Alachua rezones two parcels near Turkey Creek

ALACHUA – Two parcels of land adjacent to the Turkey Creek development were given the nod for rezoning Monday night.   One of the parcels will require another hearing and approval before the rezoning can be finalized.

In a second and final public hearing Monday, commissioners okayed the rezoning of a 16.81-acre parcel located south of U.S. Highway 441 but north of the Turkey Creek Development. Formerly designated as Alachua County Rural Employment Center, that property now reflects City of Alachua Community Commercial on half of the land and Residential Moderate Density on the half of the land closest to the Turkey Creek neighborhood.  Residential Moderate Density zoning would allow a maximum of four dwelling units per acre.

The 16.81-acre parcel is surrounded by both residential and commercial land and it contains a tributary of Turkey Creek along the southernmost portion.

State review of the action resulted in a concern raised by the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, regarding a potential historic structure from the 1940s on the property. City Planner Brandon Stubbs said that the house was actually built in 1959 according to the county property appraiser's database.

A second rezoning of a 1.74-acre parcel of land near the intersection of Turkey Creek Boulevard and NW 105th Avenue, just south of the Turkey Creek neighborhood, was also given the initial okay.

The rezoning calls for the development of three underdeveloped lots, bringing a required minimum lot area of five acres down to 10,000 square feet. Maximum density on the land would be three dwellings units per acre.

A neighborhood meeting was held in June announcing intentions of the rezoning. Three individuals reportedly attended the meeting.