[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6088552,"mediaKeyId","2879893-64f054b0d6b544352caedcda4a18f31c","parentId",2879893,"title","Eustis commission approves annexation, zoning ordinances on second reading; LDR changes advance on first reading","audioSeconds",364,"startMs",2485000,"endMs",2849000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2879893-64f054b0d6b544352caedcda4a18f31c&start=2485&end=2849","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2879893-64f054b0d6b544352caedcda4a18f31c/thumbnail_2485000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088552/Florida/Eustis-commission-approves-annexation-zoning-ordinances-on-second-reading-LDR-changes-advance-on-first-reading","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088552-6b2aaac504033a6a8a693447ba227f3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770778437&Signature=DXLR-KstDrVsoTNPDK17t3s0oMXc5g4zrxKj6OaTkVbg3TRDe9rE2HuNg9lV0nPHxI9wLvMVCUy9sbsye6Qmsiw2kGtR46hoJ~RXO1TEgzw6GvVR-uOa1UzVbEm7d~WR299ohEpgEr-riv01Jnl9sLby-fG2FHwvxzdPRDTVc3nIshGQ89hr61tZMrKGxNnEDZdbcXVO~HTQRe7a-Xkhd7EaVtMIJlfMnob~wz2xXsib7LxOt9vUwhaeEfMWFxJYtq-lVoQXIdL2EzrP9t7077MjsG~tNTy42oX2aiGKpq-t4MyEIeiwNGXh4wxdjshjZY~p2~292C~a-tgkAmJ~Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Eustis, FL","date","2025-04-05T01:11:33.163Z","article","At its April 3 meeting the City of Eustis commission approved three ordinances on second reading and advanced a fourth ordinance on first reading.

On second reading the commission unanimously approved: ordinance 25-06, voluntarily annexing approximately 2.86 acres (Lake County alternate key 2612525) generally located on the east side of State Road 44 opposite the intersection with Lake Joanna Drive; ordinance 25-07, amending the City of Eustis comprehensive plan pursuant to Florida Statute 163.3187 to change that parcel’s future land‑use designation from Lake County Urban Low to Mixed Commercial-Residential (MCR); and ordinance 25-08, assigning the Suburban Neighborhood Design District designation to the same 2.86‑acre parcel. Each second‑reading vote was recorded as unanimous (Aye by Commissioner Holland, Commissioner Aspadi/Asbodie, Vice Mayor Ashcraft, Commissioner Lee and Mayor Hawkins).

On first reading the commission approved ordinance 25-01, amending the city’s Land Development Regulations. The changes add or clarify use definitions and the use-regulation table to expressly include the following new or revised uses as permitted or conditional: self-storage (self-service storage), retail smoke shop, tattoo establishment and massage establishment. The item passed on first reading by the same unanimous roll-call.

Development Services staff noted they performed a parcel-by-parcel analysis of citywide commercial versus residential mix and reported the city is currently in compliance with the comprehensive plan’s goals. Staff said roughly 15 percent of the MCR land category is in single-family residential use, and the comp plan contemplates a 15–25 percent share for single-family within MCR; staff will continue to monitor that balance as projects come online.

Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance 25-06 (annexation, approx. 2.86 acres, alt key 2612525, east side of SR-44 opposite Lake Joanna Drive): Motion to approve—mover/second not specified in transcript; roll-call recorded Aye from Commissioner Holland, Commissioner Aspadi/Asbodie, Vice Mayor Ashcraft, Commissioner Lee and Mayor Hawkins; outcome: approved (ordinance adopted on second reading).
- Ordinance 25-07 (comprehensive-plan amendment per Fla. Stat. 163.3187 to change future land use to Mixed Commercial-Residential for the same parcel): Motion to approve—mover/second not specified; roll-call unanimous Aye; outcome: approved (ordinance adopted on second reading).
- Ordinance 25-08 (assign Suburban Neighborhood Design District to same parcel): Motion to approve—mover/second not specified; roll-call unanimous Aye; outcome: approved (ordinance adopted on second reading).
- Ordinance 25-01 (Land Development Regulations amendments, first reading; adds/clarifies retail smoke shops, tattoo establishments, massage establishments, self-storage): Motion to approve—mover/second not specified; roll-call unanimous Aye; outcome: approved on first reading (advances to second reading per normal code procedure).

