County to consider substance abuse facility, residential kennel, Dollar General

BROOKSVILLE — Planning and zoning commissioners Monday will consider a proposal to build a substance abuse rehabilitation facility north of Brooksville.

There also would be a small on-site chapel, similar to that found in a hospital, to accommodate 30 people and be part of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States.

The diocese needs a permit to build on 9.6 acres at the southwest corner of Youth Drive and Ponce de Leon Boulevard, about 1.5 miles north of Brooksville’s city limits.

The existing 7,922-square-foot building on the property would be remodeled to accommodate the intended use. The 24-hour-a-day substance abuse facility is for both inpatient and outpatient services and would be staffed by five people.

Hernando County’s planning staffers are recommending approval of the proposal, with conditions that include limiting the rehab facility to 30 inpatient beds.

The property is owned by Baycare Behavioral Health Inc., which built and operated the property as a mental health facility. Baycare no longer operates there and the property is under contract for sale to Coptic Orthodox Diocese.

Public transportation serves the facility and there is a bus stop at the east end of the property.

There are 49 paved parking spaces at the site.

The planning and zoning meeting begins at 9 a.m. Monday at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville.

Also Monday:

♦ Planning and zoning commissioners will discuss a special exception use permit for Charlotte Furey, who wants to operate a shelter-boarding kennel on 2.5 acres of the 7.5 acres upon which she and her husband live. Their property is at the northwest corner of Orchard Way and Christine Lane, in the El Pico subdivision.

Furey wants to build a 2,838-square-foot addition to the double car garage to accommodate an office, a restroom, a grooming area and space for 10 cats, 20 small dogs and 40 large dogs.

The planning staff’s report states there will be a 6-foot privacy fence around the perimeter of the parcel, along with indoor and outdoor cages for the animals.

Furey told staffers it would be built with 8-inch concrete, foam-insulated block to help reduce sound.

“This will guarantee that the pets never disturb our neighbors’ comfort,” Furey said in an application letter to the county.

All pets would be monitored with a camera and security system, and be brought indoors after 5 p.m.

“Our commitment is to provide pets with a clean, well-kept, well-cared for environment,” Furey said.

♦ Dollar General is seeking rezoning approval to build a 9,100 square-foot store at the corner of Cortez and Treiman boulevards, near Ridge Manor.

To view the entire agenda, visit http://www.co.hernando.fl.us/

[email protected]

(352) 544-5290

Leave a Reply