Putnam commissioners approve rezoning for 356.8-acre Hawthorne site

The Putnam County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 24 approved an ordinance to rezone roughly 356.8 acres at 960 CR2A in Hawthorne from a plan-unit development designation to the Agriculture Estate (AE) zoning district.

For the record, Michael Graves of Planning and Development Services told the board that the subject parcel, proposed by applicants CR2A Real Estate Holdings LLC, has a future land use of rural residential, contains areas that map as jurisdictional wetlands, and lies within FEMA flood zones X and A. Graves said intensive agriculture would not be permitted under the AE designation and that staff finds the rezoning consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan and the land development code. He noted the Planning Commission had unanimously recommended approval.

A commissioner moved to adopt the ordinance (listed in the public record as Ordinance 2026-00007, amending Ordinance 2024-12); the motion was seconded and the board approved it by voice vote. The motion directs that, if approved, the applicant would become eligible for development rights associated with the Agriculture Estate zoning district as provided in section 4573 of the county’s land development code.

The staff presentation included aerial maps, the parcel’s access from CR2A, and overlays showing wetlands and FEMA hazard areas. The board did not adopt additional conditions on the rezoning during the hearing; the record notes that further permitting review and site-specific conditions would apply if future development proposals are filed.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing; the planner told the board the item had been before them previously and this was the second meeting for the case. The ordinance summary and staff report are incorporated into the official record.

Next steps: the county will incorporate the map amendment into the official zoning map and will process any future development permits under the AE district standards.