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NEWBERRY ‒ Riled Newberry residents turned out for the City of Newberry July 24 Commission meeting to express their concerns regarding a request for a zoning change from Residential, Single-Family (RSF-2) to Planned Residential Development (PRD) on 6.95 +/- acres.

This item was heard by the Planning and Zoning Board on July 5 with many of the same residents voicing their opposition at that time. The property is located northeast of the Newberry Oaks subdivision. Initially, the development, which is known as Eden Garden, was planned to include townhouses, duplexes and single-family homes. However, following several comments from residents that they would be okay with single-family detached homes but not with three-story townhouses or duplexes, property owners Joel and Sophie Lancaster agreed to eliminate the townhouses and duplexes from their plan.

Following the owners’ compromise, audience members seemed satisfied and the Planning and Zoning Board voted to recommend approval to the City Commission.

JBPro’s Director of Engineering Chris Potts presented the project on behalf of the owners at Monday night’s City Commission meeting. Current zoning on that site allows four units per acre. Due to existing overhead transmission lines owned by Duke Energy that run parallel to the abutting limits of the Newberry Oaks subdivision, an area of approximately 3.5 acres, utilizing the existing RSF-2 zoning requires lot sizes of 10,000 square feet each severely hinders the economic viability of developing the site.

The requested change to PRD zoning district allows the owners to take of advantage of unique lot configurations in order to make the site developable that would otherwise not be possible due to the Duke Energy easement and the current RSF-2 zoning district.

The owners propose a minimum lot size of 5,000 square feet and minimum lot width of 50 feet. The residential sites account for approximately 2.2 acres of the total site. The remaining developable area of the site amounts to approximately 1.1 acres, which will be utilized for circulation and other infrastructure improvements. The 150-foot-wide electrical easement is planned as open space.

When the Planning and Zoning board forwarded their recommendation for approval to the City Commission it was with the condition that the “application be limited to detached single-family home building types only” based on the compromise. Potts explained that this condition will reduce the number of possible dwelling units; however, the owners have not finalized this number yet. He said that a more finite number will be able to be identified at time of platting.

Lack of a definite number of intended dwelling units, confusion about the property’s actual size relative to the City’s Land Development Regulation requirements (based on the County’s taxable versus actual number of acres) and concerns about stub-outs for future ingress/egress opportunities that are not easily observed on the plans led to a motion and second to deny the application.

Once Commissioners realized that a denial would mean that the applicants would not be able to reapply for 12 months, Commissioners voted instead to table in a 4-1 vote. Commissioner Monty Farnsworth cast the dissenting vote. The resulting vote to table will allow the owners additional time to determine the number of housing units they would need to develop to make the project cost effective.

Small-Scale Rural Subdivisions

In other business, commissioners unanimously approved a text amendment to add Small-Scale Rural Subdivisions as a use allowed by special exception in the (A) Agricultural Zoning District. This amendment is in response to multiple requests received by the City for estate-style residential development incorporating open space and/or low-intensity agricultural uses at a density greater than one dwelling unit per five acres.

Currently, there have not been development regulations guiding this type of development outside of those developments qualifying as Planned Rural Residential Development (greater than 25 lots). This text amendment addresses that gap in regulatory guidance for development. The special exception process provides a legal mechanism for the City’s Board of Adjustment to allow uses, in this case, a dwelling unit density greater than typically permitted in the Agricultural zoning district.

Town Square Phase 5 Final Plat

Commissioners also approved a request by Norfleet Green Construction, II, LLC, for Country Way at Newberry Town Square Phase 5 Final Plat conditioned on the delivery of the executed surety device. “The plat has been thoroughly reviewed by the City’s surveyor for compliance with state law and the City’s Land Development Regulations,” said Planning and Economic Development Director Bryan Thomas. “All issues or concerns relating to the Phase 5 final plat have been satisfactorily addressed by the applicant.”

Construction plans for Phase 5 infrastructure were approved by the Commission on March 22, 2021 and have been constructed. To obtain final plat approval prior to completion and/or acceptance by the City of the required infrastructure, a surety device for the Phase 5 infrastructure has been provided by the owner. The device provides guaranteed funds for the completion of the infrastructure in the event of default by the developer. The surety has been reviewed and approved by the city attorney.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Changes are in store for people driving and parking in downtown High Springs.  The High Springs City Commission earlier this summer approved an ordinance that restricts the use of vehicles of more than three axels from traveling on Northwest 186^th Avenue (formerly known as U.S. Highway 27 Alternate). And concerns over large vehicles parking in the downtown area prompted changes to parking in that area in an effort to relieve traffic congestion, especially along Main Street.

“The City has been working on various plans to deal with the traffic and congestion in our downtown roads,” said High Springs Public Information Officer Kevin Mangan. “We are initiating a plan to limit parking to compact car parking only on High Springs Main Street between US Highway 27 and Northwest 185^th Avenue.”

Main Street was designed over 100 years ago as a quiet two-lane road with parking places designed for smaller cars than many of the current SUVs and pickup trucks. Today, High Springs’ burgeoning downtown business district, along with steady truck traffic along Main Street, creates congestion and potentially unsafe conditions.  The street was not designed for the current traffic load and cannot be expanded without removing all parking and extensive street work, not a viable option according to the City of High Springs.

