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Approval of Report and Recommendation of Special Magistrate for Appeal of Denial of Rezoning Petition Submitted by Casey Cane, Trustee for 6191 Lockhart Road Land Trust for Property Located on Lockhart Road and Associated Resolution (H2520)
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BRIEF OVERVIEW
Hernando County Planning Department File H2520, Casey Cane, Trustee for 6191 Lockhart Road Land Trust, hereinafter Developer Parties, applied to the County to rezone for a project on May 1, 2025.
Public Hearing History
P&Z Action (August 11, 2025): The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend the Board of County Commissioners deny the petitioner’s request for a rezoning from AG (Agricultural) to C-2 (Highway Commercial) in accordance with the staff report.
BOCC Action (September 2, 2025): The Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 to adopt a resolution denying the petitioner’s request for a rezoning from AG (Agricultural) to C-2 (Highway Commercial).
Appeal and Mediation
The Developer parties filed a Florida Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act (FLUEDRA) request for Mediation and Relief on October 1, 2025, challenging the Board denial of the rezoning case (Planning Department Case H2520).
On December 4, 2025, Hernando County staff and the Developer Parties mediated the dispute and agreed on a revised staff recommendation, which has been incorporated into the attached Report and Recommendation of Special Magistrate Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 70.51 being presented for consideration by the Board.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None. Each party shall bear its own attorneys’ fees.
LEGAL NOTE
The Board has the authority to act on this matter pursuant to Chapter 23 of the Hernando County Code and Section 70.51, Florida Statutes.
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve the Report and Recommendation of Special Magistrate Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 70.51, as well as adopt and authorize the Chairman’s signature on the attached resolution thereby (1) resolving the legal challenge, and (2) approving rezoning File H2520 with the additional conditions as outlined in the Special Magistrate Report and Recommendation.