Commission Meeting Draft Minutes

1. Conceptual Presentation for the Ye Olde Thrift Shoppe Expansion Plans and Renderings ― Update — Proposing to Redevelop and Expand from 6,893 Square Feet of Existing Retail to a Total of 9,530 Square Feet of Retail Gross Lease Area and Add 42 Parking Spaces, Including Two Florida ADA Accessible Parking Spaces, on Four Parcels Totaling Approximately 1.13 Acres, Addressed as 106 West Lady Lake Boulevard, Located at the Southeast Corner of the Intersection of North Highway 27/441 and West Lady Lake Boulevard, Identified by Alternate Keys 1131448, 1131430, 1131421, and 1260345 (Thad Carroll)

Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office). He noted that revisions have been made to the original plan since the meeting on September 18^th, taking the Commissioners’ comments into consideration. He turned over the presentation to Mr. Richard Campbell, President of The Villages Regional Hospital Auxiliary Foundation.

Mr. Campbell thanked the Commission for their comments and stated they took them to heart and worked together as a team to revise the plans to be presented this evening. He introduced his team: Michael Pape, Landscape Architect; Keith Riddle, Engineer; John Mays, Systems Design; Tod Rennan, Building Architect; Kevin Johnson, Supervisor with Cook Builders; and Scott Sanders, Chairman of Foundation Board. Mr. Campbell presented a short film to illustrate the Auxiliary Foundation’s mission in support of the The Villages Regional Hospital. He stated the expansion will allow them to do even more.

Michael Pape of Michael Pape & Associates explained the revised site plan which incorporates saving the historic trees and keeping the small town culture and heritage in mind by increasing green space, shifting parking and asking for a zero front setback lot line for the new building.

Tod Rennan, Architect, stated their focus was on the look of a town square so the buildings face West Lady lake Boulevard rather than facing US Hwy 27/441. Parking will be to the rear, or south side of the building.

Mayor Richards asked if there were any questions or comments.

Commissioner Hannan commended and thanked the team for the revision to the plans, and stated he was happy that the trees will be saved. He stated he still has an issue with the setbacks.

Commissioner Kussard stated she was also happy to see the changes addressing the Town’s Land Development Regulations and the drainage. She voiced her concern that the middle tree may be too close to the building. She stated she likes the new plan.

Mr. Pape stated the canopy of the tree is helping the tree to thrive despite its closeness to the building. He stated root pruning will be done to help the trees and that he feels these trees will thrive for another 100 years.

Commissioner Holden, Commissioner Vincent, and Mayor Richards stated they are in favor of the revisions to the plan.

It was the consensus of the Commissioners to have the site plan for the expansion of Ye Olde Thrift Shoppe move forward as presented.