Leesburg commissioners will consider three ordinances Monday night that would pave the way for a new family entertainment center to be built in the city near The Villages.
But some residents who live near the proposed complex have made it clear that they aren’t happy with the idea. They expressed their concerns last month when commissioners heard first readings of the ordinances.
Those residents and others are expected to return to the commission’s chambers at City Hall to express their feelings about the complex. Last week they had taken to Facebook and were encouraging people to attend Monday night’s meeting, which starts at 5:30 p.m.
Scott and Mary Christley, of Marbendale Associates and the longtime owners of Skate World in Leesburg, are hoping to build a new entertainment complex that would include a roller-skating rink, a 12-lane boutique bowling alley, a two-story Laser Tag arena, rock-climbing walls, mini-golf, Spin Zone Bumper Cars, a go-cart track and a full restaurant and sports bar. It also would have a second-story area that can be rented out for corporate events and things like that, Scott Christley said.
Commissioners will consider an ordinance that calls for the 9.65-acre site, located south of State Road 44 and east of Whitney Road somewhat near the newest sections of The Villages, to be annexed into the city. Another ordinance would amend the city’s comprehensive plan designation on the property to City General Commercial. And the third ordinance would rezone the property to Small Planned Unit Development to allow for the business.
The city’s planning commission and staff are recommending approval of the ordinance changes to allow the new business to be built on the property that currently has one single-family home on it. A memo to commissioners from Deputy City Manager Mike Rankin and Planning & Zoning Manager Dan Miller also points out that there will be a “significant fiscal impact” to the city through increased ad valorem taxes and utility fees.
Public Works Director D.C. Maudlin said water is available approximately 300 feet east of the property and a wastewater connection is about 2,100 feet to the east. He said a grease trap will be required if the facility goes through with offering food service. And he suggested a traffic study in coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation to determine if a turn lane will be needed into the entertainment center.
At last month’s meeting, several residents who live near the proposed entertainment complex spoke out against the plan. They said they are worried about increased traffic on Whitney Road, which will be used by customers going into the facility. And they expressed concerns about the width of Whitney Road and bright lights from the center’s parking lot in a rural area that usually is very dark at night.
