Announcements
Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton introduced Fire Rescue Chief Harold Theus, who provided the County Commission with an update on the ongoing wildfires in the county. Alachua County remains under a burn ban, which is evaluated and renewed every seven days and prohibits all outdoor open flame burning. Theus urged residents to be cautious, prepare and follow guidelines from local officials.
Sexton also introduced April Shuping as the county’s new finance director. The commission confirmed her appointment when approving the consent agenda.
He showed a video of the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Forest Edge and East Tumblin Creek housing communities, which will provide 67 housing units for the county’s most vulnerable homeless residents.
Watch the announcements.
UF golf course
The commission approved a large-scale Comprehensive Plan amendment request that changes the future land use designation on 580 acres east of Parker Road from Rural/Agriculture to a new land use category, “UF Golf Institutional.” The property, part of the Hickory Sink Special Area Study, is owned by the UF Foundation.
The land use amendment will allow for outdoor recreation, a clubhouse, temporary lodging, office and maintenance facilities. The site has environmentally sensitive zones that will be classified as conservation management areas.
The requested change will be sent to the Florida Commerce for review before returning to the commission for adoption at a later date.
Watch the discussion.
Chesnut Townhomes
The commission approved a preliminary development plan for the Chesnut Townhomes subdivision. Up to 72 single-family attached homes can be built on the 10-acre property along Southwest 79th Way, off Archer Road. The homes will be next to the Chesnut Village subdivision.
Watch the discussion.
Living Spaces and Thriving Places
The commission received an update on the county’s Living Spaces and Thriving Places framework, which will provide a structure for implementing more workforce and affordable housing programs with the voter-approved Wild Spaces and Public Places surtax.
Watch the discussion.
Facilities Master Plan quarterly update
The commission heard an update on the Facilities Mast Plan, including progress on construction of a new civil courthouse complex, ACFR headquarters, an Emergency Operations Center and updates to the county jail.
Watch the discussion.
Recognitions
Commissioner Charles Chestnut IV proclaimed May 3-9 as Corrections/Detention Employees Appreciation Week in Alachua County.
Read the proclamation.
Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Read the proclamation.
Commissioner Mary Alford proclaimed April as Landscape and Architecture Month.
Read the proclamation.
Commissioner Anna Prizzia proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Read the proclamation.
Watch the recognitions.
See the April 28 afternoon agenda and video.
See the evening agenda and portion of the meeting.
