NEWBERRY – Newberry city commissioners approved two industrial development plans, advanced a land-use amendment tied to the expansion of the Easton Newberry Sports Complex, authorized a downtown property swap and formalized appointments to the city’s Planning and Zoning Board during the June 22, 2026, commission meeting.
Industrial Development Plans
Among the actions taken was approval of site and development plans for two proposed concrete batch plant facilities.
The first project, known as the Norfleet Batch Plant, encompasses approximately 54 acres. Commissioners approved the plan with several conditions. One requirement calls for improvements to the property’s internal access roads once municipal potable water and wastewater lines are extended to and within the site. At that time, the access road must be upgraded with a 1.25-inch asphalt concrete surface course, eight inches of compacted limerock and a 12-inch stabilized subgrade.
Commissioners also noted that the facility may fall under Alachua County’s Hazardous Materials Management Code and required the use of DarkSky-compliant lighting designed to reduce light pollution and limit light spillover onto neighboring properties.
A second site and development plan was approved for a proposed Smyrna Ready-Mix concrete batch plant on approximately 9.61 acres.
As with the Norfleet project, commissioners attached conditions requiring compliance with DarkSky lighting standards and acknowledging the possibility of regulation under the county’s hazardous materials code. The approval also requires landscaping to be established and maintained at the northwest corner of the property.
Parking Land Swap
The commission also approved a land transaction intended to support future downtown parking needs.
Approximately one year ago, the Community Redevelopment Agency authorized the purchase of a parcel on Seaboard Drive known as the Estes property. City officials described the tract as an L-shaped parcel that could be used for parking serving downtown businesses.
Commissioners approved a property swap involving the Estes parcel and property formerly known as the Glanzer Prestwick parcel, also referred to during the meeting as the Post property. According to city officials, the Estes property is valued at $110,000 and the Post property at $125,000.
Easton Expansion
Another significant item on the agenda involved the future expansion of the Easton Newberry Sports Complex.
Commissioners approved on first reading a large-scale Future Land Use Amendment that would change the designation of four parcels from Mixed Use and Recreation to Public Facilities and Land. The city-initiated ordinance is intended to accommodate planned expansion of the sports complex.
Planning & Zoning
The commission also adopted a resolution formalizing appointments to the Planning and Zoning Board, which also serves as Newberry’s Historic Architectural Review Board.
Appointed to the board were Jason McGehee, Resident Seat 1; Bonnie Houser, Resident Seat 2; Shawn Walker, Resident Seat 3; and Daniel Thomas, Resident Seat 4.
Mellina Parke will continue serving in Resident Seat 5. Her current term expires April 30, 2027.
The actions continue a period of growth and development activity in Newberry. In recent months, commissioners have considered multiple land-use changes, annexations and development proposals as the city continues to expand residential, commercial and recreational infrastructure.
The next meeting of the Newberry City Commission is scheduled for July 13, 2026, at 7 p.m.
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