After public concerns, Levy County advances rezoning for Cornelius Williams Park to allow park revitalization

The Levy County Board of County Commissioners moved forward on a rezoning request for Cornelius Williams Park on Tuesday after hearing staff, the applicant and extensive public comment.

Staff planning consultant Erin summarized the straight‑rezoning request (CZ2601): the City of Williston seeks to change the zoning of roughly 24.53 acres from industrial to public/institutional facilities to permit park improvements, a sportsplex concept, and associated public uses. "They're requesting to rezone 24.53 plus or minus acres of property from the current zoning district of industrial to a public and institutional facilities," staff said during the analysis.

The applicant, Laura Jones (City of Williston planner), described the master plan: improved entrance and parking off Northeast 40th Street (state route 318), soccer and baseball fields, walking trails, stormwater treatment per permits, and utilities to be provided by the city. Jones said the city purchased the property in 2004 and holds grants supporting cultural and recreational improvements.

Neighbors and adversely affected parties urged caution and asked for binding site‑plan protections. Veronica Harmongund, who identified herself as an adjoining property owner, said she welcomed improvements for children but asked the board not to be "bamboozled" by promises without clear, enforceable plans. Other neighbors cited safety and evacuation concerns tied to limiting access to a single point and asked that the existing Highway 27 access remain open as an emergency egress. "I want to see what exactly is gonna be put in for the children... I want to see how it's gonna be designed," one resident said.

Staff and the applicant replied that the Highway 27 access will not be closed at this time and that detailed site‑plan review and development orders (the later review stage) can lock in access, buffers, and other public‑safety conditions. Legal counsel noted that the zoning change is a straight rezoning and that site‑plan and development‑order conditions can follow in the development‑review stage.

Board action: after discussion the board voted to advance the rezoning and to schedule the required second hearing at the next regular meeting (motion by Commissioner Desiree Mills; second by Commissioner Johnny Hires). Commissioners said they want site‑plan details and conditions to address neighbor concerns when the item returns for final action.

Next steps: if the board approves the zoning at the follow‑up hearing, the applicant will proceed to development‑review for site plans, which is where access, traffic, lighting and other operational conditions become binding in a development order.