BUNNELL, Fla. – A massive development project that would add 6,100 new homes and nearly quadruple the size of Bunnell has received initial approval from city officials, marking a significant turnaround for the previously rejected project.
The Haw Creek Reserve project, spanning 2,800 acres south and west of the existing city limits, passed its first reading before the city commission Monday night. The development, which was initially rejected in June but revived by the mayor, now faces a final vote on Sept. 8.
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“This type of development is completely self-contained. It’s going to have a combination of commercial, residential, industrial,” said City Manager Alvin Jackson Jr.
The developers have scaled back their original proposal from 8,000 to 6,100 homes and added several community-focused elements. The new plan designates 61% of the 2,800-acre property as conserved green space and commits to making 10% of each subdivision affordable housing.
The development team has committed to significant infrastructure investments upfront.
“The developer is assisting right up front with building new wastewater treatment facilities, storm water, providing garbage trucks, land set aside for a fire station,” Jackson said.
The project features a 20-year phased buildout, which city officials say will allow time to scale up emergency services to meet the growing population’s needs. However, actual construction remains years away.
“By the time they finish doing their engineering and their environmental, it probably will be three to four years before they start building,” Jackson explained.
Despite the project’s potential economic benefits, nearby residents have expressed concerns about the development’s impact on local infrastructure.
“I’m shocked, real shocked. I mean the traffic is going to be wicked. It’s going to be really, really bad,” said David M., a local resident.
Those concerns are shared by others in the nearby Pine Forest community.
“Getting out of here now can be a problem sometimes but when you figure they add however many thousand homes they’re going to add, it’s going to be a whole heck of a lot worse,” said resident Delores Hembdt.
The Haw Creek Reserve project faces its final hurdle at the second reading scheduled for Sept. 8.