LEESBURG, Fla. – On a tranquil Saturday morning, U.S. Highway 441 in Leesburg might seem peaceful, but Matthew Capistran, a local resident, claims the weekday traffic paints a very different picture.

“There’s just an overwhelming amount of development everywhere,” Capistran remarked. “You venture out and encounter traffic at every turn. When the snowbirds arrive, reaching your destination becomes nearly impossible.”

Capistran points out that even merging onto the highway presents a challenge, and he fears a new development project could exacerbate the issue.

This week, city officials are reviewing plans for a 12,000-square-foot mixed-use project near Pemble Road, adjacent to the highway. The proposal includes 278 apartments, a clubhouse, a leasing office, and a boathouse.

“In my view, more houses mean more traffic, and the infrastructure isn’t equipped to handle it,” Capistran explained. “With The Villages expanding into this area, navigating anywhere is only going to become more difficult.”

The property would sit right next to Brittany Estates, and some community members spoke out at last week’s Lake County Commission meeting. 

“Highway 441 is already a challenging road, especially to go left,” one resident told commissioners. “Honestly, I feel like I’m playing Frogger every time I try.”

Others raised concerns about flooding.

FDOT is preparing to start several projects on 441, including resurfacing from Mills Street to College Drive.

City leaders are set to review the development plans at their next Leesburg City Commission meeting on Monday.