Telegraph Editor
STARKE — The city of Starke is close to expanding its borders to take in a proposed multiuse development on either side of the bypass on State Road 16.
Commissioners approved on first reading an ordinance to accept the voluntary annexation of more than 177 acres into the city limits.
Previously, a combination of federal ARPA funds and a state legislative allocation were approved to extend Starke’s water and sewer services to the location. Leaders reasoned the bypass interchange located on S.R. 16 would draw economic development or residential growth if the utilities were there to support it.
Gerry Dedenbach of CHW Professional Consultants was present at the Oct. 17 meeting to represent the landowner, Osceola Timber Company.
The 177 acres represent a development opportunity for the city and county, he said.
Dedenbach said he would be returning in a few weeks — following finalization of the annexation — to proceed with a future land use amendment and zoning change for the property. The changes will align with the city’s land development regulations for a mixed-use commercial and residential development.
Mayor Scott Roberts and commissioners Andy Redding and Shannon Smith voted 3-0 to approve the ordinance on first reading.
Commercial rezonings approved
The commission also finalized the commercial rezoning requested by applicant Johnny Grand at the corner of S.R. 16 and Northwest County Road 229.
Another commercial rezoning, brought by applicant Robert Blaine, was approved on first reading. The land is located on U.S. 301, just south of Dollar Tree. Building and zoning official Kevin Powell said the front portion of the parcel is already zoned for commercial development, but the back is zoned for residential use. Final approval of the commission will eliminate the split use.
Interest in Starke is growing
Pending and proposed developments have kept the building and zoning office busy, according to City Clerk Jimmy Crosby.
Crosby acknowledged Powell’s hard work reviewing plans and inspecting buildings, and he welcomed Lance Campbell as office manager for the department.
“You don’t know the kind of work they’re doing out there with a very, very small staff,” Crosby said, noting that 90% of the meeting agenda involved planning, zoning and annexation. “These last five or six months have been a Herculean job.”
“We are growing, the commercial development that’s taking place,” he said. “We’ve got construction companies coming in, apartment companies coming in to do things. There’s a lot of activity taking place.”
In other business:
—The first reading of an ordinance adding telecommunications towers as an allowable use by special exception in all zoning categories was also approved. This pertains to monopoles unless the applicant can justify erecting a lattice tower. According to the city attorney, this effectively limits the height to 200 feet.
Several applicants have approached the city, Martin said, but the city realized there was nothing in the land development code allowing the erection of these towers.
—Teens from the Bradford SWAT group appeared before the board to request Starke’s parks be tobacco-free spaces. The students successfully lobbied the county commission to prohibit smoking and vaping in its recreational spaces. Starke commissioners asked their attorney to bring back an ordinance for consideration.
