Project1:Layout 1 6/10/2014 1:13 PM Page 1 Golf: Matsuyama first from Japan to win Masters / B1 MONDAY TODAY CITRUSCOUNTY & next morning HIGH 84 Mostly sunny; LOW lower humidity by afternoon. 51 PAGE A4 www.chronicleonline.com APRIL 12, 2021 Florida’s Best Community Newspaper Serving Florida’s Best Community $1 VOL. 126 ISSUE 186 NEWS BRIEFS Making room for many more Citrus County COVID-19 cases RV resort in works for northern Crystal River; city staff reviewing plans According to the BUSTER THOMPSON the 85-acre resort north of the planned-unit-development mas- housing for active people. Florida Department of Staff writer Crystal River Mall. ter plan City Council approved in “We’d like to have something Health, 17 positive “We’re really excited about September with a 5-0 vote. that sets us apart,” said Dean, cases were reported An RV resort with the parking this project,” he said. “I think it’s “Assuming they do meet the who’s the son of former county in Citrus County since and utility hookups to accommo- going to be a positive, economic standards, they can proceed with sheriff and state senator Charlie the latest update. date just under 600 recreational impact to the city of Crystal River development based on staff re- Dean Sr. “We’re like a lifestyle, No new deaths vehicles is ready to sprout in with tourists coming in, spending view,” Herrmann said. “They and the lifestyle we’re trying to were reported, for a northern Crystal River. multiple nights there — maybe need not go back to city sell is outdoor activities.” total of 437. City staff, as of Friday, April 9, even months — and being a part council.” Not only will Hidden Lakes To date in the was still reviewing the Hidden of the community.” Dean, who, according to him offer its own recreational ameni- Lakes Preserve RV Resort proj- Brian Herrmann, director of and the Citrus County Property ties, Dean said, but its closeness county, 10,540 people ect submitted to city hall by de- Crystal River’s planning and Appraiser’s Office, bought the to Crystal River gives its tenants have tested positive velopers in late March. community development depart- two parcels of Hidden Lakes in access to shops and restaurants (including Property owner Charlie Dean ment, said staff has been review- November for $3.4 million, said within the city. 92 non-residents). Jr. said work can start as soon as ing the project to ensure it the resort will be a 55-and-older No new hospitaliza- city staffers give their OK on matches with a similar community promoting affordable See MORE/Page A2 tions were reported, for a total of 685 hospitalized. Totals reflect prelim- inary reports received by the state, and are subject to revision. Register to Function vs. ‘fluff’ get COVID vaccine DOH-Citrus’ prereg- istration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for all individuals 18 and older and front- line health care work- ers is now available. Individuals can now be added to a waiting list for vaccine ap- pointments and be no- tified when appointments are available in Citrus County by visiting myvaccine.fl.gov or by calling 866-201-0442; TTY is 833-476-1036. As part of the state- wide preregistration system, each county has a designated number that individu- als can call and pre- register with if they do not have internet ac- cess. In Citrus, call 833-540-2058. Vaccine supply re- mains limited and ap- MATTHEW BECK/Chronicle pointments may not County commissioners will discuss plans to replace the current animal shelter by the Inverness Airport. The facility has fallen on hard be available for sev- times. eral weeks. — From staff reports County commissioners to discuss building new animal shelter for Citrus POLL GO ONLINE: MICHAEL D. BATES and costs. The workshop will be at the — not a Taj Mahal, he said. Staff writer Citrus County Courthouse, 110 N. Apopka But there may be an alternative. Ex- What do Ave. in Inverness. pect much discussion Tuesday about the Since 2014, county commissioners have And cost will likely be the problem new shelter Lake County recently built. you think? been discussing building a new animal again. An architect from the Bacon Group It’s got a simple design, no unnecessary County commissioners shelter to replace the outdated facility at will present cost estimates and design op- frills and — most importantly — it only are discussing the the Inverness Airport. tions. The estimated price tag is cost about $7 million. Nobody denies a new shelter is needed $11.5 million. potential costs to but the stumbling block has always been Commissioner Jeff Kinnard said that A trip to Lake County construct a new animal cost. price