Wakulla County Commissioners Meet May 19: Zoning Steals Spotlight

The Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners’ Regular Public Meeting is set for Monday, May 19, 2025, at 5:00 P.M. in the Commission Chambers. The agenda tackles public safety, trails, waste management, historic preservation, zoning, and community representation. Scan this quick guide to stay informed and join the conversation!

• Why It Matters: From EMS upgrades to a heated zoning debate, these decisions shape Wakulla’s future. Attend or check docs on the county website to have your say!

Consent Agenda: Routine Votes (this time, mostly)

These items are set for a single vote unless pulled for discussion. Commissioners or officials can request a debate—here’s the lineup:

• Minutes Approval: May 5, 2025, meeting records (Greg James, Clerk of Court).

• Bills & Vouchers: County payments for May 1–14, 2025 (Greg James).

• EMS Medical Director Contract:

  • Awards RFQ 2025-06 to Dr. Colby Redfield for Public Safety ($39,000/year, 2-year contract, optional 3-year renewal).

  • Duties: Oversee EMS protocols, training, equipment, and quality improvement.

  • Budget: $78,000 for 2 years, General Fund, EMS Department (Michelle Metcalf, Intergovernmental Affairs).

  • The Procurement Office determined oral presentations were not necessary due to receiving one

    responsive proposal.

• Hudson Park Trail Lighting Grant:

  • Approves Amendment No. 1 to FDEP TRAIL-GO Grant TG019 ($135,000, no county match).

  • Adds 1 light (total 20), extends deadline to Dec 31, 2025, updates civil rights compliance.

  • Boosts trail safety for nighttime use (Michelle Metcalf).

• Solid Waste Grant:

  • Approves Amendment No. 1 to FDEP Grant SC530, increasing budget to $137,039.83 (no county match).

  • Funds pole barn replacement at Lower Bridge Landfill for hazardous waste storage (Michelle Metcalf).

General Business: Preserving History

• Panacea Mineral Springs Marker:

  • Resolution to apply for Florida Department of State 2027 Small Matching Historic Preservation Grant (up to $1,800, 50% county match from Parks Department).

  • Funds historical marker for Panacea Mineral Springs, a National Register site.

  • County Administrator as signatory (Michelle Metcalf, Melissa Corbett).

  • Why Care? Honors Panacea’s history and draws visitors!

Public Hearing: Zoning Change R25-02 Faces Opposition

• What’s Proposed:

  • Golden Construction Company, Inc. (Agent: Robert Miller) seeks to rezone 3.61 acres on Shadeville Road (Parcel ID: 00-00-059-000-10035-004) from RR-1 (Semi-Rural Residential, 1 unit/acre) to LDR (Low Density Residential, up to 2 units/acre with urban services).

  • Urban Fringe designation; Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval on May 12, 2025 after lengthy public input.

  • Public notified via mail (see attachment for dispute here - start page 87), signage, and Wakulla Sun ad (May 1, 2025).

• A Call to Deny:

  • Why It’s a Big Deal: A detailed opposition submission argues the rezoning is inconsistent, unjustified, and threatens community rights, raising alarms about overdevelopment and lax oversight.

  • Key Arguments:

    • Inconsistent with Comprehensive Plan: LDR is meant for areas near high-density zones (R-3, HDR), but nearby parcels are low-density (RR-1, RR-5, RSU-2) .

    • Land Development Code Failures: Application lacks triplicate copies, complete legal descriptions, and adjacent owner details. The “Reason for Application” states simply “rezone,” which appears insufficient. “‘Rezone’ is not a statement of the detailed reasons that the rezoning request is needed and justified.” Fee paid was $940 (for “Multiple Dwellings (Duplex, Triplex) or Non-Residential, Includes 4 or More SFR Rezoning Application, such as 5 acres to RR-1, 25 acres to RR-5, etc.”; vs. $710 for a single-family site), reflecting the intended LDR zoning for potential multi-unit plans, but RR-1 currently allows only single-family homes, and no evidence supports multi-unit development, suggesting the fee was misapplied based on the current zoning.

    • Spot Zoning Risk: Rezoning benefits only the applicant, lacking public purpose. Could disrupt rural character of adjacent large-lot homes (defined as 5+ acres, with homes >2,100 sq ft) and Forbes Estate (unrecorded RR-5 subdivision).

    • Community Impacts: 14 motor vehicle accidents in the last 12 months on Shadeville Road (204–900 block) highlight traffic concerns. Coastal environmental risks (springs, flooding) ignored.

    • Procedural Issues: Technical Review Committee (TRC) on April 10, 2025, allegedly “rubber-stamped” a deficient application. When a citizen inquired about the rezoning process, Somer Pell (Assistant County Administrator) and Susan Vickers (Senior Planner) implied that “as long as the application is for residential to residential and was permissible under the future comprehensive planning the rezoning was basically essentially guaranteed,” regardless of conformity with existing land use. The officials also suggested that building more homes would only require a comprehensive plan amendment, presented as nearly guaranteed, further eroding trust in the process.

    • Community Outcry: 25 of 26 canvassed homes oppose rezoning, citing distrust in officials, rising costs, teacher shortages, and unsustainable growth.

    • Due Process Violations: Lack of justification and deficient application infringe on adjacent owners’ rights, risking “arbitrary and capricious” approval akin to spot zoning.

  • Citizen’s Plea: Deny the application to protect neighborhood character, uphold zoning principles, and restore faith in county processes.

• What’s at Stake:

  • Approval could intensify development pressures, strain infrastructure, and erode rural charm.

  • Denial could signal stronger oversight and respect for community input.

• Your Role:

  • Speak at the hearing (3-minute limit, adjustable by Chairman).

  • Review the full submission and application on the county website.

  • Why Act? This debate could shape how Wakulla balances growth and preservation.

Commissioner Item: Regional Representation

• CACAA Board Appointment:

  • Commissioner Nichols proposes Commissioner Valerie Russell for the Capital Area Community Action Agency (CACAA) Board, replacing Commissioner Messersmith’s expired term.

  • 3-year term, bi-monthly Teams meetings; CACAA fights poverty across 8 counties (Fred Nichols).

Get Involved!

• Where: Commission Chambers, open to all.

• How: Attend, speak at the hearing, or review docs on the Wakulla County website or watch and comment online! You can also email your commissioners and county officials.

• Why: The zoning opposition highlights broader concerns about growth—your voice matters!