Housing boom hits Hernando County
Developers Targeting East Side Brooksville - County commissioners on Wednesday will consider a request by Mercedes Homes to build 900 homes near State Road 50 and Nightwalker Road. Last Wednesday, a Tampa developer filed an application with the county to build 3,700 homes north of State Road 50 off U.S. 19. The state right now is in the process of reviewing a comprehensive plan amendment paving the way for 1,750 homes in eastern Hernando County that would someday become the upscale Hickory Hill community. In that same vicinity, near Interstate 75 and SR 50, the massive Sunrise development would have 4,800 new homes. Despite rising insurance rates and taxes, people continue to flock to Hernando County, lured perhaps by its rural serenity and proximity to Tampa. Even the threat of hurricanes has not diminished the Florida lifestyle for many people who live out of state. The east side is especially gearing up for growth. By the year 2025, the county estimates nine new housing developments in that area, accounting for more than 10,000 more homes, according to county staffers. These days, people need a scorecard to keep track of the many proposed housing developments and those that are still getting off the ground. Here’s a thumbnail sketch of several of the major communities and what’s on the drawing board for the future. Hickory Hill Supporters say Hickory Hill will be a huge boon to the county’s east side, bringing upscale homes, more services and prestige to the area. Critics, mostly residents square in the path of the proposed development, say it will spell an end to the rural lifestyle for which they moved there. Last month, county commissioners voted to send the matter to the state Department of Community Affairs, which is reviewing an amendment to the comprehensive plan that Hickory Hill will need. That response is several weeks away. Hickory Hill would have 1,750 homes on 2,800 acres in the Spring Lake area. The project would border Lockhart Road and Baseball Pond Road on the east and west respectively, Old Trilby Road on the south and Church and Meyers Roads to the north. Hickory Hill Road and Interstate 75 run through the property. The development would have three golf courses. Lake Hideaway This is the newest kid on the block. Metro Development Group of Tampa turned in an application to the county last Wednesday to build 3,700 homes on the east side of U.S. 19, about four miles north of State Road 50. Lake Hideaway would have 2,400 single family homes and a mix of 1,300 townhouses and apartments. Don’t look for this one to be built anytime soon. Because it has more than 1,000 homes, it qualifies as a “development of regional impact,” which means it has to jump more hurdles and face more government scrutiny than the normal zoning project. Metro Division Manager Dan Santos said homes will range from $150,000 to $300,000. Hernando Oaks Hernando Oaks, located on the west side of U.S. 41 and the north side of Powell Road, currently has about 70 homes. But there are plans to add 630 more acres, increasing the final build-out of homes from 975 to 2,500. This 626-acre residential, gated community boasts an 18-hole championship golf course and wooded preserves. The community has two town centers with shops, cafes, restaurants, and other services. Homeowners can walk to the centers or use a golf cart or bicycle. Villages of Avalon When fully built-out, the Villages of Avalon will have 650 single-family homes at the northwest corner of County Line Road and Anderson Snow Road in Spring Hill. Similar to Hernando Oaks on U.S. 41, Avalon will have three separate villages, linked together by private and public roads. A huge community park, with swing sets, slides, and other amenities, will connect the villages. A clubhouse in the park will have a pool, possibly tennis courts, volleyball, or racquetball facilities. Homes will be on one-third to one-half acre lots. Mercedes Homes Mercedes Homes is proposing a 900-home housing development for the north side of State Road 50, between Oak Hill Hospital and Nightwalker Road. On Wednesday, county commissioners will consider a request to rezone 416 acres from agricultural to a planned development project, which would accommodate residential, office, and commercial uses. A developer’s plan shows the main entrance into the project would be at an existing median at the Sand Hill Boy Scout reservation. Two other accesses are planned at median breaks along SR 50. The project will include a mix of single-family homes and townhouses. Because the property is located on a section of SR 50 that has limited capacity, transportation is sure to be an issue for planning commissioners. The developer plans to connect to the adjacent Royal Highlands community at three locations - Marston Road, Desert Sparrow Avenue, and Caracara Avenue. Southern Hills Developed by LandMar Group, Southern Hills will eventually have 999 homes. The gated golf course community is on U.S. 41 south of Brooksville. It has a clubhouse, six lighted tennis courts, spa, and fitness center. Homes range from the high $300,000s to over $1 million. Southern Hills is located within the Brooksville city limits and - together with Hernando Oaks to the south - is expected to spur commercial development along U.S. 41. Trillium Trillium, located on County Line Road near the Suncoast Parkway, will have 800 homes. The subdivision has the distinction of being the first community build by Michigan-based Pulte Homes, the country’s largest homebuilder. The community, nearing the last stages of development, is expected to attract numerous young professionals who use the parkway to commute to Tampa. Sterling Hill Sterling Hill, with 1,249 homes, is one of the biggest planned developments on the county’s west side. Located on Elgin Boulevard, Sterling Hill will contain several distinct communities, with a variety of different home styles. Sales at Sterling Hill have been brisk, given its prime location next to the Suncoast Parkway and nearby schools and other services. Sunrise Of all the proposed housing developments to hit Hernando, this is the biggest in terms of number of homes. Sunrise, located east of Interstate 75 and south of State Road 50, would have 4,800 homes. This is one of several new developments proposed for that planned development district on the east side. The big question: how to develop a road network inside that community to accommodate the number of new residents? Olmsted This development doesn’t have a formal name yet and it lacks final approval from county commissioners, who will discuss it at Wednesday’s land use hearing. But the development group, which includes Kathleen Olmsted, is proposing 640 homes on the west side of Kettering Road, near Power Line Road. Like Sunrise and Hickory Hill, it is inside the planned east side development district. Planning and zoning commissioners green-lighted the project last month. Commissioner Kenneth Smith called it “one of the best” examples he’s seen of mutual cooperation and hopes it sets a precedent for future planning in that area. But perhaps more than giving their approval, planning bosses praised their staff and the project’s developer for working hand-in-hand to anticipate the infrastructure improvements that will be needed as more developments come on-line on the east side. ***As always, the latest in Real Estate News as it pertains to Spring Hill Real Estate, Brooksville Real Estate, Weeki Wachee Real Estate, Hernando Beach North Real Estate, Hernando Beach South Real Estate, and Hudson Beach Real Estate. - Brought to you by Hernando Luxury Homes, Your Luxury Real Estate Leader in Hernando County, Florida and Pasco County, Florida. Bookmark This Post
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About the AuthorJosh Hanoud is the #1 Top Producing Agent at Tropic Shores Realty in Spring Hill, FL and in the top 3% of all real estate agents in Hernando County, Florida (2007). He also happens to be the co-founder (along with Natalie) of the Hernando Luxury Homes website which aims to showcase the best properties that Hernando County and the surrounding Nature Coast has to offer. Whether buying, selling, relocating, or investing - Josh & Natalie are proud to offer a higher level of service. Contact them today at 352-397-5182 or Josh@HernandoLuxuryHomes.com to see what they can do for you.View other posts by Josh Similar PostsBuyer Search RequestDeal of the Day
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