DRC approves Cross Creek minor plans with conditions, adds bald-eagle protections for Parcel B

The Alachua County Development Review Committee approved two minor development plans for parcels within the Cross Creek Special Area Study at its Nov. 20 meeting, placing conditions on construction to protect wetlands, uplands and nesting raptors.

Jacob Stout, planner with Alachua County Growth Management, told the committee the Parcel A North plan proposes a 0.99-acre building impact area on an approximately 29-acre property and is designed to limit disturbance to regulated resources. "This is proposed as 0.99 acres," Stout said, and staff recommended approval with conditions that include preapplication screening for any building permits, a tree-removal permit tied to the building permit, and recording a notice of regulated conservation resources in the public record.

Stout said the parcel contains wetlands connected to Orange Lake, which is designated an Outstanding Florida Water, and that a 200-foot average buffer from the wetland line applies. For Parcel B South, the planner notified the committee that environmental review located a bald eagle nest within 660 feet of the proposed construction site. "A bald eagle's nest was located, and it would be within 660 feet of construction," Stout said, and he advised that the applicant must follow U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines and obtain any required federal permits. Staff recommended avoiding construction disturbances during bald eagle nesting season, Oct. 1–May 15.

An applicant representative, Joseph Falls, said the intent is to build a private residence under the one-acre impact cap while respecting forested areas. Falls asked whether the committee's approval is final and how long the approval remains effective; Stout answered that the development order issued after the hearing would expire on 2026-11-20 unless extended. Leslie McClendon, senior planner with Alachua County Growth Management, added that extension requests should be submitted 60 days before expiration and staff may grant up to a one-year extension; she said approvals typically "run with the land."

A committee member moved to approve Parcel A North with the stated conditions and another member seconded; the committee voted in favor and the motion passed. The committee followed the same process to approve Parcel B South, again adopting the staff-recommended conditions including the bald-eagle protections. No public comments were offered on either application.

The approvals are minor development plan decisions; zoning changes or ordinance amendments remain under the authority of the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners. The development orders will be signed and issued following the hearing; the committee noted the timeline and staff-administered extension process for applicants who need more time to pull permits.