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The Villages
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Leesburg commissioners revamp city’s Planning and Zoning Commission with new faces

Leesburg commissioners gave the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission a makeover Monday night.

That’s because the commission appointed three new members and an alternate to serve on the board. In the process, they said goodbye to member Charles Townsend, who wasn’t at the meeting. Townsend’s term expires on Sept. 30 and he had sought to retain his seat.

Michael Fitzpatrick, Alfred “Trey” C. Haliday III and John O’Kelley were appointed to fill three vacancies on the Leesburg Planning and Zoning Commission, while Ze’Shieca Carter was named as an alternate.

Commissioners also filled a vacancy that was left in February when former Chairman James Argento resigned to take a position on the Lake County Board of Adjustment, as well as a seat that will be vacated by Terry Miller at the end of September.

All told, 12 applicants sought the three seats, with the commission deciding to add another alternate to the board. Three of the applicants were disqualified because they live outside the city limits, which left nine residents vying for the three openings.

After hearing from those in attendance at Monday’s meeting, the commission appointed three people with real estate experience – Michael Fitzpatrick, Alfred “Trey” Haliday III and John O’Kelley – to fill the vacancies. They also named business owner and chef Ze’Shieca Carter as the alternate. And all four will serve three-year terms.

Fitzpatrick serves as general manager of Premier Commercial Properties and owns a small hay operation and residence on 136 acres in the southern tip of the city. He brings years of corporate bank, real estate-related lending and development experience to the table and said he has a personal interest in seeing the city move forward in a positive way.

“I’d just like to come in and make a little bit of a difference if I can, especially since we’re committed to the city and the Lake County area,” he said.

Haliday, director of property management for Morris Realty Property Management and a licensed real estate broker, was raised in Leesburg and has been in real estate for 14 years – the last 13 in property management. He said he has a portfolio of more than 150 rental properties, with more than 25 of them on Main Street in the downtown area.

“I like the direction the city is headed,” he said. “I’d like to see that continue and be actively involved in that.”

O’Kelley, a longtime contractor and chairman of the Leesburg Historic Preservation Board – a position he will have to give up – said he’s been involved with the development of the downtown area for many years, citing courtyard townhomes that he and his brother redeveloped 35 years ago.

“We also had several buildings in the downtown that we’ve brought up to good use, and some of them we sold,” he said.

O’Kelley said he was encouraged to come forward and seek a seat on the planning and zoning commission and he’s looking forward to serving the city in a new capacity.

“I think I can help you guys,” he said. “I’m obviously very interested in downtown Leesburg, as well as the whole city.”

Carter, who owns the Kitchen Cooking School, had sought a full-time position on the board but was happy to be named as an alternate. The lifelong Lake County resident has lived in Leesburg for five years and once served on the Downtown Tavares Business Association when she owned a business in the county seat.

“My objective anywhere I live is to always help make my city a great place to live,” she said. “I love to positively influence the community and be hands-on involved.”

Leesburg Mayor John Christian said he was quite impressed with the field of candidates and he truly appreciates the interest expressed each of them.

“It made it real hard to choose,” he said. “People want be excited about something that’s growing and doing good and be a part of a good thing. And I think the city of Leesburg does some good things.”

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