The proposed Large-Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment (LSCPA) is a request by Clay Sweger, AICP of EDA Consultants, Inc., for the consideration of an amendment to the City of Alachua Future Land Use Map (FLUM). The proposed amendment would change the FLUM Designation on a ±162.5-acre subject property from Agriculture to Community Commercial (±7.00 acres), Low Density Residential (±115.5 acres), and Moderate Density Residential (±40.0 acres).
The applicant has submitted a companion application for a Site-Specific Amendment to the Official Zoning Atlas (a rezoning) which proposes to amend the zoning on the subject property from Agricultural (A) and Agricultural (Alachua County) to Planned Development- Residential (PD-R) (±155.5 acres) and Community Commercial (CC) (±7 acres).
The subject property is generally located south of the intersection of NW US Highway 441 and NW 188th Street. The property undeveloped and is primarily comprised of lands used as a tree farm and planted pine.
Existing FLUM Designation
Objective 1.1 of the Future Land Use Element (FLUE) establishes the Agriculture land use category. Policies 1.1.a through 1.1.d identify the uses allowed within the Agriculture land use category. The following uses are examples of uses permitted within the Agriculture land use category: single family detached dwellings; accessory dwellings; community services, such as schools, houses of worship, parks, and community centers; agri-business and agritourism; and conservation subdivisions.
Proposed FLUM Designations
Policy 1.3.a of the FLUE establishes the Community Commercial land use category, and states that this category is intended to provide neighborhood and community scale goods and services to adjacent neighborhoods and residential areas. The following uses are examples of uses permitted within the Community Commercial land use category: neighborhood commercial establishments; office/residences; business and professional offices; personal services; financial institutions; retail sales and services that serve the community; eating establishments; indoor recreation/entertainment; single-family and multi-family residential above first floor commercial; and supporting community services, such as schools, houses of worship, parks, and community centers.
Policy 1.2.a of the FLUE establishes the Low-Density Residential land use category, and states that this category allows residential development at a maximum density of 1 dwelling unit per acre. The following uses are examples of uses permitted within the Moderate Density Residential land use category: single family, conventional dwelling units; accessory dwelling units; residential planned developments; and supporting community services, such as schools, houses of worship, parks, and community centers.
Policy 1.2.b of the FLUE establishes the Moderate Density Residential land use category, and states that this category allows residential development at a maximum density of 4 dwelling units per acre. The following uses are examples of uses permitted within the Moderate Density Residential land use category: single family, conventional dwelling units; accessory dwelling units; residential planned developments; and supporting community services, such as schools, houses of worship, parks, and community centers.
Planning & Zoning Board Recommendation
At the March 8, 2022 Planning and Zoning Board Meeting, the Board voted 5-0 in favor of forwarding the application to the City Commission with a recommendation to approve.
Expedited State Review
In accordance with Chapter 163.3184(3), Florida Statutes, the City submitted the proposed Amendment to the DEO and the following agencies/jurisdictions: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the Florida Department of Transportation - District 2 Office (FDOT), the Florida Department of State, the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council, the Department of Economic Opportunity (Bureau of Economic Development), the Suwannee River Water Management District, the Department of Education, the City of Gainesville, the City of High Springs, Alachua County Department of Growth Management, and the School Board of Alachua County.
The City received correspondence from DEO, FDEP, NCFRPC and FDOT. There were no objections raised by these agencies regarding this application.