Builder makes splash with boat-dock proposal

HORIZON WEST Residents of the Overlook at Hamlin and The Cove at Hamlin communities are one step closer to enjoying lazy Saturdays on Lake Hancock.

Builder Taylor Morrison unveiled its plans for a boat ramp and adjoining dock at a June 7 community meeting. Residents of both Horizon West neighborhoods came out in support of the builder-funded project.

The ramp, located in the Overlook at Hamlin community, would allow the 646 lots in the communities access to the boat ramp on Lake Hancock with the use of either a code or key fob. The dock is planned to be a simple concrete driveway going into the lake, where residents put their boats into the water. No parking would be allowed on site, so residents will need to return their cars and trailers to their homes before continuing into the water.

One resident suggested a pick-up location be placed in The Cove so people returning their cars to their homes in The Cove could be picked up by the rest of the party in the boat. Planners agreed with her suggestion.

“That is a very good point,” said Chris Tyree, vice president of land development for Taylor Morrison. “That is something we can definitely look at.” 

Residents reacted more strongly at the end of the meeting when Tyree mentioned 34 lakefront owners in Summerlake wanted to use the ramp, because their community is not able to have a boat ramp because of restrictions enacted on the community in the early 2000s. The Summerlake residents would pay maintenance fees, as would Overlook at Hamlin residents. 

Many voiced strong opposition to that suggestion, stating it was the first time they heard that idea mentioned. Tyree said the Summerlake residents approached him in the few days leading up to the meeting, after they learned of the community meeting.

Some neighbors mentioned allowing those 34 residents could cause traffic issues and devalue their use of a boat ramp, saying they paid extra to live in the Overlook at Hamlin because they knew they would have a boat ramp.

But by the end of the meeting, several Hamlin residents agreed to talk with Summerlake residents to try to devise a solution.

“I’ve been working with Taylor Morrison for almost two years to get a boat launch in the Overlook, so I’m super excited that could be nearing finalization of the plans,” said Overlook at Hamlin resident Monica Kozak. “At this point, we really need to sit down and understand what the needs are of those 34 families before we can make any good judgment calls, because this information was totally new to us tonight.” 

The project must receive approval from the Orange County Board of County Commissioners; a hearing date has not yet been set. Following approval, construction should take 90 to 120 days.