Alachua Commission Approves 246-Home Subdivision

ALACHUA ‒ With City of Alachua approval, 246 residential homes east of Northwest 188^th Street are closer to reality. The Alachua City Commission on Dec. 11, 2023 approved a preliminary plat/final Planned Development (PD) plan for Farmlands Subdivision. The 172-acre property is proposed to be developed in three phases into 246 single-family lots with associated common areas and road right-of-way.

The property is located south of U.S. Highway 441, east of Northwest 188^th Street, and west of the Santa Fe Ford dealership. There will be two vehicular access points off U.S. Highway 441 and one gated emergency access on Northwest 188^th Street. The Planning and Zoning Board at its November meeting recommended approval to the City Commission.

In other business, the Alachua City Commission pronounced Dec. 18 as Matthew Lewey Day. Born in Alachua/Newnansville on Dec. 18, 1848, Lewey served as a mayor, editor, postmaster, Justice of the Peace, and State legislator. This year marks the 175th anniversary of his birth. Alachua County Commissioner Chuck Chestnut, an ancestor of Lewey, was present to receive the proclamation from the Alachua City Commission recognizing Lewey for his many accomplishments.

The Alachua Commission chamber was standing room only as parents and friends of Alachua Learning Academy students came to witness gayly dressed younger students from the school present a rousing musical presentation featuring “Stand by Me” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. With a nod to the holiday season, lines from familiar Christmas songs were incorporated into their performance. Each youngster received a certificate from the Alachua City Commission to commemorate their performance at City Hall.”

In a related matter, students from the Bhaktivedanta Academy were presented art certificates for their artwork which is on display in the foyer of City Hall.

In other business, the Commission approved amending the City of Alachua Land Development Regulations regarding infrastructure plan standards; subdivision standards; specific purposes of residential districts; use-specific standards for residential uses; purpose of tree mitigation standards; tree planting, relocation, replacement, credit, and banking standards; permanent signage within residential and agricultural districts; posting of surety devices for public improvements; and subdivider responsibility for maintenance of improvements. The Planning and Zoning Board at its November meeting recommended approval to the City Commission.

The Commission also approved the purchase of a new vacuum/industrial tank trunk from National Truck Center at a cost of $144,400 with a transport option of $1,200. The Public Services Department, Wastewater Division approved budget included the purchase of a vacuum/industrial tank truck not to exceed $150,000. National Truck Center was the low bidder on the purchase.

The Commission also approved an agreement with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office for proposed Mutual Aid Agreement - Combined Operational Assistance and Voluntary Cooperation between the Alachua County Sheriff and the City of Alachua. The term for the agreement extends to Jan. 7, 2025, and permits voluntary cooperation and assistance of a routine law enforcement nature across jurisdictional lines and rendering of assistance in a law enforcement emergency. The Commission approved a Voluntary Cooperation Mutual Aid Agreement for Traffic Control between the Alachua County Sheriff and the City of Alachua. The term for this proposed agreement will extend through Jan. 27, 2025, and provides for Alachua Police Department officers to enforce Florida traffic laws and conduct crash investigations on specified roadways located outside the City's corporate boundaries, but still within Alachua County

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