Vernon Council approves voluntary annexation: Major development will be within city limits

The major commercial and residential development on Moss Hill Road (County 279) is on its way to becoming part of the City of Vernon. City Council unanimously approved accepting a petition for voluntary annexation by the owners of Highland Properties, LLC.

Bud Clark of Clark Communities, Inc. was on hand to represent the owners of the approximately 50-acre tract. Clark said the owners plan to develop a supermarket “that would eventually be the size of a large Publix.” A real estate office and a seafood restaurant are also planned, and there would be six other storefront locations at the site, he said. Phase II would be a major residential development. A number of other elements are also proposed.

Clark said the City would verify the signatures on the petition and the next step would be to advertise for a non-emergency ordinance of annexation. Paperwork would be filed with the appropriate government agencies. Comments would be taken for 30 days.

The Florida Department of Community Affairs has approved the project, and County Planner Lynda Waller said the site was on the county land use map.

Clark said the owners hope to have all the paperwork done by mid-June, and to begin laying water and sewer lines by late 2008 or early 2009. They hope to begin construction by spring of 2009 and begin work on residential development by late 2009 or early 2010.

Council also approved the public school and economic development elements of the county comprehensive plan. The public school element is required and adding it is part of the current review process for the comp plan. “We handle schools like you handle roads,” said Alan Gray of West Florida Regional Planning Council.

This element sets up a formula for measuring the impact of residential development on public schools as far as funding new student stations and other improvements.

The economic development element broadly examines policies that could help the county’s economic growth.

Council also approved law bid of $134,532 from Thurman Construction for the stormwater project. The project is funded by a $200,000 grant from Northwest Florida Water management District. The bid is approved contingent upon review by NWFWMD. Leftover funds would be used for fencing and contingencies.

Council also approved setting up a checking account for funds raised by the fire department and not allowing any more wrestling cards in the gym.