The meeting record shows no public speakers on the second‑reading items and no substantive public input on the LDR amendment during first reading. Staff said they will continue to monitor citywide land-use mix as new projects proceed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Commission Meeting - 3 April, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On April 3 the City of Eustis commission approved three ordinances on second reading to annex 2.86 acres and assign land-use and neighborhood-designation, and approved first reading of land-development regulation amendments adding or clarifying several commercial uses.","taxTitle","City of Eustis, Lake County, Florida","taxId",71128,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6088557,"Local pilot pitches seaplane base at Lake Eustis; commission asks staff to seek consultant proposal",1391,506000,1897000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2879893-64f054b0d6b544352caedcda4a18f31c&start=506&end=1897","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2879893-64f054b0d6b544352caedcda4a18f31c/thumbnail_506000.jpg","/articles/6088557/Florida/Local-pilot-pitches-seaplane-base-at-Lake-Eustis-commission-asks-staff-to-seek-consultant-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088557-36eb07da54a6c729aee8c40d5c7ca782/orig.mp4?Expires=1770778437&Signature=CZ-YXS5Kt0z0JSt5RB0ZIWjnX3Uk2o84wVdA4SG50hC4Sqrg~fQ7fOWLKYKmX476EmD4kK3vCwMA7mRgpFjrrS3ew4gHmiGQJqvKcOm~976e7zvELaSGUyHQiFfJYYRv5s5a8harjyhiYERm6zDM69YQWmS9T2lixDLrT2n~Ff5Gf~cAtrmLs2AbOCpdSUXlAj-yPGpaRavTU9RuO5jiwpIy6DX7YWA00yYKGj~-6KtjQ22fb33qkD3ZXBcjBHNi7tuKtA8ZP9NQ2DFx--vfPeeQl9bLnQPM8uOk1tfCtp~2gmWOFo3~t-rzVqtHwAkE4ZrR20TrA~umrcMXit5joA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ryan Benaglio, a commercial pilot and Eustis resident, presented a plan at the City of Eustis commission meeting on April 3 proposing a downtown seaplane base to support flight instruction, seaplane tours and targeted tourism development.

Benaglio told commissioners the city could attract pilots for three-day seaplane rating courses and short sightseeing flights, and that a designated public seaplane base would “put Eustis on the map.” He said nearby training facilities are booked months in advance and estimated a professional consultant could secure Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval in about 90 days.

The commission’s discussion focused on where seaplane infrastructure could be added with minimal impact on existing lakefront uses. Commissioners and staff identified a little-used cove and a sandy beachfront near the downtown dock as potential initial locations. Benaglio said a minimal build — removing one small tree and adding a modest ramp or floating staging — could allow some operations while the city considers longer-term dock improvements.

City staff and commissioners discussed fuel and docking logistics. Benaglio said fuel is advantageous but not required for initial operations; pilots often plan fuel stops in advance. He offered to lease space downtown and to invest in operations, estimating about $550,000 of private capital for planes, staff and equipment if he proceeded. He also suggested a consultant, identified as Doc Bailey, who has helped other municipalities establish seaplane bases and could prepare a proposal for approximately $25,000.

Commissioners asked staff to pursue a preliminary meeting with the consultant and to coordinate with the public-works director and Fred (a private-sector stakeholder already working on the boat initiative) to identify required dock or floating-ramp infrastructure and fuel options. A city commissioner noted the project could be advanced separately and concurrently with the tour-boat infrastructure work already underway.

No formal vote was taken. Commissioners instructed staff to arrange a meeting with the consultant to provide a scope and cost proposal and to return to commission with findings and recommendations.

Benaglio also described potential economic benefits: training students staying in town for multiple days, short tours that bring visitors to downtown restaurants, and occasional fly‑ins or festivals similar to events in nearby Tavares. Commissioners and staff flagged operational issues to study, including maritime engineer input, potential costs for dock piles or floating ramps, and whether temporary staging could allow earlier operations without a large dock extension.

The commission asked staff to include Fred and the public‑works director in early discussions about fuel and physical infrastructure and to report back when a consultant proposal and scope are available.","Commercial pilot Ryan Benaglio told the City of Eustis commission he could base flight training and tours downtown. Commissioners asked staff to arrange a consultant proposal and to include public-works and maritime input on infrastructure and fuel issues.","actionData","errors"]

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Eustis commission approves annexation, zoning ordinances on second reading; LDR changes advance on first reading

Local pilot pitches seaplane base at Lake Eustis; commission asks staff to seek consultant proposal