[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6312853,"mediaKeyId","2390131-f86c92ebbbbdb643e803c2c13233b75d","parentId",2390131,"title","Staff presents downtown parking study; commissioners and businesses discuss trade-offs and possible lots","audioSeconds",1499,"startMs",1873000,"endMs",3372000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390131-f86c92ebbbbdb643e803c2c13233b75d&start=1873&end=3372","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390131-f86c92ebbbbdb643e803c2c13233b75d/thumbnail_1873000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6312853/Florida/Staff-presents-downtown-parking-study-commissioners-and-businesses-discuss-trade-offs-and-possible-lots","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312853-a4a02997afe2349f930fb7cec651b3fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1776172349&Signature=l1C9zuU5C39WuOgNjAHpD9nJNyqGyDI49eFmjU17XOT4JnoVAI8P77pOyke2AII0Gkxxe9wJ96aJ9YNm3~aMt3~HcJNK9bx9EJnoQXGbdohOy4ImrdK1~X9wuZBYN4Xg-4eLHVhvn4tCOP1wr~Wt5VOXiZ0rhogemYuk90zO7X1nuZL0XNmVT7tHPeNtH-~1927fwqYvbWT~zX0XziJsAsSbXFJxPU43d6ENQzKwFfrYcjBIKogbhO582jAOzak-F4gFiYe0jG9~RHf7NrMeoVG0ChgXGDI98-S2jgY1iD7S-Wrg9bQpWqPm8zepxuoFGrFUwokgoSacQt0BcZMM6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Newberry, FL","date","2025-02-25T13:37:49Z","article","City planning staff presented a downtown parking study to the City Commission of the City of Newberry on Feb. 24 and asked the commission for feedback on priorities and potential next steps.

Chelsea Bekaitis, a planner, said staff prepared the study after the commission directed work on downtown revitalization and parking. “The goal is to create convenient, safe parking to support retail, restaurant, cultural and office facilities within the redevelopment area by enhancing existing parking and expanding parking opportunities when possible,” Bekaitis told the commission.

Bekaitis said the study used FDOT data for on-street parking and a staff inventory for off-street spaces. FDOT’s one-way pair study identified 109 existing on-street spaces; staff counted 92 existing off-street spaces in the downtown study area and later clarified that an earlier slide’s “232” figure refers to a total if all candidate lots were converted to parking (not additional spaces on top of other totals).

Using the map staff presented, commissioners discussed short- and long-term options: leasing or purchasing private lots, partnering with churches and clubs to formalize shared use, converting the annex lot (as part of the DOT one-way-pair construction), and creating angled parking on 250 Fourth Street. Staff noted limited opportunities in some privately owned lots and said conversations have begun with property owners and railroads about potential sites east of the tracks.

Commissioner Coleman and downtown business representatives urged staff to explore a lease with railroad or private owners for large informal parking areas near the tracks. Jamie (staff) and others said the city currently has a lease on the west side of the tracks but had not finalized arrangements on the east side. City manager and staff said DOT’s one-way-pair project will remove some on-street spaces but add new on-street parking on “ladder” streets; staff recommended planning communal parking in advance of zoning changes to a Central Business District (CBD) designation.

Commissioners also raised festival-day capacity and liability concerns for privately owned lots used during events. Lisa Tate, who owns a downtown property, said the family has at times roped off the lot because of land-title and liability issues; Tate said she would consider leasing arrangements that address liability.

Bekaitis closed the presentation asking the commission for feedback; commissioners provided a range of ideas and directed staff to continue negotiations with property owners and to consider angled parking and site acquisition/leasing. No formal action was taken; staff will return with further analysis and any recommended acquisitions, leases or design proposals.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commission Meeting - February 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented a downtown parking study and maps that identify existing on- and off-street spaces and candidate public lots; commissioners and downtown stakeholders discussed leasing, purchasing and design options.","taxTitle","City of Newberry , Alachua County, Florida","taxId",71804,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":44,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6312858,"City Commission approves ordinance establishing Highland Park Community Development District, 4-1",665,1208000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390131-f86c92ebbbbdb643e803c2c13233b75d&start=1208&end=1873","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390131-f86c92ebbbbdb643e803c2c13233b75d/thumbnail_1208000.jpg","/articles/6312858/Florida/City-Commission-approves-ordinance-establishing-Highland-Park-Community-Development-District-4-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312858-e46488b3870a993ac43224259d2b3b83/orig.mp4?Expires=1776172349&Signature=BFM5Y0NSkvRATdcoaCeXaNP9rJUdFu0CHb2ETLn5iS5DHTTyB-UEszOLvWqc84qD1JjpKgwLxelI3nc~c-XLGt7oAwsbMo993YcEcciAN6DugTTp5gMzFRuFjHNUKAoeu2DnLLF6Re5rzfFCVqL8WNGCxeBa1wSHeHISczHPHZW5OwGX~lLkvPAC-DAnG6V67DTnAzrvxz9-ovefVzqNcEzskjcg9Rf2FEOwuadoajyLD9ryhNIeCM2O7C-SD~YpKIXrR~3FrxbUW5zeiXv9Jdp4MXlDLUIqxb1EpVjHaix1JqrKc-A3ThC9uDwm8qnNkBt7uXTLWfUJQ2gVR51PHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission of the City of Newberry on Feb. 24 adopted an ordinance establishing the Highland Park Community Development District (CDD), approving the measure on second reading by a 4-1 roll call vote.

