Board approves comprehensive‑plan amendment and rezoning for 3.42‑acre site on U.S. 17; both measures pass unanimously

The Hardee County Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 16 unanimously approved two related land‑use actions concerning about 3.42 acres along U.S. Highway 17 near the Bluffs and the FDOT site.

Planner Jordan Eisenstein told the board the applications, from Solar Southwest Florida LLC, were previously approved on first reading Sept. 25 and involve a planned change to the 2030 comprehensive plan future‑land‑use map and a parallel rezoning to allow commercial use of an existing radio station building at 7891 U.S. Highway 17 (the former radio station site).

Commissioner Flores moved to approve Ordinance 2025‑04, amending the comprehensive plan future‑land‑use designation for approximately 3.42 acres from agricultural to the rural center category; Commissioner Chancy seconded. The board voted “aye” and the motion passed unanimously.

Following the comp‑plan vote, the board considered Ordinance 2025‑02, a rezoning application to change the parcel from Agricultural (A‑1) to Neighborhood Commercial (C‑1) to permit commercial use of the existing radio‑station property. Commissioner Chancy moved approval; Commissioner Wells seconded. The board again voted “aye” and the ordinance passed unanimously.

The county planner said there were no changes to either application since first reading and that the applicant’s representative, Dana Riedell, was available for questions. No public comment was recorded on either vote.

Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance 2025‑04 (Comprehensive Plan amendment): motion by Commissioner Flores; second by Commissioner Chancy; outcome — approved unanimously.
- Ordinance 2025‑02 (Rezoning to Neighborhood Commercial, parcel ~3.42 acres at 7891 U.S. Highway 17): motion by Commissioner Chancy; second by Commissioner Wells; outcome — approved unanimously.

Both approvals move the parcel from agricultural use toward commercial redevelopment as described in the applications; the planner said no substantive changes were made after first reading.