Campground repair request, seeks $800,000 state appropriation The commission unanimously moved an $800,000 state appropriation request to repair storm-damaged Chassahowitzka River Campground, noting a SWFWMD grant of $200,000 and roughly $500,000 in local campground revenues as potential match toward an estimated $1.4 million total repair need.

Citrus County is taking bold steps to secure $800,000 in state funding to restore the storm-damaged Chassahowitzka River Campground, with additional local revenue and grants in play!

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#CitrusCounty #FL #LocalGovernment #CommunityFunding #CitrusCountyCampgrounds #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

Citrus County airport staff report fuel-farm repairs, survey work and hangar progress Airport staff updated the Aviation Advisory Board on Crystal River fuel-tank replacement, a contained fuel-farm seepage under repair, a photogrammetric obstruction survey for a GPS approach, Emirates Business Park preconstruction and a corporate hangar MOU now recorded.

Citrus County airports are buzzing with updates on crucial repairs, new projects, and environmental safeguards—find out how these developments will shape the future of air travel in your area!

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#CitrusCounty #FL #AviationUpdates #CitrusCountyAirports #EnvironmentalSafety

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3 months ago

Advisory board backs WTC aviation maintenance program, agrees to letters of support and quarterly briefings The Citrus County Aviation Advisory Board voted to support WTC’s proposed Airframe & Powerplant program, agreed to draft letters of support to the Board of County Commissioners and the school board, and requested quarterly briefings as the college pursues FAA certification and funding.

Exciting news for aspiring aviation professionals: WTC's new Airframe & Powerplant program could take flight by August 2027, paving the way for high-paying careers in aviation maintenance!

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#CitrusCounty #FL #WorkforceDevelopment #VeteransSupport #CitrusCountyEducation

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3 months ago

Commission denies Brentwood PUD amendment for 55+ conversion after neighbors and PDC raise compatibility concerns The board rejected a developer’s request to amend the Brentwood PUD to convert an abandoned retirement-center complex into 150 age-restricted apartments, citing neighbor concerns about compatibility, buffers, traffic and the condition of existing buildings; the Planning & Development Commission had recommended denial.

The board has denied a controversial plan to transform the abandoned Brentwood retirement complex into a 150-unit age-restricted community, amid fierce opposition from local residents concerned about blight and safety.

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CommunityDevelopment #UrbanPlanning

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3 months ago

Citrus County bans new medical-marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated areas; existing locations may remain The county amended its land-development code to remove medical marijuana treatment centers from multiple commercial and mixed-use zoning districts, effectively barring new dispensaries in unincorporated Citrus County; the board voted 5–0 after hearing from the Anti-Drug Coalition and residents.

Citrus County has officially banned new medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated areas, leaving existing locations intact but halting any future growth.

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CommunityAesthetics #YouthPrevention #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal

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3 months ago

Commission approves acceptance of $800,000 ASPCA pledge for new animal shelter after divided board debate The board accepted an $800,000 ASPCA pledge to help build a new Citrus County animal services facility after public appeals from volunteers and organizations; commissioners debated the size of the grant relative to total cost, strings attached, and timing, and approved the acceptance by recorded vote.

Citrus County has taken a monumental step towards a new animal services facility by accepting an $800,000 pledge from the ASPCA, igniting hope for a much-needed upgrade amid passionate public support.

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#CitrusCounty #FL #PublicFunding #CommunityInvolvement #AnimalWelfare

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3 months ago

Citrus County wins largest state sewer grant in county history, adds Springs restoration funds for Old Homosassa Citrus County officials announced a $16.4 million state award for countywide sewer rehabilitation and an additional $4.3 million Springs Restoration grant to build a regional wastewater collection system in Old Homosassa; county staff said the grants will reduce nutrient pollution by replacing failing septic systems.

Citrus County has just secured a historic $16.4 million state grant for sewer rehabilitation, alongside an additional $4.3 million for Springs restoration, promising cleaner waterways and enhanced public health!

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CitrusCountyEnvironment #WastewaterManagement

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3 months ago

Citrus County commissioners direct staff to craft library-display policy after heated public debate Following hours of public testimony and board debate over the role of the county in library display decisions, the commission asked staff to merge a commissioner-drafted policy with existing library policy, remove an outside-group application path, and return with a revised policy for review.

Citrus County's library display policy faces intense scrutiny as passionate voices clash over free speech and governance, raising critical questions about the future of community engagement.

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CommunityEngagement #FreeSpeechIssues #CitrusCountyLibraries

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3 months ago

Citrus County special‑master hearing issues extensions, fines and a $2,500 penalty in contested site‑modification case At a full day of code‑compliance hearings Dec. 15, 2025, the Citrus County special master granted a six‑month extension for a commercial site plan applicant, affirmed dozens of abatement deadlines and fines across property cases, and assessed a $2,500 fine in a contested site‑modification matter.

Citrus County's latest code-compliance hearing revealed a mix of extensions and hefty fines, including a $2,500 penalty for a contested site modification—a wake-up call for property owners!

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CitrusCountyCodeCompliance #PropertyOwnerRights #CommunityEnforcement

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3 months ago

Citrus County bans any new medical marijuana dispensaries from opening County commissioners reversed a November decision as local treatment centers warn a ban could raise prices and limit care.

"The measure was initially voted down by the Planning and Development Commission, but the final decision headed to the county commission and was unanimously overturned, 5-0."
#MedicalMarijuana #MedicalCannabis #CitrusCounty #Florida #Ban #Dispensary

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4 months ago

Citrus County Planning and Development Commission rejects marijuana dispensary ban The Citrus County Planning and Development Commission balked Thursday at a proposal to ban new medical marijuana treatment centers in unincorporated areas, calling the idea vague, premature and unsupp...

"The Citrus County Planning and Development Commission balked Thursday at a proposal to ban new medical marijuana treatment centers in unincorporated areas"
#MedicalMarijuana #MedicalCannabis #CitrusCounty #Florida #Dispensary #Ban

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4 months ago

Citrus County hears stark pavement report, delays sales-tax vote pending voter research Consultants told the board the county’s pavement condition index averages 55.4 and backlog exceeds $700 million. Commissioners asked staff to run the new pavement-management software unconstrained using current FY funding; commissioners tabled a sales-tax ordinance to await fully funded market research from Trust for Public Land.

Citrus County faces a staggering $700 million backlog in road repairs, with officials urging action before the condition of our roads deteriorates further.

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#CitrusCounty #FL #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureRepair #CommunityPlanning #FiscalResponsibility #CitrusCountyPavement