Plans for Chason Woods changing

The developer of the proposed Chason Woods subdivision intends to cut by about half the number of planned home sites from nearly 500 on a sanitary sewer to 232 on septic tanks.

Danny Miller, a spokesman for and investor in the project with property owner Tom Gould of Longboat Key, said the change was made in response to concerns expressed by the public and Leon County staff members. They are worried about the impact of such a large development outside the urban service area just north of Wakulla Springs.

Developers had asked to be allowed a variance to cut in half the lot size typically required for conservation subdivisions so they could sell more homes and bring sanitary sewer service to the development.

The county’s Development Review Committee on Wednesday recommended to the County Commission that it deny that request and the proposal in its entirety.

The new plan will not seek any lot-size deviation. The lots will be a minimum of a half-acre. All the homes would be on septic tanks.

“We tried our best to get sewer down there,” Miller said. “We don’t have any other options … we just have to move forward with our 232 lots.”

Miller said drafting of the new plan is in the works and likely will be resubmitted in 60 to 90 days.

Totaling nearly 700 acres east of Wakulla Springs Road at Leon County’s southern boundary, Chason Woods would be built atop some of the most fragile land in the county.

Riddled with sinkholes and rife with underground conduits that directly connect to the aquifer and nearby spring, the property is part of the Wakulla Springs Protection Zone, which is on the state’s Top-21 priority list to purchase through the Florida Forever program.

Miller said they have received no offers from the state to purchase the property.