Commission approves 10‑lot ‘Mini Farms’ subdivision after residents raise water, road and density concerns

The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners voted 4–0 on Sept. 23 to approve the Ring Road Hussy Road Mini Farms minor subdivision, permitting a developer to divide about 36 acres into 10 residential lots ranging roughly from 2.5 to 4.85 acres.

County staff and the planning board had recommended approval after a Sept. 8 review. The proposal drew an extended public hearing during Tuesday's meeting from residents who said the parcel sits across the road from existing homes and expressed concerns about water availability, septic feasibility, county road drainage and who would occupy the new lots.

A community development staff member told the commission that the property is designated Agriculture 2 under the county comprehensive plan and "agriculture 2 allows residential development at a density of 1 dwelling unit per acre," meaning the division met the land‑use rules. The staff member also said well and septic placement are regulated by Florida law and noted a statutory minimum lot size of one‑half acre for individual well/septic systems.

Residents said they were worried that the heavily clay soils in parts of the parcel could make successful well drilling unpredictable and that cutting timber for development could increase runoff into adjoining driveways and county roads. One resident raised school‑routing concerns and the possibility of multiple households occupying a single lot; county staff and the developer said covenants placed on the subdivision after the planning commission hearing limit occupancy and building types.

Martha Scugan, an attorney for the developer, said the applicant proposes "mini farms" and that the developer intends the project to remain 10 lots with covenants that prohibit further subdivision, allow only one house per lot and ban used mobile homes. Scugan also said the land had been planted timber for many years and that the developer chose larger lot sizes.

County staff reported a prior code‑enforcement action: the developer presold at least one lot before final subdivision approval, and a magistrate fined the developer; staff said the purchaser in that instance was refunded and asked to vacate the property.

Commissioners closed the public hearing and approved the subdivision. The board's approval directs recordation of the final plat and allows the developer to proceed with lot sales subject to the recorded covenants and all applicable state permitting for wells, septic systems and road access.

The commission and staff repeatedly advised prospective buyers to perform their own due diligence on well yields, septic feasibility and road access before purchase.