Despite concerns raised by residents about increased traffic, the Lady Lake Planning & Zoning Board on Monday approved a measure that could pave the way for the expansion of Recreation Plantation.
The owner of Recreation Plantation would like to add 232 RV units to the existing 850 units on County Road 466. The expansion would occur on existing property off Clay Avenue, just north of the Oakleaf Apartments. The Recreation Plantation expansion would also include a new clubhouse, swimming pool and other amenities. The new section would have access off Clay Avenue although the primary access to the park would still be off County Road 466.
Buddy Johnson of The Villages Church of Christ located off of Clay Avenue said he is concerned about traffic. He said countless vehicles already use Clay Avenue as a cut-through from U.S. Hwy. 27/441 to County Road 466.
“It needs to be widened for the current traffic flow that is already there,” Johnson said of Clay Avenue.
Theresa Stangel, who resides on Clay Avenue, echoed Johnson’s concerns and said she is worried about safety at some existing school bus stops.
She pointed out that Clay Avenue is narrow and fears drivers would have to pull off the roadway to accommodate an oncoming RV.
Grant Gore, owner of Recreation Plantation, said his RV park is a “destination,” and he did not think residents would be coming and going.
He said residents can stay at Recreation Plantation for “$6,000 a year, including cable TV.” He said Recreation Plantation has so many activities, most residents leave only for a weekly trip to the grocery store.
“They don’t want multiple short-term tenants,” said attorney Alison Strange of Bret Jones PA, the firm representing Recreation Plantation. “They are looking for residents who would be staying for an extended period.”
In contrast, if a single-family home subdivision was built on the same property, she argued, there would be a great deal more traffic.
The Planning and Zoning Board voted 3-0 to forward the matter to the Lady Lake Commission. First reading will take place before the commission on May 2.
