Putnam County planning commission recommends approval of 18-acre rezoning at 205 St. John’s Drive

The Putnam County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a zoning map amendment for an 18.14-acre parcel at 205 St. John’s Drive in Palatka on April 8, 2025.

Planning staff presented REZ 25-00001, saying Michael Graves, Planning and Development Services, that the applicant, Kathleen Kelch, requested the map amendment to change split zoning (Agriculture Estate Planning & Development and Residential 1) to Agriculture Estate so the property could be developed consistently. Graves told the commission the site’s future land use is rural residential, that most of the parcel lies outside FEMA special flood hazard zones (with approximately 1 acre of AE floodplain), and that staff found the rezoning “consistent with the goals, objectives, and policies of the adopted comprehensive plan.”

The item drew limited discussion. A commissioner asked about the original planned unit development on part of the property; staff responded the PUD (Little Carter Acres) never was developed, the parcel had been split by deed and later recombined by Kelch, and the PUD term expired without development. No members of the public spoke for or against the request.

After brief discussion, Commissioner Justin moved to approve REZ 25-00001, finding it consistent with county goals and objectives. The chair called the roll and the motion passed; the Planning Commission’s recommendation for approval will go to the Board of County Commissioners at its April 22, 2025 meeting.

“We don’t see any wetlands on this property,” Michael Graves said in presentation of the staff report, noting the parcel would be eligible for building permits under the Agriculture Estate zoning district if the rezoning is approved.

The Planning Commission’s recommendation is advisory; the Board of County Commissioners will make the final decision.