Fruitland Park Commissioners have unanimously agreed to a memorandum of understanding with The Villages which could lead to Florida’s Friendliest Hometown building homes within the boundaries of The Friendly City.
“I think the majority (is) in favor of us moving ahead. At least see where the path takes us,” Mayor Christoper Bell said in a commission meeting Thursday evening.
More than 200 people showed up last week when Fruitland Park hosted a public hearing on the question of The Villages moving in.
Commissioner John Gunter Jr. raised the issue of “rumors” which have surrounded the possible construction of homes by The Villages.
Fruitland Park Community Development Director Charlie Rector spoke to commissioners, trying to dispel some of the “rumors.”
He outlined the highlights of the memorandum of understanding with The Villages:
• The Villages has agreed to four-lane County Road 466A from the Sumter County line to The Villages eastern boundary which is just east of Timbertop Lane in Fruitland Park. The Villages will do this at their expense to the tune of about $7.5 million. This will also include a new redlight at Micro Racetrack Road.
• The Villages will buy water in bulk from Fruitland Park. The Villages will not use Fruitland Park water for irrigation. (The Villages use reclaimed water for irrigation.)
• The Villages will run water and sewer line all the way to the Sumter County line at their expense of about $5 million. This will have the added benefit of providing for future commercial and residential growth for Fruitland Park.
• Fruitland Park will oversee permit and inspections service for the new construction in The Villages. This should prove lucrative for Fruitland Park.
• Villages Public Safey will handle primary fire calls in the new Villages’ section. (If not FP would have to build another fire station
• The Villages will set up two Community Development Districts which will oversee maintenance and infrastructure in the new development.
• Fruitland Park’s franchise hauler will handle garbage collection. (Fruitland Park will collect francise fees.)
The homes The Villages plans to build will include $220,000 Villa homes; Premier home which will be priced in the $750,00 to $1 million range; and Designer series homes which will be priced in the $500,000 range.
“They will bring a lot of tax revenue into the city,” Rector added.
