Lady Lake Mayor Jim Richards has pledged to withhold his support for a plan for nearly 300 new homes at Water Oak over concerns about traffic.
The mayor’s pledge was the most prominent voice in concerns about traffic in and around the 55+ community in Lady Lake.
On Monday evening, the mayor said the current traffic study offered by Sun Communities, developer of Water Oak, is “deficient.”
The fear is that already-overburdened Griffin Avenue will see even more traffic thanks to the new residents and construction planned on U.S. Hwy. 27/441.
Donna Morris, who has lived on property off Griffin Avenue since 1960, took to the podium and delivered an emotional appeal. She refused to yield the floor, even after the mayor loudly banged the gavel. A police officer stationed in the commission chambers nearly had to escort Morris from the chambers. She walked out, obviously frustrated.
Commissioner Dan Vincent raised past problems at Water Oak, including the discovery of non-functioning fire hydrants and proper permits not being pulled for construction projects.
Ultimately, the commission decided to table the expansion at Water Oak.
If Sun Communities wants to move forward, the company will have to resubmit the plan to the town.
Immediately after the decision to table, four Sun Communities representatives marched out without comment.