A plan to build up to 300 single-family homes on nearly 91 acres in Summerfield is moving forward to public hearings, though county staff have advised against approval.
The Estate of M. Couture and family partners filed the application through Tillman and Associates Engineering, seeking to change the land use from Rural Land (RL) to Medium Residential (MR) and rezone from General Agriculture (A-1) to Planned Unit Development (PUD).
The property, located on the west side of SE 73rd Avenue and north of SE Highway 42, forms an “L”-shaped tract totaling 90.69 acres of a larger 104-acre site. Concept plans submitted under the name “Coventry” show 50- and 60-foot wide lots, stormwater areas, and community amenities. The layout includes two access points: one on SE 73rd Avenue and another through a shared connection with St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church to Highway 42.
If approved, the development would carry a density of 3.31 dwelling units per acre, about 83 percent of the maximum allowable under the proposed Medium Residential designation.
Marion County Growth Services staff recommended denial, citing conflicts with the county’s Comprehensive Plan and state law. The site sits outside the county’s Urban Growth Boundary, within the Secondary Springs Protection Overlay Zone, and in a designated flood-prone area. Staff argued that urban expansion should occur where existing infill land is still available, particularly east and southeast of the site.
The report also noted that no market study or needs analysis was provided, a traffic study had not been completed, and a traffic methodology was only approved earlier this year. Concerns were raised over transportation network capacity, fire services, and other public infrastructure.
Staff concluded the request amounted to a premature conversion of rural land into urban use and was inconsistent with Florida Statutes governing growth management. As of the staff report’s release, one letter of support had been received, including a submission from St. Mark’s Church citing interest in a shared access arrangement. No letters of opposition were on file.
The Planning and Zoning Commission hearing scheduled for August 25 is the second time the case has appeared on the agenda. It was continued from June 30 to allow additional review.
Because the application covers more than 50 acres, it qualifies as a large-scale amendment. If recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission, the request will advance to the Board of County Commissioners for a transmittal hearing on September 18. At that stage, commissioners will decide whether to send the proposal to state and regional agencies for review. Only after state and regional comments are returned would the County Commission hold a final adoption hearing to approve or deny the plan.
If both the land use amendment and rezoning are granted, Enclave Housing, LLC, listed as developer, would be permitted to move forward with construction of the Coventry subdivision.
