Commission approves Panther Run PUD after lengthy debate over wildlife corridor, water and traffic

The Lake County commission approved the Panther Run planned unit development Sept. 1 after a multi‑hour public hearing and staff presentation. The applicant described a Wellness Way‑aligned project covering about 2,241 gross acres with a base residential program of roughly 2,559 units (the applicant cited an upper cap of 2,624 units after density bonuses), more than 1,000,000 square feet of nonresidential floor area, a potential 50‑acre high‑school site, and a large wildlife‑corridor/open‑space network the applicant said would connect to regional conservation areas.

Opponents requested a continuance or more precise protections for the corridor and asked the board to require specific mapping, stewardship and funding commitments before granting permanent rezoning. "I respectfully ask you to continue this rezoning to a date certain," said Nicole Marie, an environmental advocate, while others warned about groundwater and traffic capacity. The applicant and staff said infrastructure obligations — including construction of framework roads and utility extensions, dedication of right of way, and proportionate‑share school mitigation — are required as part of the PUD. After board discussion the motion to approve carried.