City council advances rezoning for Hargrove Lane industrial site amid strong business and environmental concerns

Palm Coast city council on Aug. 5 approved on first reading a rezoning request that would change a 36.65‑acre site on Hargrove Lane from light industrial (IND‑1) to heavy industrial (IND‑2), a move that would allow higher‑intensity uses including a concrete batch plant. The vote was 3–2 at first reading, with Vice Mayor Pontieri and Council member Miller voting no.

The rezoning drew lengthy presentations from staff and the applicant and extended public comment. Michael Hansen, senior planner for the city, presented the staff review and said the site contains roughly 10.27 acres of wetlands, portions of FEMA 100‑year floodplain, and two nearby city potable wells (SW‑60 and SW‑105). He said the applicant has proposed a potable well on the site and that the project would need a consumptive‑use permit from the St. Johns River Water Management District.

The applicant, represented by civil engineer Kurt Wimpey of Alliant Engineering and Brian Hercules of SRM Concrete, described a development footprint concentrated away…