The best solution at least cost is to limit what vehicle lengths can park on Main Street to help limit obstructions and the flow of traffic. City officials say the new restrictions will help alleviate traffic congestion and hazards, reduce bumper overhang on roadways, ensure the maneuverability of emergency vehicles, and provide a proactive approach to help reduce accidents. 

The City is defining a “compact” car or vehicle between 100 and 109 cubic feet of interior space and between 161 and 187 inches in length and does not include trucks, vans, or large SUVs.

A compact car parking space will be a minimum of eight feet in width and 16 feet in length. Parking spaces are now visibly marked as “Compact Car” parking spaces with signage on both sides of the street.

“We are going to start with the signs and an information campaign to make people aware of the change,” said Mangan. “This will help with traffic flow and is just the first step in the City’s plan to work with the Department of Transportation to deal with the increasing traffic.” 

The High Springs Police Department will be helping with an information campaign by putting flyers on vehicles that are too big for the spaces for a couple months to warn drivers of the new rules.

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ALACHUA ‒ The Alachua Business League (ABL) held their quarterly member meeting on Monday, July 25 at the Lion’s Club building in Alachua. The ABL was honored to have John Spence, a world-renowned business speaker who calls Alachua home, give an interesting presentation on his “Formula for Business Excellence.” Members also enjoyed a “summer picnic” at the themed meeting.

Members were updated on other activities of the Alachua Business League, including plans to increase involvement in city-wide activities like Scarecrow Row and the Holiday Parade, as well as plans for ABL’s 35th Alachua Main Street Harvest festival to be held on Sunday, Nov. 13. Vendors can now register for the festival by going to www.alachuabusiness.com. A great turnout of vendors is expected for this event.

Information was also presented on the ABL’s scholarships, which are given to Santa Fe High School graduates who are going to attend Santa Fe College. In the 2021-2022 school year, scholarships were awarded to five students. Students can get more information on the scholarship application for the 2022-2023 school year from their school counselor.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs Historical Society aims to preserve a bit of High Springs for 70 years. The organization was granted permission by the City Commission to bury a time capsule to the right of the front steps of the Historic High Springs Elementary School and Community Center located at 23760 N.W. 187^th Avenue. The time capsule is slated to be buried on Oct. 22, 2022 and opened on Saturday, May 24, 2092.

The Historical Society anticipates the 2092 opening date to be used to commemorate the 200th anniversary of High Springs. High Springs was incorporated in 1892 after changing its name from Orion on May 24, 1888.

The High Springs Historical Society proposes a day-long celebration of burying the time capsule on Oct. 22, 2022 if their special event permit is approved. The event will include a bar-b-que contest and tractor show. The time capsule will be filled with artifacts relating to High Springs.

The City will have an opportunity to place a small box of items in the time capsule, while others in the community will also be able to place items in the capsule by purchasing a manila envelope or small bag. The time capsule will serve as a fundraiser for the Historical Society while also serving as the beginning of High Springs’ bi-centennial celebration.

City officials will be invited to participate in the time capsule burying ceremony.

The time capsule will measure 3 feet x 2 feet x18 inches and will be sealed. In order to ensure the safety of the time capsule and surrounding area, items such as liquids, explosives and perishable will be prohibited.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Local environmentalist Rhonda Long was killed in an accident in South Florida on June 19. Long was well known in the High Springs community and among environmental groups associated with the rivers that offer beauty, recreation and water from the aquafer. For Long, the rivers were her playground where she spent much of her time kayaking. And this love of the local environment and rivers led her to dedicate herself to preserving them.

She was the Stewardship Chair for the Our Santa Fe River (OSFR) organization, Director for the Riverfest Songwriters benefit and Founder of the Eelgrass Restoration Project. Long also taught classes at Fort White High School in Aquatic Horticulture. She was the co-founder of a suicide prevention organization that raised funds for preventing suicides and helping surviving family members cope with the loss.

The primary method of fund raising was a 96-mile river paddle each year, which she completed for the past four years. Long also worked at Rum 138 canoe outpost, giving tourists advice about the best parts of the rivers to visit. In addition, she also often portrayed a mermaid at various fundraising events for the rivers, earning her the nickname of “Mermaid Rhonda.”

Long’s passion for the environment was just part of how she gave back to others. She worked on various benefits, helped those who needed assistance medically or for transportation, including her parents, Donna and Joe Long, who she moved from Illinois due to multiple medical issues.

Friends recall that Long always projected a happy and warm personality, lighting up the room and had nothing but kind words for everyone. She was well known for all her charity work and popular figure in town with her ability to make those she was talking with the undivided focus of her attention.

Long had travelled to Coco Beach on June 19 to attend the wake of her friend, Randy Fortner, who had died suddenly from a brain aneurysm. Driving home to High Springs at 10 p.m. on a two-lane Highlands County road, the car in front of her stopped on the highway and attempted a U-turn, blocking both lanes. With no time to react, Long hit the car broadside. Killed in the accident was a 13-year-old girl in the other car and Long, who passed while being life flighted to a hospital.

