Planning board backs small‑scale future‑land‑use, rezoning for 710 NW County Road 235 after access, noise concerns aired

The Planning & Zoning Board of the City of Newberry on Aug. 18 recommended adoption of a small‑scale future land‑use map amendment and a companion rezoning that would change a recently‑annexed 9.6‑acre parcel at 710 NW County Road 235 from Alachua County agriculture to a City of Newberry industrial designation, with first readings scheduled for Sept. 8.

Why it matters: the site sits adjacent to the 41 Commerce Park industrial subdivision and abuts a CSX railroad spur. The applicant says the property is intended to complete the Commerce Park development pattern; neighbors warned the board that truck routing, noise and other impacts could affect nearby subdivisions and that an apparent recorded discontinuance of a platted access road may make the site landlocked unless a legal access is confirmed.

City planner John Paul Perez said staff found adequate utilities and recommended the map amendment and rezoning to Industrial I, noting that potable water, wastewater and electrical service are in the vicinity and that concurrency/connections will be checked at development plan stage. Perez said the city defines…