Applications receive unanimous approval
BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
Though controversial when first proposed, the Keystone Heights RV Resort on County Road 21B sailed its way through a Jan. 20 hearing on a proposed expansion.
Proprietor Vincent Esson, attorney Jim Taylor and a number of resort supporters appeared to encourage county commissioners sitting as the Board of Adjustment to grant special exceptions for recreational activities on an additional 155 acres next to the original resort.
The plan includes adding another 293 RV sites to the existing 400 sites.
Cindy Avanon told the board, “I’m in favor of the expansion. I think is great. It’s great for the community. It’s brought a lot of business to the community, and I think a lot of people are seeing that more and more as we get more and more people into the park.”
A question was asked about adding an emergency exit. Esson told the board he was acquiring additional land on State Road 100 for that purpose. A new entrance on 100 will be coupled with a deceleration lane to help traffic into the resort.
Esson and the others continue to pressure Florida Department of Transportation for a traffic signal at S.R. 100 and C.R. 21B. Currently, FDOT has agreed to a flashing light.
Commissioner Kenny Thompson complimented the park owner.
“That’s a beautiful place,” he said. “You all have done one heck of a job on that place.”
“The commissioners can take some credit, too, because it’s you who placed trust in Mr. Esson to do what he promised to do, and I think he’s done it very well,” Taylor said.
Esson said he remembered Commissioner Danny Riddick’s request not to let him down. Riddick faced intense pressure from park opponents to vote against the development.
“You didn’t,” Riddick said. “You went way far beyond my expectations. … The whole thing is first class.”
It took two separate hearings and a waiver of the reapplication period for the county commission to eventually approve the park with a unanimous vote in 2017. The expansion also received unanimous approval.
Evan Douglas, the contractor who built the first phase, will also be responsible for the expansion.
The board also approved a setback variance for Jesse Hipps, and then met as the Planning and Zoning Board to recommend approval of commercial rezoning applications for James Bertotto at Griffis Loop and S.R. 100, and for Rowe Enterprises on U.S. 301. The commission approved the land use and rezoning ordinances.
