BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
The first project to take advantage of Starke’s new standards for planned unit developments was revealed as the city and Kingsley Development moved to amend future land use downtown for CityWalk.
The heart of the CityWalk project are the 48 townhomes that will be available to rent or purchase, with the target residents being teachers, nurses, first responders, correctional officers, active and retired military, etc.
City commissioners recently approved tentative future land use changes for the associated properties to allow high density residential development. The applications were made by the city and Kingsley Development. The parcels include the site of the current veterans memorial park, which will be relocated and expanded alongside the residential development.
A second commission vote is required to finalize the amendments, after which Dwight Hewett and his partner, Chris Raley of Sustainable Construction Group, can proceed with rezoning as a planned unit development.
Engineers with Woodward and Curran previously drafted an overall vision of CityWalk for Starke, imagining it as a central business and entertainment district that preserves the city’s historic charm with unique shops, restaurants and events. Pedestrian friendly, there could be green areas with parks and flowering gardens, including a walking trail. There could also be opportunities for expanding education and job training.
The vision takes its name from the residential development, which is meant to breathe new life into downtown Starke. Hewett recapped the history of the project which goes back to 2005 and a plan to build 90+ apartments downtown adjacent to the memorial park.
“The concept was to make a community that was very close to downtown, which I remembered as being very vibrant when I was a kid in the 60s,” he said. “This is why the project has always been named CityWalk.”
Then the housing market crashed. Then the state split the property and took half for the railroad overpass. Then COVID hit as Hewett was trying to reimagine the project. During the downtime, Hewett’s neighbor and collaborator became an expert in sustainable development, something important to them both. Hewett suggested Starke as a place for a joint endeavor.
“Today, CityWalk is a planned 45-unit, sustainably constructed pathway to home ownership where you can rent, rent-to-own or just own,” he said. “
The units are two-story, three-bedroom, two-bath townhomes with a garage — around 1,550 square feet each, he said. But that is not what makes them unique. They feature solar power and are more than twice as efficient at insulating heat and cold than the standard home, he said. They are designed to incorporate technology and withstand natural disasters.
Five stormwater mitigation rain gardens designed in cooperation with the universities of Florida and Miami dot the property. An in-ground collection system is also used for irrigation. Four electric vehicle charging stations would be open to everyone, as would the linear park on the perimeter of the property.
Despite what anyone may have heard, Hewett said this has never been a subsidized housing project.
The project had only fans speak up at the first public hearing. Amber Shepard with the Northeast Florida Economic Development Association said she was highly impressed after speaking with Hewett about his plans.
“Personally and professionally, I do see a significant value for Starke if we can move forward with this project,” she said, adding points for the development’s sustainability goals.
Members of Starke Downtown Merchants, Dawn Strickland and Chrissy Thompson, talked about how creating foot traffic will support businesses and increase economic development downtown.
“It will be a win-win-win for everyone,” Strickland said.
“Downtown businesses are starting to thrive after COVID, and we really need this project,” said Thompson.
Pam Whittle, president of the North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce, said the lack of housing for CityWalk’s target demographic hurts Bradford County because those who drive here for work eventually wind up working closer to home. Bradford trains them and then loses them, she said.
“This is a massive opportunity. The school system and a lot of other businesses have been looking for somewhere to house their workers,” she said.
Whittle added that if Starke doesn’t seize the opportunity, another community will.
“Mr. Hewett is doing this because he grew up here,” she said. “He wants to do this. It’s in his heart to do this. Don’t think Green Cove and Palatka aren’t courting him. They want this. They’re ready to give him all kinds of incentives to come there.”
On that point Whittle went further, saying the area needs an immediate response team when these economic development inquiries come in.
“We can’t be caught dragging our feet. Economic developers talk, and we do not want to get the reputation as somebody that’s slow to do business with,” she said.
As for the impact of the CityWalk residences downtown, Whittle said they promise a minimum of 90 customers living in and ready to do business with Starke merchants, with the added tax revenue for the city being the icing on the cake.
The chamber of commerce is constantly asked to do something to bring in new businesses and increase foot traffic, she said in her endorsement.
“He named it CityWalk. Think about it,” she said.
The proposed land use amendments received a negative recommendation from the city’s zoning board. Zoning official Kevin Powell said concerns were raised about additional traffic into and out of the development as well as the relocation of veterans park, possible disruption for those who walk for fitness and flooding.
Powell, however, testified the parcels were buildable with the appropriate mitigation measures taken and said the requested changes were compatible with the surrounding area,
The commission voted 3-0 in favor of the amendments on first reading. Commissioners Janice Mortimer and Danny Nugent were absent.
Starke recently amended its code to allow for smaller planned unit developments like CityWalk.
