LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A new housing development proposal in Mascotte has residents divided. If approved, it would bring 2,000 new homes to the small community. 

What You Need To Know

  • The town of Mascotte has about 6,600 residents

  • If the new housing development is approved the town could potentially double in size

  • Some residents want to keep the town rural

  • Other residents are open to the idea, once the town gets more resources to have a bigger population

Ruben Gonzalez has lived in the Lake County area since he was 2 years old. He knows the area pretty well. His passion for fitness and health led him to own a business focusing on just that.

"I started shop cause I wanted to bring something local to the community that was healthy for them," said Gonzalez, owner of Royal Attraction Nutrition.

He told Spectrum News 13 he loves the Mascotte community. He believes growth is a good thing for the area and for his business.

"It’s not just a good thing because it’ll bring more business, but it’ll give me the ability to impact more lives, to impact more people, and to bring my nutrition into more homes," said Gonzalez.

But the proposed 2,000 housing development that would double the size of the town doesn’t excite everyone. Arie Schlundt said he moved to Mascotte from South Orlando to avoid the city life and everything that comes with it.

"We’re not a metropolitan area, we’re a small rural community. There’s a lot of agriculture out here. They’re taking it away by adding these huge housing developments," said Schlundt. 

It’s something Schlundt is so passionate about, that he’s created an online petition. So he and other residents who are against this housing development are heard.

"We’re imploring our council members to take a second look at this and making sure they’re making all the right decisions," said Schlundt. 

While Schlundt loves his small-town living, he and other residents say they’re open to growth down the road.

"If they were to actually incorporate the correct type of infrastructure here. They would widen the roads, multi-lane roads, change intersections up. Make sure they were ready for it by adding more schools, stores, the whole nine-yards it might be a better thing for the area," said Schlundt.

But Schlundt says right now that’s not the case. As for Gonzalez and his small business friends, they say they welcome change with open arms.

The City of Mascotte is in the workshop session of deciding this proposal. The city manager told Spectrum News 13 there will be opportunities for residents to speak up about the housing development prior to the city council’s decision.