During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the Harbor Hills community and the proposed Old Hammock Cove development, highlighting significant planning and zoning considerations.

The Harbor Hills community, which predates the Regional Planning Area (RPA), was confirmed to have been intentionally excluded from the RPA boundaries. Officials clarified that this exclusion was due to the community's inability to comply with the regulations established by the RPA, which was adopted in 2011. This decision raises questions about the treatment of other existing or entitled developments at the time of the RPA's establishment, suggesting they may have also been carved out for similar reasons.

In a subsequent agenda item, Mike Fitzgerald, the Director of the Office of Planning and Zoning, presented a proposal for the Old Hammock Cove development. This ambitious project aims to transform approximately 1,424 acres from rural and rural transition land use designations to a planned unit development. The plan includes the construction of 868 gated residential units, alongside amenities such as a golf course, yacht club, and marina. Additionally, the development is set to incorporate around 327 acres of open space, emphasizing a balance between residential living and environmental preservation.

The meeting underscored the ongoing evolution of land use planning in the region, with implications for community development and environmental management. Further discussions and decisions regarding these developments are anticipated in future meetings.