will likely be “dead on arrival.” Commissioners Holly Davis and Com- shelter in Citrus County. The board will get another shot at it on Kinnard said he wonders if the Bacon missioner Ruthie Schlabach — along What do you think? Tuesday, April 13, when they hold a work- Group people even considered the coun- shop at 9 a.m. to discuss design options ty’s needs for a simple, practical shelter See FUNCTION/Page A2 A. The current shelter is rundown and falling apart. A new shelter is a must-have. I completely support it. B. Constructing a new Citrus seeks ideas from Lake County shelter shelter is a good investment, and there is MICHAEL D. BATES we ultimately no better time than the Staff writer used.” Q: Was practi- present to build. How did Lake County com- cality more a However, I think more missioners go about building concern than discussion should be their new animal shelter at such For an online cost when dis- done before a decision a reasonable cost and still make video, click on cussing the new is made. it functional? this story at shelter? C. The cost for a new Here’s what Whitney Boyl- www.chronicle A: “Embrac- ston, director of the Lake ing humane build is too high; repair online.com. what is in place. County Office of Animal Ser- standards of D. The county shouldn’t vices, said: care and sheltering best prac- be running a shelter at Q: What process did Lake tices was important to us. How- all. County commissioners go ever, all government building through to build your shelter? projects are influenced by cost.” To vote, visit www. Did they hire a consultant and Q: Why did Lake County chronicleonline.com. did they go with the consultant’s build a new animal shelter? Scroll down the home estimates? A: “The previous shelter was page and look for the A: “We worked with an archi- not designed with a no-kill mis- tect who was working with a sion in mind and the building poll box in the right- consultant. The process in- itself had reached the end of hand column. cluded a needs-assessment life. It was no longer economi- Results will appear Special to the Chronicle based on trends and projec- cally viable to continue to main- next Monday. Find last Lake County’s previous shelter was not designed with a no-kill mission in mind tions. The original estimate tain, upgrade and repair the week’s online poll and the building itself had reached the end of life, said Whitney Boylston, (about $12 million) was much results./Page A3 director of the Lake County Office of Animal Services. higher than the design that See IDEAS/Page A7 Classifieds . .B7 Crossword . .B10 INDEX Horoscope . A4 Movies . .B6 Comics . .B6 Editorial. A6 Lottery Numbers . .B3 TV Listings. .B5 Extra puzzles . .B4 Entertainment . A4 Lottery Payouts . .B3 A2 MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021 LOCAL CITRUS COUNTY (FL) CHRONICLE Dean also owns and maintains 80 acres of pro- MORE tected natural lands on the Continued from Page A1 northwest border of the up- lands Hidden Lakes will be “This property gives peo- built on. ple best of both worlds,” “It’s got to be kept in its Dean said. “I know our natural state,” he said. group will be active within As trees get felled to the community, within the make way for Hidden city.” Lakes, Dean said, work Crystal River Mayor Joe crews will layer loads of ex- Meek said he appreciates cavated and imported sand Dean’s investment, which, across the resort to grade it. he said, will encourage a More fill and foundation bounty of travelers to stay will be added to the bot- and enjoy the city’s natural toms of the resort’s treasures. more-permanent struc- “We are very excited tures, raising them above about this project,” he said. the 12-foot base flood levels “We think it’s going to be an- recently set by the Federal other great amenity to have Emergency Management in Crystal River.” Agency. Plans for Hidden Lakes Depending on how fast it show 586 RV lots surround- fills with lessees, the re- ing a fitness center, wood- sort’s 586 RV lots will be shop, laundry room, nature paved throughout three trails, courts for bocci and construction phases, start- pickleball and a clubhouse ing with 200 within the first and pool overlooking a fish- 18 months of ground able lake. Dean said the re- breaking. sort will have an activities When city council was re- director scheduling regular viewing the Hidden Lakes events. plan, concerns were raised Dean said RV tenants about the development’s will have the option of ei- proximity to residents. ther staying overnight or Dean said a 25-foot buffer they can sign a lease for ei- of dense vegetation and a ther three, six or 12 months.