HARDEE COUNTY, Fla. — A massive new housing development is being proposed in one of Florida’s most rural counties, and it’s already drawing strong reactions from residents.
The project, submitted by Mooney Family, LLC and known as the Villages of Payne Creek, calls for an age-restricted community with 7,602 homes a few miles west of Bowling Green in Hardee County. Plans also include commercial space, a healthcare facility and a fire station. The homes would include a collection of single-family homes, multi-family units and RV spaces.
WATCH: Proposed 7,602-home development could double the population of Hardee County
County Manager Terry Atchley says if fully built out, the development could dramatically reshape the county.
“It would be a huge transformation. There’s no doubt about that,” Atchley said after a public workshop Thursday night.
Atchley estimated that if all 7,602 dwelling units were constructed, the county’s population could potentially double over time.
However, county leaders stress the proposal is still in its early stages. No votes have been taken, and no approvals have been granted. The project would require review and approval at both the county and state levels before moving forward.
Dozens of residents attended Thursday’s workshop to voice opinions and ask questions.
Some, like Hardee County cattle rancher Thomas Petro, are concerned about the long-term impact on infrastructure and the community's rural character.
“They’re not going to like it. Our whole way of life, our quiet farm life, it’s going to be forever changed,” Petro said.
Petro and others worry the project would mean bigger roads, more development and ultimately turn rural Hardee County into something more like Lakewood Ranch or The Villages.
“They’re going to need strip malls. They’re going to need grocery stores. They’re going to need gas stations,” Petro said.
Others see the proposal as an opportunity.
“I like the idea of what they’re doing,” said Hardee County resident Rick Bateman.
Bateman and other supporters argue the county needs economic growth and expanded housing options. They say the development could also bring new tax revenue and investment to a county long dependent on agriculture, particularly citrus, which has faced years of decline.
“A county does not stay neutral. It either grows or it dies,” Bateman said.
Planners say, if approved, the community would be built in phases over many years, with road expansions and utility upgrades happening in tandem with the growth.
For now, the proposal remains under review. County leaders say additional studies and public input will be part of the process before any final decisions are made.
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Chad Mills calls Polk County home and has witnessed the area’s growth firsthand. He keeps his eye on the City of Lakeland, our agriculture community, and helping you navigate everyday expenses. Use the form below to share your story ideas with Chad.
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