Alachua County DRC approves 4‑unit Grassy Springs farmstay with conditions

The Alachua County Development Review Committee on Jan. 16 approved with conditions a minor development plan allowing a four‑unit farmstay at 10504 Northwest 245th Terrace on just over 11 acres.

The decision permits four overnight lodging units (a camping cabin, a Coleman camper and two RV spaces) under the county—s farmstay code, contingent on after‑the‑fact building permits for the camping cabin, required electrical permits, and payment of mobility fees of $8.64 per lodging unit.

Planner Jacob Stout of Alachua County Growth Management introduced the item, saying, "my name is Jacob Stout, planner with Growth Management," and described the parcel as being in the agricultural zoning district and meeting the new farmstay code requirements adopted in October 2022. Stout said the property is just over 11 acres (the code minimum is five acres), the owner resides on the parcel as required by the code, and the proposed cabin is 320 square feet, under the 400‑square‑foot cap.

Stout noted code limits on farmstay uses: units may be tent spaces, RV spaces, or cabins; permanent residence and use as farmworker housing are prohibited; and required setbacks and access standards must be met. He said the application includes a private road maintenance agreement for Northwest 245th Terrace and a November 4, 2024 letter from the health department stating no objection to using the existing well and septic to serve the camping cabin and Coleman camper. Stout told the committee that the two guest RV spaces are intended to be self‑contained and that guests must manage wastewater in their RV tanks and dispose of it off‑site.

Applicant Kristen Shandewich, who was sworn in, offered no additional presentation but told the committee, "We're available for questions if needed, but otherwise, I think we're good." No members of the public spoke during the item; three nearby property owners had been granted party status earlier in the meeting but did not appear.

The committee approved the plan with three express conditions stated by staff: (1) the applicant must obtain after‑the‑fact building permits for the permanent camping cabin from the Alachua County Building Department before operating the farmstay; (2) obtain appropriate electrical permits for proposed uses or after‑the‑fact electrical work; and (3) pay mobility fees at $8.64 per lodging unit to the mobility fee administrator prior to operation (with timing of payment tied to permit issuance as described in staff materials). Stout told the committee the listed mobility fee amount is valid until March 1, 2025.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Approve all 3 requests for party status (Cindy Hicks; Jim and Linda Hales; Lorraine Brown). Outcome: approved. Recorded vocal responses indicated the motion carried. - Motion: Approve with conditions the minor development plan for Grassy Springs Farmstay (10504 NW 245th Terrace). Outcome: approved with conditions (see conditions above). - Motion: Approve minutes of the Nov. 21, 2024 DRC meeting. Outcome: approved.

The committee recorded no requests for additional public comment during the farmstay presentation; staff recommended approval, and the committee voted in favor. The approval is subject to the building, electrical and fee conditions described, and the item remains subject to applicable appeals procedures under Florida law: appeals of development orders must be by petition for writ of certiorari filed in the circuit court for Alachua County within 30 days of the final development decision except as otherwise provided in Florida statute.

Less critical details include that the code requires owner occupancy and limits farmstay units to a mix of tent/RV/cabin configurations (the applicant—s plan uses one camping cabin, one Coleman camper and two RV spaces), and that the code permits the county to require a road maintenance agreement for private roads (the application includes such an agreement tied to the farmstay).