About the Development Send updates to save@yankeetown.com.

The developement website is here: http://www.izaakwaltonlodge.com/about/welcome.html For months there have been rumors regarding development in Yankeetown along the north bank of the Withlacoochee River. Recently, the development's conceptual layout was released to the public. It consists of two non-contiguous projects: the "Izaak Walton Lodge & Marina" and the "Cypress Inn and Marina". The proposed projects would be developed in a phased approach starting with the Izaak Walton. Reportedly, the two projects, even at the conceptual stage, meet all of the current zoning requirements. As a sanity check, a layperson has looked at the general zoning of the properties being acquired for the "Izaak Walton Lodge & Marina" and the "Cypress Inn and Marina" to see if there were any obvious deviations between the general zoning and the project concepts. Note: If the proposed projects do seek local permitting, then Yankeetown's Zoning Official will ensure compliance with all applicable town ordinances during the review and approval of the projects' site plans and subsequent applications for building permits. The required elements of these reviews are contained in Chapter 21 of the town's ordinances and reach a surprising level of detail. These reviews also look beyond zoning to assess the impact on the town's infrastructure such as potable water, fire protection, storm run off, waste water disposal, traffic patterns, etc. The "Cypress Inn and Marina" will be reviewed first because it involves converting a parcel of land currently zoned R1A, Single Family Residence, into commercial property. Cypress Inn and Marina The "Cypress Inn and Marina" will be formed by acquiring three contiguous properties with different zonings: B's Marina zoned C2 (Secondary Commercial) Yankeetown Marina zoned C1A (Primary Commercial for Motel and Marina) Undeveloped parcel between B's Marina and Yankeetown Marina zoned R1A (Single Family Residence) The below pictures shows the current zoning boundaries between the three properties proposed for agglomeration to support the "Cypress Inn and Marina". The middle property is currently zoned R1A. This zoning is essentially single family detached dwellings with a density of one dwelling per ½ acre. The only permitted commercial activities are customary home occupations even private driveways accessing commercial districts are prohibited. The proposed development erects multiple family residential buildings, a restaurant, a cabana restaurant and lounge on this property. This does not appear to meet the requirements of R1A zoning. The upstream property, known as B's Marina, is currently zoned C2. The proposed development erects a 200 slip dry rack boat storage building with 30 residential units incorporated within its perimeter. There are also bait, tackle, and fueling facilities in the proposed design. C2 does allow the proposed retail activities, motels, multifamily residences, and apartments. However, it does not allow dry storage marinas. Only C1A1, Special Marina District, allows dry storage marinas. The downstream property, known as Yankeetown Marina, is currently zoned C1A. This zoning allows the same usage as R1A plus an approved marina or motel. The proposed development places a multifamily, residential building (three living levels over ground level parking) on this property. It is not clear that multifamily residential meets the definition of "motel". In addition, C1A has a maximum height restriction of 35 feet from the average natural grade elevation to the highest point on the roof. It is not clear how three living levels over ground level parking can fit within the 35 ft envelop. Cypress Inn and Marina: Summary Commercial activities are proposed for property currently zoned R1A. 200 unit high and dry storage is proposed for property currently zoned C2 Multifamily residential is proposed for property currently zoned C1A Four story buildings (three living levels over ground level parking) are proposed for property zoned with a maximum height above grade of 35 Ft. Izaak Walton Lodge and Marina The "Izaak Walton Lodge and Marina" will be formed by acquiring two contiguous properties with identical zonings: Izaak Walton Lodge zoned C2 (Secondary Commercial) Riverside Marina zoned C2 (Secondary Commercial) The proposed development maintains the existing Izaak Walton Lodge structure and proposes to continue its current usage as a restaurant and banquet facility. Therefore, it is concluded that this facet of the conceptual design would be within the current zoning. However, it is noted that expanding the Lodge's operating hours and patronage is likely to over load the legacy practice of allowing Lodge customers to park on the right-of-way, at neighboring businesses, and near the town hall. The off-street parking capacity for the expansion of the Lodge's operations should be coordinated with the off-street parking created for the new multipurpose building and 78 slip marina discussed below. The proposed design erects a new two story multiuse building between the existing Lodge and Riverside Drive. The new multiuse building would have: Ground Floor: 4,500 sq. ft. for retail activities 1,500 sq. ft for Bed & Breakfast Upper Floor: 12 rooms for Bed & Breakfast The project's conceptual layout does not depict new off-street parking for the existing Lodge or the new multiple purpose building. Since the multipurpose building is new, it follows that it should comply with the town ordinance regarding off-street parking for new structures. Thus, one would expect 45 new parking spaces for the 4,500 sq ft of retail activities plus one for each Bed & Breakfast room. So around 57 new parking spaces would be the minimum expected for the new multipurpose building. The project also includes creating 78 wet boat slips. It is not clear if these are for the exclusive use of the occupants of the residential units or will be available for rental to the general public as marina boat slips. The applicable ordinance appears to require one off-street parking space for each marina boat slip. The project also erects three new multifamily residential buildings; one on the former Izaak Walton Lodge property and two on the former Riverside Marina site. The one on the former Lodge property is proposed as an 18 unit building with two living levels over ground level parking. The two on the former Riverside site is proposed as 20 units each with three living levels over ground level parking. All of the new structures (including the new multiuse building) must fit under the 40 ft maximum height, from natural grade to the highest point on the roof, limit of the C2 zoning. The entire project also has to meet the C2 limit of less than 50% of the available land area can have an impervious surface. This includes buildings and paving. Izaak Walton Lodge and Marina: Summary Creation of the new multiuse building, 78 slip marina, and expanding the Lodge's operation will probably require a significant off-street parking capacity which is not mentioned in the conceptual design. All of the new structures must fit within the 40 ft maximum height above grade limit.

Get Involved Write to save@yankeetown.com for more information on how you can help.

Return to the Save Yankeetown homepage