Despite objections from residents, Leesburg Commissioners voted 4-1 Monday to approved rezoning and annexation for a 502 single-family development on 202 acres off County Road 33.

Next door neighbor James Revels complained that it would be “an island” surrounded by agricultural uses, including his 10-acre pig farm.

However, the continued march of developments south of the old city limits may not result in the parcel south of Lake Brite Street and north of Bridges and Austin Merritt Roads being an “island” for long. The property will be developed by Hanover Land Co.

Letters had poured into the Planning and Zoning office complaining of potential loss of wildlife, peace and quiet, and traffic congestion was on the minds of those who spoke out. One letter came from the Lake County Board of Commissioners objecting to the annexation.

Hanover and its consultant said the company was contributing over $2 million to ease congestion where CR 33 and County Roads 48 and 470 come together. The project, partially funded by the county, calls for turn lanes and traffic lights.

Commissioner Jay Connell, who voted against the project, called the intersection improvement “a Band-Aid on a knife wound.”

Connell, who unsuccessfully called for an annexation moratorium last year, did get the other commissioners to insist that the developer,  community development district, or homeowners’ association take responsibility for the streets instead of the city.

Gerald Robinson said traffic is already unbearable on CR 33, saying it is difficult to even get out of his driveway.

One woman complained “The Villages is already on top of us.  “They don’t look,” she said of its motorists.

One young woman said she was worried about water pollution, sinkholes and whether an ambulance could reach her elderly grandfather due to the traffic.

There is a construction landfill to the west. Developer Ben Snyder said the project will ensure that the landfill will still have access.

Before commissioners voted to approve the project, Revels pleaded, “We hope you are listening to us,” he said, gesturing to more than a dozen residents in the room.

“We don’t know what we’re going to do,” he said of his family after the meeting.

He said his family has lived in the area for more than 100 years.

“I know someone will be coming to my fence saying they don’t like the smell and flies,” he said of his livestock.

“Can we not have any agriculture in Leesburg and not just rooftops?” Connell said.