Newberry Rezones 128 Acres from Ag to Planned Development

NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City commission at its Aug. 14 meeting approved several land-related items and financing of the City’s newly acquired quint fire apparatus.

One of the approved items was a request for a large-scale Future Land Use Map Amendment to change 128 +/- acres known as Newberry Plaza from Agriculture to Planned Development.

As this was second reading for this item, there was very little conversation prior to voting to approve this request. The project will bring 350 single-family dwelling units and proposes 150,000 square feet of commercial use.

The application was submitted by CHW Professional Consultants on behalf of Glenn Thomas Arpin, Senior, Jennifer Gray, Johanna Yarborough, Mary Jane Schofield James, Michael Gray and Robyn E. Bond. The project is located at the southeast corner of State Road 26/West Newberry Road and Southwest 242^nd Street.

Following approval of the above-referenced amendment, Commissioners also approved a request to rezone the same 128 acres from Agricultural (A) to Planned Development (PD).

Avalon Woods

The Commission also approved an application by JBPro, acting as agent for M3 Avalon Woods, LLC, owner, for approval of the final plat for Phase 2 of the Avalon Woods Mixed-Use development. The site consists of 24.28 +/- acres and is located on the east side of U.S. Highway 41/State Road 45, between Northwest 24^th and Northwest 16^th Avenues.

According to the plat, 106 developable detached single family lots at an average density of one dwelling unit per three acres are proposed, bringing the total number of developable lots to 260.

Post Woods

Also approved was a request for a preliminary plat approval for Post Woods Subdivision. The request was made by eda consultants, inc., agent, for Pat M. Post, owner. The property is located on the east side of Northwest 266^th Street, between Northwest 8^th Lane and Northwest 3^rd Place. According to the plat a total of 166 lots are proposed. A sidewalk is planned along 266^th Street as part of the project.

Lease-Purchase Agreement

Assistant City Manager and Director of Finance and Administration Dallas Lee received authorization to engage in a capital lease arrangement to fund the Newberry Fire Department’s new quint. Lee said that the lease-purchase will help to preserve the City’s cash reserves and cash flow.

The annual payments for the lease will be funded by the fire assessment increase that the City Commission previously adopted. City staff engaged PFM Financial Advisors LLC to serve as financial advisors for the City's proposed issuance of the lease.

“Staff requested proposals from local, regional, and national financial institutions to identify the most advantageous financing option and received three proposals by the submittal deadline,” said Lee. Flagstar Public Funding, Renasant Bank and Truist submitted proposals.

“Based on review of these proposals, Flagstar Public Funding's offer provides the best combination of favorable interest rates and terms for the City,” said Lee. Flagstar proposed a tax-exempt, fixed rate of 4.873 percent for five years, with prepayment flexibility anytime at 101 percent of par.

The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.

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