Newberry Planning and Zoning Gives Nod to Concert

NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry Planning and Zoning Board heard two items at their Feb. 6 meeting and unanimously recommended both for approval to the City Commission for consideration.

The Board approved an application by Marcus Hayes and Carlos Gonzalez of Always Bet on Yourself Franchise, LLC, acting as agents for the Ross family. The application was to conduct an outdoor concert and festival on the Ross’ property located at 304 S.W. 174^th Street.

In the past, the Ross family has conducted their own concert and festival, but this year Hayes and Gonzalez will be providing professional event coordination said Hayes. The event is held to benefit the, “Kids in Positive Places,” charitable organization.

Hayes said the event will be a family-oriented festival with no alcohol allowed and will encompass several different parcels of approximately 6.33 acres owned by the Ross family and will operate from 1 – 10 p.m. on Sunday, April 9. He included a parking and traffic circulation sketch and said they will be contracting with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office for traffic control on Newberry Road. Hayes will have a staff of about 20 people, some of which will be directing on-site parking and some of which will provide private security during the event.

A list of 19 stipulations was reviewed by Thomas, which included lighting, noise control, safety inspections, signage, bathroom facilities, etc. Hayes said he agreed with everything on the City’s list and would abide by the stipulations.

In other business, the Board approved a petition to replat a section of an existing subdivision. Cedar Estates Addition Replat will be located on approximately 2.5 acres located on the east side of Cedar Estates. The property has a future land use designation of Residential Low Density which permits a maximum of four dwelling units per gross acre.

Newberry Planning and Economic Development Director Bryan Thomas said the proposed plat meets the minimum lot size and width requirements for the eight lots proposed in the replat. “The current lot configuration has six buildable lots. The replat will contain seven lots for construction of detached single-family residences and one lot designated for stormwater retention,” said Thomas. Electric, potable water and sanitary sewer services will be provided to this project by the City of Newberry.

In other business, it was announced that the Spring Festival is scheduled for April 1and the Newberry Watermelon Festival date this year would be May 20.

#     #     #

Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com