Lady Lake commissioners voted 4 to 1 to reject a planned subdivision which would have included nearly 300 new homes on Lake Ella Road, just east of Green Key Village.
Frank Cawthon of FHC Development made the pitch Monday to Lady Lake commissioners.
The 279 homes of Lake Ella Estates would be aimed at working families and Baby Boomers.
Cawthon indicated the houses would likely sell in the $250,000 to $300,000 price range and suggested they would be technologically sophisticated.
“These will be nice houses,” Cawthon said.
He cited the need for such housing in north Lake County.
He added that Lake Ella Estates would not be a gated community and would have a homeowners association.
While Cawthon described a large park that would be available to residents, he also said the homes’ lot size would be smaller than the 7,000 square feet required by the town.
Commissioners were not impressed.
“On a lot that is this small? It has no pizzazz. It’s a cookie cutter layout,” said Commissioner Paul Hannan.
Commissioner Tony Holden echoed a similar concern.
“I am not in favor of these tiny lots. It’s a disaster waiting to happen,” Holden said.
Mayor Jim Richards expressed concern about the burden the homes would put on the well-traveled thoroughfare which connects with U.S. Hwy. 27/441, Rolling Acres Road and Micro Racetrack Road.
