Commission backs land-use and rezoning change in Palatka to let elderly homeowner rebuild with Rebuild Florida help

The Putnam County Planning Commission recommended that the Board of County Commissioners approve a small-scale future land use map amendment (CPA-25-000004) and a concurrent rezoning (REZ-25-000008) to allow redevelopment of a damaged single-family residence at 205 North Highway 17 in Palatka.

Staff said the 0.22-acre parcel, owned by Retha Adams, currently carries a commercial future land use and C-2 zoning. The owner seeks a change to Urban Service future land use and a rezoning to R-2 to allow Rebuild Florida — a program that assists homeowners rebuilding after natural disasters — to replace a dwelling that was heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian. "There’s currently a residence there now...the applicant proposes to replace the existing residence with the assistance of Rebuild Florida," staff said.

Benjamin Segovia, the applicant’s agent, described the proposed site plan and said the rebuilt house would comply with R-2 standards and that the house as shown on the plan will sit at R-2 setbacks rather than the closer commercial setback.

Neighbor Gary McGriff spoke in favor, saying the owner is elderly and has lived on the property for decades; he urged the commission to permit the property owner to rebuild.

After discussion about buffers and nonconforming structures, the commission voted in favor of recommending both the comprehensive plan amendment and the rezoning to the Board of County Commissioners. The chair said both items will be forwarded to the BOCC for its public hearing in August.

Staff noted that, if the rezoning is denied, the property owner would otherwise be able to apply to rebuild under existing C-2 commercial allowances, but that as a nonconforming structure repairs exceeding 50% of appraised value could trigger standard compliance requirements.