Plans for a potentially noisy, early opening restaurant has residents concerned on the Historic Side of The Villages.
The Lady Lake Planning and Zoning Board on Monday heard a request from T-Lynne Properties to push the time of opening from 7 a.m. to 5 a.m. at a yet-to-be-constructed commercial property at County Road 25 and Teague Trail. The property backs up to homes on Tarrson Boulevard in The Villages.
The proposed project had already raised concerns of Villagers in 2016.
Previously the project was to feature medical professional offices.
Residents said they believed a Darrell’s Diner is now being planned for the location.
“This is a big change from what was presented to the commission,” said Barbara Lutz who lives on Tarrson Boulevard.
Potential neighbors of the diner said they are concerned about early morning noise and delivery trucks that could be arriving – and backing up – at all hours of the night.
Lawrence Breech of T-Lynne Properties would only confirm that the partners want to build a 45-seat restaurant. However, Breech is known to be an investor in the Darrell’s Diner chain as well as internet cafes.
The matter before the Planning and Zoning Board on Monday was a request to change the opening time from 7 to 5 a.m.
Lutz pointed out that last year the Lady Lake Commission had specifically asked that the proposed opening time be moved up to 7 a.m. from 6 a.m.
The Planning and Zoning Board voted 3-2 to deny the developer’s request for the time change. John Gauder, Regis LeClerc and Robert Conlin voted to deny the request. Carole Rohan and William Sigurdson voted against the denial.