Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve Live Oak Cottages preliminary plan; staff and applicant to try to preserve several large oaks
Summary
The board approved a 75‑unit cottage‑neighborhood preliminary development plan (PDP) for a 9.38‑acre site off NW 140th Street; commissioners asked staff and the developer to attempt to preserve several large live oaks in final design and permitted limited flexibility on the multi‑use path to reduce tree impacts.
The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners approved the preliminary development plan for “Live Oak Cottages,” a proposed 75‑unit cottage neighborhood on about 9.38 acres off NW 140th Street. The vote approved staff’s recommendation to find the PDP consistent with the comprehensive plan and ULDC, and the board added direction that staff and the applicant attempt to preserve several identified live oaks during final design.
Growth Management planner Jacob Stout reviewed the proposal to allow clustered cottage units grouped around common greens, with a proposed single vehicular access aligned to an existing Somerset subdivision road. The draft PDP shows 23.5% open space overall and met the ULDC’s cottage‑neighborhood dimensions and unit‑size limits (maximum 1,400 ft²). A stabilized emergency access will be provided where the single access could be blocked.
Commissioners and staff discussed tree preservation and roadside drainage. The plan identifies three large live oaks as retained canopy that together meet the county’s 5% tree‑canopy retention threshold; commissioners asked the developer and staff to preserve additional larger oaks where feasible. Growth Management and Public Works staff said the developer will build a 10‑foot multi‑use path along NW 140th Street per code; commissioners asked staff to allow flexibility (e.g., a narrower path or routing) where a 10‑foot path would otherwise force removal of significant trees. Commissioner Cornell specifically asked the applicant to attempt to preserve an additional group of oaks (tree IDs 770, 774, 777/778 on the arborist table) when the final plan is prepared.
Planner Stout noted the PDP requires a 15‑foot low‑density buffer where the site adjoins the Belmont Cluster; that planted buffer, combined with open space, forms the proposed green edges between new cottages and existing single‑family subdivisions. The board approved the PDP, with staff instructed to work with the applicant on tree‑protection measures and to document any necessary modifications at final‑plan review.
Ending — Staff will take the PDP into final development review, coordinate tree‑protection measures with the applicant, and return required final plats and technical approvals for ministerial or board review as required by code.
