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Clewiston advances annexations and a new 'employment hub' land‑use to accommodate U.S. Sugar project
Summary
On July 15 the commission approved first readings for annexations of parcels owned by the Hendry County School Board, Kelly Tractor and U.S. Sugar and approved a first reading to amend the comprehensive plan to create an "employment hub" land‑use category to guide mixed industrial, retail and office development on roughly 477 acres north of US‑27.
Clewiston commissioners on July 15 approved first readings to annex several parcels into the city, including land owned by the Hendry County School Board, Kelly Tractor Company and United States Sugar Corporation, and advanced a comprehensive plan amendment to create a new "employment hub" land‑use category for about 477 acres north of U.S. 27.
The motions cleared initial public hearings and set public hearings for Aug. 19, 2024 on the comprehensive plan amendment and related applications. Commissioner votes carried on each first reading after staff and applicants described the scope: the school board and Kelly Tractor parcels will retain underlying county zoning pending future applications, while the U.S. Sugar parcel includes a request for a land‑use change and a master plan that anticipates mixed industrial, commercial and office uses.
Neil Montgomery, a planning consultant, told commissioners the employment hub category is intended to mirror mixed‑use industrial parks that include manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, retail and office space, and would allow phased development and internal support uses such as restaurants and hotels. Mike Rosen, representing the applicants, said US Sugar has prepared a master plan and seeks city services (water, sewer, electric) as the properties develop; staff confirmed capacity and indicated impact fees and development review would apply.
Mayor and commissioners framed the votes as a major step for Clewiston: staff noted this is the first expansion of city boundaries since the 1920s (commissioners cited "first expansion in nearly 100 years") and said annexation would expand the tax base while requiring developers to shoulder infrastructure impact costs. The comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning to a PUD (Ordinance 2024‑12) were approved on first reading; final decisions and ordinance text will return to the commission at public hearings and later readings.
Next steps: hearings were set and staff will transmit required materials to the state land‑planning agency and prepare the subsequent ordinance language and rezoning details for future readings.
