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Commission approves 12th amendment to Southwood DRI after tolling clarified
Summary
After staff said a post‑hearing review found deficiencies in the planning‑commission record but the applicant invoked an executive‑order tolling provision, the county approved the 12th amendment to the Southwood DRI; commissioners debated remand, deadlines, and infrastructure obligations for the master developer.
The Leon County Commission approved the 12th amendment to the Southwood Development of Regional Impact (DRI) integrated development order after extended discussion about missed construction deadlines, a post‑hearing staff review, and a governor's emergency executive order that tolled certain timing requirements.
County staff explained that a post‑hearing review identified a gap in the planning commission’s record regarding transportation and infrastructure deadlines and originally recommended remanding the matter to the planning commission for additional findings. The applicant asked the county to apply tolling under a governor's executive order covering disaster‑impacted counties; staff and the county attorney said that action effectively extended deadlines for those obligations in statute and removed the immediate noncompliance concern.
Commissioner Cummings and others pressed staff on who discovered the deficiency and whether remand remained necessary. Staff said the review was performed by county staff (including county attorney staff) and that public input from residents had pointed out the omission. County staff also briefed the board on the original schedule for a north‑south roadway (added to the DRI in 2011 with a construction start obligation targeted for 2020) and explained how voluntary extensions and statutory tolling affected the timeline.
The applicant's representative, Barry Wilcox, was present to answer questions. Scott Brockmire of Diesome (planning staff/consultant) confirmed the original inclusion date for the road obligation and the history of amendments and extensions. After discussion and with staff recommendation for option two, commissioners moved, seconded and approved the item on a unanimous vote.
Commissioners said they want to hold parties accountable for infrastructure obligations while respecting the legal tolling options the applicant invoked under state emergency statutes; staff will continue to track compliance and report on construction schedules.
