Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved and first published through The Villages-News' website.
The Villages News, a publication that serves The Villages, the world’s largest 55+ community, reports that two well-connected businessmen, brothers of long-time Villages recreation director, John Rohan, are among the partners seeking to build an RV park adjacent to The Villages. Paul and Tim Rohan, with partners Carl Curly and Daniel Gibbs, have filed an application with Lake County to build a 631-site RV park on about 90 acres owned by the Burke family behind their now-closed restaurant, Burke’s BBQ. The new development, which would include sites for permanent, mobile-home models, would sit directly behind the backyards of Villages homes. Plans for the park include a 3.4-acre Amenity Village including a clubhouse and pool, plus multiple bathhouses and two wastewater lift stations.
The
developers previously sought approval from the city of Fruitland Park to build
the RV park which would then be annexed by the city, but were turned down. They
then approached the county which sought comment from Fruitland Park. The city
commissioners there sent back a letter opposing the park, expressing a fear
that the park would bring low-income housing to the area.