NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Homeowners at the Riverside Village Estates in Pasco County say they are rejoicing after winning a decades-long battle to preserve more than 40-acres of land in their community.

The discussion of turning a wooded area into a multi-story development has ended after county commissioners and homeowners reached an agreement.

Pasco County commissioners voted unanimously on Aug. 21 to approve a plan to keep the property undeveloped, but it will cost the residents in the area to keep the green space.

Miriam Butler, the president of the Riverside Village Estates Homeowners Association, said she has been fighting to keep a 40-acre plot of land untouched for more than 10 years.

In her home, she reflects on fighting for a piece of nature outside her front door.

“That natural area — the conservation area — it really enhances the neighborhood and the quality of life that we have,” Butler said. “It’s quieter than it would be if it was fully developed.”

Original plans for a housing development on the property were struck down after dozens of residents spoke out against the idea.

“We see people from all the surrounding neighborhoods that do come into this neighborhood to walk and walk past the field and forests over there and some of them walk in it, too,” she said.

The land will now stay in its natural state, but it will cost each resident around $143 a year for the next 15 years, and just shy of $25 a year after that. According to information from Pasco County, the money collected will go toward paying off the $3 million purchase price of the land, with 0.05% interest, over 15 years.

The approximately $25 per year after that will fund overhead costs for maintaining the property, which are estimated to be around $43,000 per year.

Butler said it's a price she’s willing to pay.

“Well worth it not to have the additional traffic, the cars going faster," she said. "All the problems that could’ve come in with more congestion. And we had drainage issues."