Long’s friends were both shocked and devasted that someone so full of life, passion and kindness was suddenly gone. It was especially devasting for her elderly parents who were dependent on Long for everything, including her house, which still had a mortgage on it.

People wanted to honor her life and her dedication to both the environment and her friends and family. A Go Fund Me page was set up to raise funds for her family and her final expenses. It was also decided to hold a Celebration of Life with some of the many musicians she knew and enjoyed hearing.

The group of friends approached Baram Kim, owner of the Great Outdoors and Pink Flamingo restaurants in High Springs to inquire about using one of the venues for a concert. Kim, who was also a friend of Long, immediately offered the Pink Flamingo to hold the event.

On Saturday, July 30 there will be that memorial Celebration of Life fundraiser at the Pink Flamingo to raise funds for Long’s elderly parents who have multiple medical issues. Music will be provided by Thom Duncan, Mike Bouleware and In The Moment band, along with possible special appearances by other musicians who knew her. All are playing for free so all proceeds will go to her family. There will also be a 50-50 drawing, a silent auction featuring donated art and other objects from local artists and businesses, along with a raffle of smaller objects.

The event is open to everyone who would like to attend. All proceeds will go to Long’s family to either use for their expenses or give to her environmental organizations, if they choose. But just as important, the Celebration of Life will honor a woman who dedicated herself to others with a life well lived but cut short too soon.

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NEWBERRY ‒ On July 11, the City of Newberry approved annexation of nearly 88 acres into the City. Approved was a petition by owners Joshua P. and Tracie A. Blackford for 22.75 acres located on the west side of Northwest County Road 235 at the terminus of Northwest 46^th Avenue, west of the Gatorback Cycle Park. Also approved was a petition by Richard Marion Fowler III to annex 20.68 acres located on the southwest corner of West Newberry Road/State Road 26 and Southwest 226^th Street. Todd and Lori Martin petitioned for annexation of two parcels totaling 40 acres located on the east side of Northwest 298^th Street (county line), approximately 1,200 feet north of Northwest 32^nd Avenue. And Clifton A. and Shari D. Brown petitioned for 4.35 acres located on the east side of Northwest 32^nd Avenue, approximately 2,500 feet east of Northwest 298^th Street to be annexed into the City.

In other business, the Commission voted 4-1 on first reading to change the Future Land Use Map classification on 220 acres from Agriculture to Planned Development for Tanglewood Properties of Gainesville, LLC. The property is located on the south side of West Newberry Road/State Road 26, between Southwest 218^th Street and Southwest 202^nd Street. Commissioner Tony Mazon casting the dissenting vote.

After lengthy discussion, the Commission also approved rezoning the same property from Agricultural (A) to Planned Development (PD). Final approval is contingent upon the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity approving changing the Future Land Use Map Classification.

In other unanimous actions, the Commission approved a rezoning, a re-platt, a final plat and an amendment to the City’s Land Development Regulations. The Commission approved 5-0 on second and final reading to rezone 1.69 acres from Residential, Single Family to Planned Development in the Economic Development Overlay District and partially located within the City’s Historic District. The proposed development is an infill project that seeks to add 14 cottage- style single family townhomes to the site, while leaving the existing single-family house as-is. A central alley will bisect the block and automotive access to each lot will be provided from the alley. Commissioners also approved a variance from the requirement that 10 percent of the development be devoted to common open space, which is not practical due to the size limitations of the parcel. The site encompasses a full block bounded by Southwest 1^st Avenue to the north, Southwest 257^th Street to the east, Southwest 2^nd Avenue to the south and Southwest 258^th Street to the west.

Commissioners unanimously approved a request by Brown and Shapphard/Bison Construction LLC to re-plat Bartley Lane, Lot 10, which consists of 0.14 acre, to remedy a building setback line encroachment on the front yard building setback line. The encroachment was discovered by the title insurance company while researching the property in advance of the sale of the newly constructed single-family residence.

Commissioners also unanimously approved a request by Michael Steinberg for approval of the Dylan’s Grove Phase 2A Final Plat consisting of 39.9 acres located south of Southwest 15^th Avenue and west of Southwest 188^th Street. Phase 2A is part of the Dylan’s Grove Planned Rural Residential Development. This approval is conditioned upon receipt of fully executed surety device approved by the City Attorney.

The Commission unanimously approved amending the City’s Land Development Regulations to allow Small-Scale Rural Subdivisions as a Special Exception within the Agricultural Zoning District.

In other action, Commissioners approved an application to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) following a second public hearing. The application is for the Neighborhood Revitalization (NR) category. In a related matter, Commissioners authorized submittal of a Florida Jobs Growth Grant Fund application for public infrastructure funding in the Newberry Ag-tech Innovation Park.

Parks and Recreation Director Travis Parker reviewed the 2022 Babe Ruth softball season, highlighting the Newberry 10 and under team that won the Babe Ruth State Tournament for their age division on June 27.

Mayor Jordan Marlowe read a resolution into the record celebrating Park and Recreation Month in Newberry identified as “We Rise Up for Parks and Recreation!” month.

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