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Putnam County commissioners adopt land‑development amendment loosening a plan‑designation requirement for family subdivisions
Summary
At second reading the board unanimously approved LDC26‑0000001 (Ordinance 2026‑00009), removing a comprehensive‑plan 'designated agriculture' requirement for Type 3 family subdivisions while keeping agricultural zoning and other standards; staff said the change aligns the code with state law and preserves density and easement protections.
The Putnam County Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted a text amendment to the county's Land Development Code at its June 9 meeting, revising requirements for "Type 3" family subdivisions.
Ethan Thompson, presenting for Planning & Development, said the amendment would remove the requirement that parcels be designated in the comprehensive plan as "designated agriculture" while retaining the county's agricultural zoning requirement and existing density and minimum parcel size standards. Thompson said staff recommended approval, finding the change consistent with Florida statutes and the intent of the Putnam County comprehensive plan.
Zachary Baker, who addressed the board, said a commissioner had suggested a post‑hearing modification to subsection 8 that would be returned to staff for consideration; staff counsel summarized the process the board should follow if it wanted further amendments. Commissioners discussed the 66‑foot easement minimum and the administrative variance option that would allow narrower easements in certain cases.
After questions and a public hearing with no members of the public speaking on the ordinance, a commissioner moved to "accept the ordinance as amended," identifying the case as LDC26‑00001 and Putnham County Ordinance 2026‑00009; the motion was seconded and carried without recorded dissent.
The ordinance makes targeted edits to Chapter 45 (subdivision requirements) to permit Type 3 family subdivisions to proceed on parcels that meet agricultural zoning requirements even if the parcel is not shown in the comprehensive plan's agricultural future‑land‑use category. Staff emphasized that other safeguards in the code'minimum lot sizes, density limits and procedural checks'remain in place.
The board's action was procedural (formal adoption at a second reading) and will be reflected in the county's official ordinance book and land‑use code. Thompson said the planning commission had recommended changes at its April 8 meeting but the board elected at first reading to strike those planning commission amendments and proceed with the applicant and staff version. The adopted ordinance takes effect on the date stated in the ordinance paperwork unless a separate effective date is specified there.
