A well-known Wildwood entrepreneur plans to open a landscaping business along County Road 301 about a mile south of the Florida Turnpike.
Deborah Farkus, who is connected to 10 Wildwood businesses, requested the rezoning of the property from residential to industrial.
Wildwood Special Magistrate Archie O. Lowry recommended at a Tuesday meeting of the Planning and Zoning Board that the city commission grant the rezoning request.
Among the businesses where Farkus has an official role are Wildwood Truck Wash, founded in 1988; 75 Chrome Shop, which sells gear for truckers; Wildwood Spring Bulk Water; 75 Truck Service Center; and Wildwood Beverage Co.
She once owned the popular Texaco-A Day gas station and trading post along Interstate 75.
The 5-acre site south of the turnpike currently has a home, but will be used for landscaping sales and storage if the city commission approves the rezoning.
Melanie Peavy, Wildwood development services director, said the site meets city requirements and adequate water and sewer services are available.
“The applicant has satisfied all concerns made at the Project Review Committee meeting,” she said.
The business will mean a slight traffic increase on U.S. 301 and Peavy said any expansion would require a traffic analysis.
Lowry also recommended rezoning a recently annexed 1.8-acre property near County Road 466 and the CSX railroad tracks from county heavy commercial to Wildwood general commercial – highway. Three retail businesses, including a Verizon Wireless store, are slated for the site.
