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NEWBERRY ‒ The City of Newberry has taken a step toward expanding commercial activity along its growing western corridor. On July 14, 2025, the City Commission voted to approve both a Small-Scale Future Land Use Map Amendment and a zoning change for a 50-acre property located just west of Destiny Community Church on West Newberry Road.

The approvals pave the way for a potential large-scale commercial development known as Crystal Lake, though city officials emphasized that no development will proceed until detailed site plans are submitted and approved.

The property, located at 21236 W. Newberry Road, had been classified as Agricultural on the city’s Future Land Use Map and zoned Agricultural (A). Commissioners voted unanimously to change the land use designation to Commercial and rezone the site to Commercial, Intensive (CI) — a designation that allows for a wide range of retail, service, and business uses.

Newberry Principal Planner Jean-Paul W. Perez presented the application on behalf of NV5 Global, Inc., which represents property owner HCNB Sapp LLC. The applicant requested both land use and zoning changes to enable future commercial development, although no specific project or site plan has been submitted to date.

“This is a land use and zoning change only. A separate process will govern what is ultimately built,” said Perez.

Under Newberry’s development regulations, all new commercial construction must undergo a site and development plan review, including traffic, stormwater, architectural, and landscaping standards. The city also evaluates potential impacts on utilities, transportation corridors, and adjacent land uses before issuing permits.

City officials noted that the approval does not guarantee any specific type of business, shopping center, or other use will be developed. However, the Commercial, Intensive zoning allows for uses including retail centers, gas stations, hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, and other service-oriented businesses.

The Crystal Lake site sits along State Road 26, a key east-west artery that connects Newberry to Gainesville. In recent years, Newberry has seen steady growth along this corridor, with new housing developments, expanded infrastructure, and increased interest from commercial developers seeking to serve the western Alachua County population.

The next step for Crystal Lake would be for the property owner or developer to submit a formal site and development plan, which would be reviewed by city planning staff, the Development Review Committee, and, if necessary, the Planning and Zoning Board and City Commission.

As of July 14, no timeline for submission has been announced.

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Email cwalker@

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