Newberry approves first reading to annex 16 contiguous county parcels into city limits
July 15, 2025 | City of Newberry , Alachua County, Florida
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The Newberry City Commission on July 28, 2025, approved on first reading a set of ordinances to annex 16 parcels of unincorporated Alachua County land into the city. The parcels are enclaves or contiguous to Newberry’s municipal boundary and total roughly 203 acres; each ordinance will return for a second reading on Aug. 11.
Chelsea Pekaitis of the city’s community development department told the commission staff had mailed about 300 notices to landowners and received 15 voluntary annexation petitions. She said one motivating factor appears to be voters who thought they lived inside the city but discovered they were county residents when voting; staff also confirmed statutorily required notices were posted and transmitted to Alachua County growth management with no objection.
City Attorney read the annexation ordinances by title and cited section 171.044 of the Florida Statutes, the statutory process for voluntary annexation petitions. Commissioners conducted the quasi-judicial procedure: applicants and staff were sworn, the city described the required substantial-competent-evidence standard, and public comment was opened; no significant public opposition appeared at the hearing. The commission voted to adopt each annexation ordinance on first reading by unanimous vote; agenda items covered ordinance numbers 2025-17 through 2025-30 (annexation 39 and related parcel-specific ordinances). If approved again at second reading on Aug. 11, the parcels will become part of the City of Newberry and be subject to city land-use and zoning regulations.
Why it matters: Annexation changes jurisdiction for land-use regulation, tax status and voting eligibility for residents. Staff said the annexations strengthen municipal contiguity and compactness of the city boundary and respond to voluntary requests from property owners.
Public comment and related developments: At the meeting, a business representative, Brian Hercules of SRM Concrete/Hollingshead Materials, said he has a contract to purchase a parcel that is part of the annexation sequence and plans further zoning and permit actions. City staff confirmed standard procedural steps (two readings, notification to county) and said the city will proceed to second reading on Aug. 11.
Chelsea Pekaitis of the city’s community development department told the commission staff had mailed about 300 notices to landowners and received 15 voluntary annexation petitions. She said one motivating factor appears to be voters who thought they lived inside the city but discovered they were county residents when voting; staff also confirmed statutorily required notices were posted and transmitted to Alachua County growth management with no objection.
City Attorney read the annexation ordinances by title and cited section 171.044 of the Florida Statutes, the statutory process for voluntary annexation petitions. Commissioners conducted the quasi-judicial procedure: applicants and staff were sworn, the city described the required substantial-competent-evidence standard, and public comment was opened; no significant public opposition appeared at the hearing. The commission voted to adopt each annexation ordinance on first reading by unanimous vote; agenda items covered ordinance numbers 2025-17 through 2025-30 (annexation 39 and related parcel-specific ordinances). If approved again at second reading on Aug. 11, the parcels will become part of the City of Newberry and be subject to city land-use and zoning regulations.
Why it matters: Annexation changes jurisdiction for land-use regulation, tax status and voting eligibility for residents. Staff said the annexations strengthen municipal contiguity and compactness of the city boundary and respond to voluntary requests from property owners.
Public comment and related developments: At the meeting, a business representative, Brian Hercules of SRM Concrete/Hollingshead Materials, said he has a contract to purchase a parcel that is part of the annexation sequence and plans further zoning and permit actions. City staff confirmed standard procedural steps (two readings, notification to county) and said the city will proceed to second reading on Aug. 11.
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