By David Towns
Leesburg, Fla., commissioners recently approved a zoning change that would allow a 
developer to create a flexible space building that could create jobs for over 100 local residents. The request to change the zoning to a Small Planned Unit Development (SPDU), which was approved and is located on a 7.80-acre parcel located north of Commander Road and east of U.S. Hwy. 27, which is presently undeveloped acreage.Â
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Richard Blount, CEO of Blount Development Group, a land acquisition and development company specializing in acquiring acreage for single-family build-to-rent, multi-family, self-storage, commercial and senior living, is the developer of the property. Blount told the commissioners that his company plans to erect a flexible space building consisting of the following:
- 34 spaces between 1,250 and 1,500 square feet for a warehouse,Â
- light manufacturing, andÂ
- office space for local businesses.
Blount said the new complex could eventually employ over 100 workers, adding that he believed that the flex space facility may actually result in less traffic on Leesburg roads as employees would not have to commute to out-of-town locations.
Larry Boyce and Ricky Howell, whose properties border the proposed flex site development, expressed concerns about noise from the businesses during the hours of operation as well as needing greater buffers on the east side of the property. They were also concerned
about dust collectors that the businesses may use.
Blount agreed to require dust collectors be vented on the other sides away from the neighbors and that he would agree to a 15-foot setback and an 8-foot high fence along the side bordering their neighbor’s property. The fence would be 300 feet long.
The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the zoning and plans for the SPUD.
David Town is a contributor to Leesburg-news.com. Blount Development Group (BDG) is a land acquisition and development company specializing in acquiring acreage for single-family build-to-rent, multi-family, self storage, commercial, and senior living.
