Alachua Approves Commercial Rezoning for U.S. 441 And CR 235A

ALACHUA ‒ The vacant northwest corner of U.S. Highway 441 and County Road 235A received the initial nod for commercial development following unanimous approval by city commissioners Monday night.

In a 4-0 vote, the Alachua City Commission on April 7, 2025, approved on first reading two related ordinances — Ordinance 25-06 and Ordinance 25-07 — that amend both the Future Land Use Map (FLUM) and the Official Zoning Atlas for approximately 5.07 acres located at 16313 N.W. U.S. Highway 441.

Ordinance 25-06 changes the land use designation of the property from Agriculture and Rural/Agriculture (County) to Commercial, aligning it with the City of Alachua’s future land use planning and allowing for business-related development on the site.

Ordinance 25-07, approved in a quasi-judicial hearing, rezones the property from Agricultural (A)(County) and Administrative and Professional (AP)(County) to Community Commercial (CC). This zoning category permits a wide range of commercial uses intended to serve the broader community and is typically designated for properties located along major roadways like U.S. 441.

Commissioners heard from one resident who lives in the neighborhood immediately north of the site being rezoned. She asked the commission to keep that neighborhood, although not located within the City of Alachua, in mind as projects on the site move forward. Adequate buffering between the neighborhood and the commercial parcel was of particular concern.

The site includes two parcels — tax numbers 03044-001-002 and 03044-002-000 — and was recently annexed into the city. Under Alachua’s Land Development Regulations, annexed land must be assigned a city zoning designation before development can proceed. The zoning change satisfies that requirement and opens the door to future commercial projects.

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