Newberry planning board recommends city land‑use and zoning changes for Annexation No. 40

The City of Newberry Planning & Zoning Board on Feb. 2 recommended that the City Commission amend the future land use map and apply city zoning for parcels annexed under Annexation No. 40.

City staff said the annexation comprises 11 parcels owned by seven property owners and that the requested future‑land‑use changes move those parcels from Alachua County rural agriculture to City of Newberry agriculture at the same densities. Staff identified ordinance references including 2025‑77, 2025‑78, 2025‑79, 2025‑83 and 2025‑76 and said the annexation was finalized on Jan. 12, 2026.

"They were recently annexed on 01/12/2026," staff said, noting the recommendation is a like‑for‑like change so the parcels remain at the same density as before. The board discussed procedural questions and whether the item should be considered as a small‑scale amendment; board members raised no objections.

For the rezoning portion (Item 2B) the board moved into a quasi‑judicial format, swore in any presenters and disclosed ex‑parte contacts. City staff advised that decisions must be based on the comprehensive plan and "competent substantial evidence" in the record. "You should base your decision on the requirements of the comprehensive plan and the code," the city attorney advised during the proceeding.

Motion and vote: the board voted unanimously to recommend approval of both the future land‑use map amendment (Item 2A) and the corresponding rezonings (Item 2B) to the City Commission. The motion on the rezoning was recorded as moved by Mr. Chen and seconded by Mr. Parker; the board recorded the outcome as unanimous.

What happens next: the Planning & Zoning Board’s recommendations will be forwarded to the City Commission for first reading and final action. Staff said that, if approved by the commission, first readings for the relevant ordinances will be scheduled according to the city’s publication and notification requirements.