A massive new development planned for Hernando County, Florida, is raising concerns about infrastructure capacity, according to local real estate expert Victoria Perez of Tropic Shores Realty, who says the project could bring an estimated 10,000 new residents to the area.
“Last I heard they were doing 2,500 units,” Perez says of the planned Sandal Key development, which will feature a man-made lagoon similar to the Epperson community in Wesley Chapel. The development, located off US 19, represents one of the largest single residential projects in the county’s history.
The scale of the development has sparked debate about the area’s readiness for such growth. “Some people in the county are not too excited that they’re bringing in such a large community with an influx of people. Because maybe our infrastructure can’t support it, maybe our schools can’t support it, our roads aren’t supporting it,” Perez explains.
While acknowledging these concerns, Perez sees potential benefits if managed properly. “I think it’s also going to bring business to the local businesses around and I think it could be a positive thing if we handle it correctly,” she says, suggesting the development could stimulate economic growth.
The development comes as Hernando County is already experiencing significant growth. Perez notes increasing interest from out-of-state buyers, particularly from northern states like New York and Chicago, attracted by the area’s relative affordability.
The project highlights broader challenges facing growing secondary markets. While developments like Sandal Key can bring economic benefits, they also test the limits of existing infrastructure. “It’s going to draw in quite a bit of family, similar to what Epperson did in Wesley Chapel,” Perez notes, referencing another large-scale development’s impact.
As Hernando County continues to attract both military families and civilian relocations, the pressure on local infrastructure is likely to increase. The success of large developments like Sandal Key may depend on how effectively local authorities can balance growth with infrastructure capacity.
