The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 18 approved a Planned Unit Development (PUD) site development plan for Westlake 6A in Plantation Bay, a 57‑lot single‑family subdivision.

Staff presentation: Adam Mingle, growth management director, said Unit 6A is located within the larger Plantation Bay DRI and is designated for low‑intensity mixed use. The PUD plan presented calls for 57 detached single‑family lots with an overall density of about 1.5 dwelling units per acre; Mingle said the area’s PUD zoning could allow higher density (up to 145 units) but the developer chose a lower density for this phase. Mingle summarized site configuration, setbacks and landscape commitments incorporated into the PUD text.

Public concerns: Several Plantation Bay residents spoke during public comment and asked the board to table the item. Speakers raised three main concerns: whether Florida Governmental Utilities Authority (FGUA) can provide adequate water and wastewater service, narrow five‑foot side setbacks between homes, and loss of existing walking‑path views. One resident, Rob Tapp, said the area across Sterling Bridge Drive currently appears as “woods and pond” from the walking path and criticized approving new lots before earlier phases sell out. ICI Homes representative Richard Smith said the developer will reconstruct the walking path where affected and that FGUA has agreed to serve the phase.

Board action and conditions: Commissioners discussed drainage, lot grading and measures to avoid conflicts from equipment placement (air‑conditioning units). Commissioner Hansen and others asked the developer to stagger AC unit placement where feasible to avoid blocking side access; the applicant said many homes will be customized and agreed to consider measures to maintain access. After public comment and staff responses, Commissioner Hansen moved to approve the PUD site development plan; Commissioner Richardson seconded. The motion passed with no opposition.

Why it matters: The approval allows the developer to move forward with building permits and lot‑by‑lot construction; residents said they worry about water capacity, drainage between closely spaced houses and loss of passive amenities.

Provenance: The PUD site plan discussion and vote appear in the Aug. 18 meeting record (item 9a).