On February 24, Hollywood Town Council held a public hearing for the rezoning request of 36 parcels from Rural Agriculture to Residential 1. Totaling 277 acres, the developers of Longleaf Estates plan to construct 342 residential lots. While the current zoning allows for 402 units to be built, the position of the wetlands on the property would hinder such a buildout without filling in the wetlands. Additionally, all units are proposed to be on individual septic tanks, which threatens the health of the nearby natural resources.
The reason for the rezoning request is to allow for smaller lot sizes, which would mean building around the wetlands, while still maintaining the desired number of units. This would mean homes closer together, creating more of a suburban development than the larger lots and fewer homes you would expect in a rural community.
Not only does this proposed development threaten the rural character of the Town of Hollywood, but it also threatens the natural resources and waterways that are invaluable to residents.
The primary Land Use Goal for the Town of Hollywood through the year 2025 is to “harmonize growth to respect, preserve, and enhance Hollywood’s rural character and encourage an orderly and concentric growth pattern while utilizing existing infrastructure.” As the Town of Hollywood undergoes a 5-year Comprehensive Plan review, now is the time for residents to let town council know their vision for the future of Hollywood and what rural character looks like for the Town of Hollywood.