Dade City commission denies rezoning ordinance for Merne-area property, orders expedited re‑application option

The Dade City Commission on second reading voted 3-2 to deny Ordinance 2024-07, a request to apply city zoning consistent with a Low Density Residential (LDR) future land-use designation on a roughly 142-acre annexed property north of the city. Commissioners then voted 5-0 to direct staff to expedite any new application the property owner files for a development order or different zoning.

The measure drew prolonged public comment from neighbors who said the property’s change from county agricultural zoning to an urban residential designation risks flooding, well failures and overloaded local services. “I moved back here … I moved specifically here to be in the country,” said Jim Folsom, who identified himself as a resident at 14716 Billy Lane near the site. Rita Barrett, a Dade City resident on Puckett Road, told commissioners: “Quit thinking about the money and let’s start thinking about Little Dade City.”

The applicant’s representative told the commission the tract was annexed in February 2006 and that about one-third of the site is floodplain or wetlands and therefore not developable. The representative said roughly 100 acres could be buildable and that, after required roads, buffers, stormwater ponds and open space, the property would likely yield “roughly 280 units,” or about 2.8 units per developable acre. That estimate and details about stormwater retention and permitting were presented as preliminary and subject to engineering review.

Staff and several commissioners outlined the zoning options available under the city’s comprehensive plan…