Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Gustafson Property Rezone topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves Gustafson property plan and rezoning to allow up to 13 clustered homes; one commissioner dissents
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a comprehensive-plan amendment and rezoning for a nearly 14-acre parcel west of Green Cove Springs that would allow up to 13 detached single-family lots (clustered development with open-space requirements). The Springs CAC supported the application 6–0; the commission approved both items with a single dissent.
The Planning Commission on June 3 approved a comprehensive-plan amendment and companion rezoning for a nearly 14-acre parcel (filed as COMP PLAN 25-0010 and ZON 250007) west of Green Cove Springs. Staff said the change would align future land use and zoning with the surrounding pattern and allow up to a 13-lot detached single-family subdivision using clustering and points in the county code.
Applicant presentation: Danielle (real-estate agent for property owner Sherilyn Gustafson) said the parcel had been offered to several builders while listed and that the owner intends a low-density, single-family outcome rather than townhomes. As presented, clustering under the county rules could allow up to 13 lots (maximum one unit per acre under clustering rules), subject to development-review conditions including 35% open space and a 50-foot perimeter buffer that can count toward that open space.
Staff analysis: Planning staff said the parcel lies within the county's urban service boundary and near schools and emergency facilities, and that it met the statutory criteria used to screen for sprawl (staff found the required number of criteria to conclude the amendment was not sprawl). The Springs Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) recommended approval, 6–0.
Public comment: Nearby residents raised traffic and infrastructure concerns. Melissa Fleming (neighbor) asked that if a land-use choice exists between an Agriculture Residential (AR) designation and Rural Residential (RR), AR is preferable because it imposes a one-acre minimum. John Fleming, a nearby resident and disabled veteran, opposed additional traffic and said local roads already experience congestion. Other nearby residents asked for more time to study impacts and preserve neighborhood character.
Commission action: A commissioner moved to recommend the comprehensive-plan amendment; the motion carried with one dissent. A subsequent motion to recommend the rezoning likewise passed with one dissenting vote. Staff and commissioners clarified that clustered rural-residential subdivisions that use density "points" must provide 35% open space and perimeter buffering; such subdivision approvals would still require development-review steps including internal roads, drainage and buffers.
Why it matters: Approval changes the parcel's future land use and zoning to match surrounding development and allows a clustered approach that could yield smaller lots while preserving open space. The commission and staff emphasized that final lot layouts, infrastructure and stormwater measures would be addressed during site plan and development-review processes.
Provenance excerpts
"This is in the Springs Planning District... The request is to change the land use and the zoning to match the surrounding, land use and zoning." — staff presentation (location and intent)
"I will move the staff report on the comp plan." — motion to approve; vote recorded with one dissenting vote
Ending: The approvals are recommendations from the Planning Commission to the Board of County Commissioners; site-level design, road and stormwater details will be resolved through the county's development-review process.
