Take a look at the currently approved 2009 concept map.  
To this map the developer is wanting to add at least an additional 120 houses...   Check out on our County Docs page..

Montverde is in the News.  Read Lauren Ritchie's October 9 Article in The Lake Sentinel here...
Montverde is Poised it Give Up Its Identity

We've gotten a new posting from the mymontverde.com website.  

 The Town of Montverde has put together some information outlining both the background to the application and also the benefits to the Town, as they see it,  should they go ahead with annexation.  Some of the statements in this document contradict what was said in the minutes of June 28, 2016.  Clarification on this matter would be useful.

Black East for Website

"For me it all comes down to if we do not choose to annex this in, we open the door for Lake County and or Minneola to take control and of course neither of these entities will have  Montverde or its Residents in their best interest." 

Minutes of June 28, 2016

“If they annex into the Town, this agreement would no longer apply and they would conform to the Town’s FLU and zoning. Based on the ISBA agreement they can only annex into Montverde if they choose not to develop in the county. They could not be annexed into Clermont or Minneola.”  - Anita Geraci-Carver

The document is listed below and available for download...

The Town of Montverde is being requested by Pineloch Management Corporation to annex a property not physically connected to the town. It is called Blackstill East. Located on the corner of Fosgate and Blackstill Road, across from Bella Collina and the Trails of Montverde. A 2005 approved plan already exists, calling for 114 half-acre lots on the 117 acres. 

The Pineloch Management Corporation also developed Highland Ranch, previously called Blackstill West.  That development is located south of the Turnpike on Blackstill Road and Old Hwy 50. 

On Sept. 27, 2016 a Special Council Meeting about the annexation was held for public comment and was well attended. It was clear few people knew about the proposal.  The developer is requesting not to adhere to the Montverde’s Land Development Code of half-acre lots. The ramifications of such high density being incorporated into the Town were of great concern. 

The number of new homes discussed at this meeting was 234.  Repeatedly it was stated: 117 acres, 234 homes, means half-acre lots. No one accepted the math on that. Room is needed for roads, easements, dry retention ponds, etc. After much persistence from the citizens, it was reluctantly acknowledged there would be smaller lots, but estimates were not provided.

Only due to a technical error, was the Council’s vote on whether to move forward with the request 

of annexation, zoning amendment, etc., postponed until October 11, 2016. 

Many aspects of the annexation request had already been discussed at the Council’s previous three Workshops, the first one being in April. The recorded Minutes from these Workshops are very enlightening and available on the websites listed below. 

The May 3rd presentation by the developers called for 283 homes. They compared this density to the developments on the south side of the Turnpike, the high-density sprawl they have already generated. This high density would also become the benchmark that is required under a likely scenario if annexation is approved.  No comparison was discussed of the multiple acre sites right across the street at the Trails of Montverde, Vinola Gardens, Vista Verde Estates, etc.  

From the Workshop Minutes, three options can be concluded.  

Option 1:  No annexation
Town maintains control of its own destiny;  Higher County standards apply to the development of Blackstill East;  Return of $250,000 deposit if town decides not to provide water.

Option 2:  Annexation  +  Town of Montverde provides water
Little control on home density;   Developer demands at least 225 homes;   Town must use $250,000 deposit to provide access to Town’s water;   Actual cost unknown, the Mayor’s guess is at least double.

Option 3: Annexation  +  Town of Montverde gives up agreement to provide water
No control on home density;   Requirement triggered to use developments such as Highland Ranch as density benchmark;   Enticement to keep $250,000.

Much time was spent on talk of future revenues and collection of impact fees for the Town of Montverde. Once Annexation is approved however, the dominos can only fall in one direction. There is already disappointment with the unexpected lack of control over the number of homes. What other misunderstood or unforeseen consequences are waiting in the wings? Annexation is the common tool used to remove the wisdom and protection, which a Comprehensive Plan provides. 

A Winter Park Consultant, representing Blackstill Lake Development, describes the Town’s decision as “a tradeoff between quality of life and the future financial security of the Town” (see June 28 Minutes).  Consider the source of this advice. 

Read the Minutes.  Ask questions.  Make the Council Members prove the conclusions above are incorrect.

www.OurMontverde.com has easy direct access to these public documents (plus maps, plats and other reference).

www.MyMontverde.com  the official website for the Town of Montverde, originally posted the same documents. 

Excerpt from May 3, 2016 Workshop Minutes

“Sean Parks - the County is looking for higher standards even than Clermont.” 

“Councilman Peacock said that the density they were asking for would be a hard sell to the residents of the town. Mr. Caruso said that he understood that and was why they had focused on the financial benefit to the town. Councilman Peacock stated while the revenue was always welcome, unlike some towns Montverde was not broke. “

“Councilman Peacock said that if the density they were asking for is approved and annexation takes place it would expand the town by over 40 percent. Sean Parks suggested that there were builders out there who would develop half-acre lots; it was just that they don’t want to do it. The higher the density, the more valuable the project becomes when partnering with a builder. “

Excerpt from June 28, 2016 Workshop Minutes

“Anita Geraci-Carver said that she had a copy of the Future Land Use ordinance and zoning ordinance adopted by the county in 2009. In 2007 they got their future land use designation which allowed for urban expansion in the county of four dwelling units to the acre. There were further limitations imposed which restricted residential development to 125 units on 117 acres. “

“If they annex into the Town, this agreement would no longer apply and they would conform to the Town’s FLU and zoning. Based on the ISBA agreement they can only annex into Montverde if they choose not to develop in the county. They could not be annexed into Clermont or Minneola.” 

“For reference Graham Wells offered a visualization of what 195 homes would look like in Magnolia Terrace. A maximum of 175 homes was suggested. “

Excerpt from April 26, 2016 Workshop Minutes 

“An original agreement was entered into in 2005 and a deposit of $225,000 was paid to the town in advance to provide water services to the development.” 

“If the property is annexed and the water supplied by Clermont then the town would retain the $250,000. For this to happen the town would have to agree to a density level and price point comparable with other developments along SR50 and Blackstill Lake Road.   Blackstill West density is between 2.8 dwelling units per acre (du/ac) and 3.0 du/ac and they are asking for 2.5 du/ac. “ 

Note: This italicized portion is not in the Minutes, but for your reference:  “Blackstill West” is “Highland Ranch”
Highland’s developer is the same one requesting the Montverde Blackstill East annexation.

At Highland,  lot sizes are considerably less than ¼ acre. As noted above, they used the 2.8-3.0 du/ac density.
This does not mean 2.8 or 3 houses per acre; rather it is a classification that helps determine minimum lot sizes.

Common lot size at Highland Ranch:   50x118 (5,900 sq ft),   65x121 (7,865 sq ft),   a 50-60 width is most common

One acre is 43,560 sq ft,   a quarter-acre is 10,890 sq ft

October 11, 2016 - 7:00pm
Public Meeting with a Vote on Annexation.

Let your voice be heard before the meeting.     Let your voice be heard at the meeting.

www.OurMontverde.com