BUNNELL, Fla. – A massive development that would nearly quadruple the population of Bunnell was given its first green light by the city.
The project, called “The Reserve at Haw Creek,” would sprawl about 3,000 acres on land just south and west of the existing city.
City leaders told News 6 this development would grow the city from about 3,500 residents to almost 15,000 with new homes, apartments, even a town center with commercial spaces.
“This is what Bunnell really needs. It doesn’t help us just population-wise, but it helps grow our tax base,” said City Manager Alvin Jackson.
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The city leaders have been looking to bring in more industrial and commercial businesses and “The Reserve at Haw Creek” would do just that, tenfold.
“We do want to maintain the rural, small community feel, and the developer is committed to that. We want green space and they’re committed to that, too,” Jackson, said.
Some residents who live on farmlands near the proposed site told News 6 they have a few concerns.
“My top concerns are traffic. What’re they going to do to the road and the environment?” said Greg.
Community Development Director Joe Parsons said the commission’s approval this week allows the state to start looking into those exact issues.
“Like D.O.T. and the St. Johns River Water Management District and commerce to make sure that the resources we have aren’t going to be overextended,” he said.
Parsons said this project is years out from construction starting. This week, the commission just approved the change in land use. There are still several more processes the developers have to go through.
“This is called the submittal hearing and it’ll be submitted to the different state agencies for review and they have 30 days to do their review, come back, and then we have 180 days for the developer to accommodate what they’ve asked for,” Parsons said.
Then, more commission meetings and several agreements before they can even start talking design and the city figuring out how to handle the influx of people.
“Not only law enforcement, but trash pickup, other public works services,” Jackson said.
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