The ordinance, presented by John Paul Perez of the community development department, establishes a CDD under Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes and sets the district’s external boundaries, powers and an initial five-member board of supervisors. Perez told commissioners the district covers about 104 acres and that the applicant is Newberry Plaza LLC.

Perez said the staff and applicant had received a consultant memorandum between first and second reading and that the city would correct minor legal language in the staff memorandum but that those corrections did not affect the petition’s substance. He told the commission the city is not responsible for ensuring board appointments, financial solvency, accountability or transparency for a CDD; those matters rest with the state and with the district. “If someone complains, they complain to Tallahassee, they don’t complain to Newberry,” Perez said.

The staff report flagged one substantive cost for commissioners: a $2,000,000 estimate for off-site improvements tied to the development, including decel lanes and a traffic signal. Perez said the applicant and city staff agreed those costs should be commensurate with benefits to district residents and that final resolution of budgets and assessments would occur during the state review and related proceedings.

Jennifer Kalinski, the applicant’s agent and an attorney in the audience, explained the expedited boundary amendment process added to the statute in 2024. She said the process lets a petitioner identify potential future parcels now and then use an expedited procedure later to add those parcels without refiling a whole petition; the city would still take first and second reading on any boundary amendment ordinance.

Commissioner Farnsworth asked whether the additional parcels shown on maps had been acquired; staff replied they had not been acquired yet and that any future addition of parcels would require another city ordinance and public hearings. Commissioner Martin reiterated his opposition to the use of CDDs, saying they “add to government” and noting the city will still receive many phone calls about district issues even if legal responsibility lies with the state.

Roll call on the motion to adopt Ordinance 2025-01/LDR 24-27 produced votes: Commissioner Coleman, aye; Commissioner Clark, aye; Commissioner Farnsworth, aye; Commissioner Martin, no; Commissioner Maison, yes. The ordinance passed 4-1, with Commissioner Martin recorded in dissent.

The commission’s action creates a CDD governed by Chapter 190 of the Florida Statutes and initiates the statutory steps required before the state finalizes district formation. Staff said future items tied to the district — including detailed budgets, any assessments, and boundary amendments — will come back to the commission as required by statute and by the petitioner’s filings with the state.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 2025-01/LDR 24-27 (Highland Park CDD) — adopted 4-1.

The commission moved next to other agenda items after the vote.","The City Commission of the City of Newberry on Feb. 24 adopted an ordinance establishing the Highland Park Community Development District (CDD) on second reading by a 4-1 vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":44,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6312850,"Votes at a glance: consent agenda approved; Highland Park CDD ordinance adopted 4-1",675,1198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2390131-f86c92ebbbbdb643e803c2c13233b75d&start=1198&end=1873","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2390131-f86c92ebbbbdb643e803c2c13233b75d/thumbnail_1198000.jpg","/articles/6312850/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-consent-agenda-approved-Highland-Park-CDD-ordinance-adopted-4-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6312850-74e85e37a4361dc54771f91ea039cae2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776172349&Signature=htbdvcVF-5gWvHMzFWADVmBQ26OglRVPrGA2bLD4kE5kAre2MLGxBx7PNXvN6BjGkjHQ1JTjyt21aE9sRp4RuDpquzi9wyAxF-Gws1dNeo~SPjEHfBll8SbglvuQNoIj7da3zSSQsnL0le5gbY4BJXm1fcdQzpq2LCUVwCDiJ1~ozdA3e6-h0tKYwbDLbPH0fSZ2IqFA3M6FaHu0ds4b21jA~uMWNkGCIr5riPZTRcYkqXPQ7dSDemYCW8xrktFdEG1E86dFs5CZAlww3Brvy3Ewxh54MYpQmNc7iuKRtm~Ij-iLdagd8b6yknuO64mXssfSxjsde36JA1W6GuU4dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission of the City of Newberry took the following recorded votes on Feb. 24:

Consent agenda — approved unanimously.

A motion to approve the consent agenda as published was made by Commissioner Maison, seconded by Commissioner Martin; the chair called the vote and the motion passed unanimously.

Ordinance 2025-01/LDR 24-27, Highland Park Community Development District — adopted 4-1.

On second reading the commission considered an ordinance establishing the Highland Park Community Development District under Chapter 190, Florida Statutes. Commissioner Clark moved adoption; Commissioner Maison seconded. Roll call votes were: Commissioner Coleman, aye; Commissioner Clark, aye; Commissioner Farnsworth, aye; Commissioner Martin, no; Commissioner Maison, yes. The ordinance passed 4-1.

No other formal roll-call votes on specific ordinances or resolutions were recorded in the meeting transcript.","At its Feb. 24 meeting the City Commission approved the consent agenda unanimously and adopted Ordinance 2025-01/LDR 24-27 creating the Highland Park Community Development District by a 4-1 vote (Commissioner Martin dissenting). No other formal roll-call actions were recorded in the transcript.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Staff presents downtown parking study; commissioners and businesses discuss trade-offs and possible lots

City Commission approves ordinance establishing Highland Park Community Development District, 4-1

Votes at a glance: consent agenda approved; Highland Park CDD ordinance adopted 4-1