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Live Oak council approves change to allow higher-density housing on 22.81 acres
Summary
The City Council gave final approval to an amendment that reclassifies about 22.81 acres from residential low density to residential high density, drawing debate about neighborhood character and the need for a comprehensive plan.
The City Council of the City of Live Oak on final reading approved Ordinance 15-29 (CTA 24-06), changing the future land use designation for about 22.81 acres from residential low density to residential high density.
Council consideration came after a recommendation for approval from the Planning and Zoning Board and a staff recommendation. George Curtis, development manager for the City of Live Oak, told the council the request had met the statutory and local criteria and that it had cleared the planning board and the first reading.
The change will alter the future land-use classification on the specified parcel from a designation that permits roughly two units per acre to one that allows up to 20 units per acre. "Low density is, approximately half acre lots, so it would be 2 units per acre. And high density allows for up to 20 units per acre," said Sheryl Kirk, a City of Live Oak staff member, during the council discussion.
Several council members and residents debated the change’s fit with broader city planning. One councilmember raised concern about piecemeal approvals and urged a comprehensive plan for citywide growth rather than spot changes. Residents spoke about traffic and neighborhood character in the affected district; one resident said the area contained older, dilapidated homes in need of replacement, while others warned of crowding if many small-lot developments proceed.
Council discussion included a question about which parts of the city should accommodate housing growth and a call for clearer long-term planning. The council took a final roll-call vote and approved the ordinance on second and final reading. The motion passed with a recorded 3–2 vote.
Because the action is a change to the comprehensive plan map, the ordinance cites the amendment procedures in section 163.3161 through 163.3215 of the statutes and Article 3 of the City of Live Oak land development regulations. Staff noted no unresolved procedural issues and no outstanding public hearing objections the city had received.
Implementation steps following the ordinance include any required updates to zoning and development review for parcels affected by the future land use change; the council did not adopt additional conditions on the ordinance at the final reading.
