To the Editor:
I am writing on behalf of residents in the rural County Road 476 and CR 476B area of Sumter County who are concerned about a proposed rezoning known as Beville Ranch (Case ZON26-000016).
The proposal would convert approximately 263 acres of agricultural land into roughly 84 residential lots and a commercial tract. The final vote is scheduled before the Sumter County Board of County Commissioners on June 23.
Many residents feel this issue has not received enough public attention despite its potential impact on our community. Concerns raised by local residents include increased traffic on rural roads, impacts on private wells and septic systems, loss of agricultural land, effects on wildlife habitats where a list of Florida’s endangered and federally protected animals live—for example, the gopher tortoise, red-cockaded woodpecker, and the Florida bonneted bat—and the long-term preservation of the rural character of western Sumter County.
This area is part of the CR 476 corridor near the Scenic Sumter Heritage Byway that passes the Florida National Cemetery and serves as a gateway to an important rural section of the county. Residents believe the community deserves broader public awareness before a final decision is made.
Additional information, rules the developer hasn’t made clear to the public yet, and public documents regarding the proposal can be found at SaveCR476.com.
We are coming together as a united community and wearing red on Tuesday, June 23 at 6 p.m. at the new Gloria Rowe Hayward Sumter County Service Center, 215 Gloria Hayward Drive, Sumterville.
Nicole McCrary
Bushnell