Proposed General Land Use Map for the Welaunee “Arch” area.
Provided by Holtzman Vogel law f
USA TODAY Network, Reuters
Plans to bring massive development to the Welaunee Arch site are slowing down so more residents can get up to speed on what’s being proposed.
The shift is a direct result of questions raised and a public call for more time to digest details on what’s now the last untouched swath of land on the Welaunee Plantation Property.
Gary Hunter, a Tallahassee attorney representing Powerhouse Inc., the arch’s owner, said plans are now underway to host community meetings that may take place later this year or early 2027.
It also means a new City Commission makeup could lean progressive in two of the three races in the November general election and potentially impact the amendment’s progress.
Yet, Hunter said the land owner isn’t interested in “leaving a bad taste in people’s mouths,” adding his client isn’t a developer and has owned the land for decades.
“The reason for the request is simple,” said Hunter, in an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat. “There were a handful … of people who had expressed some concerns. We felt like we would be approved by both the Planning Commission and the (Tallahassee) City Commission.”
“But, more importantly than getting approved, I wanted a community meeting with whoever wants to attend that meeting,” Hunter said. “And, I don’t mean a public meeting with the city or any city staff. but just a community meeting with concerned citizens to give them the history of the entitlement process rated to this site.”
More background on what’s taken place so far with the Welaunee Arch
Earlier this month, an amendment to the Welaunee Arch Conceptual Planned Unit Development (PUD) received conditional approval from the city’s Development Review Committee. Dozens of emails from residents preceeded the meeting, most of which requested more time before the amendment was approved and moved to the next step.
The Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Commission was slated to weigh in on Oct. 6 but the item is being pulled at the request of the land owner, Hunter said.
The PUD amendment area consists of 1,227 acres east of Centerville Road, west of Miccosukee Road and north of Interstate 10 in the Critical Planning Area zoning district, with roughly 40% of it being designated as conservation land.
If approved, it would allow the construction of a town center, village center and neighborhood and residential zones within what’s called the Welaunee Arch Phase I. The change could also greenlight the construction of up to 6,591 new homes and 425,000 square feet of commercial space and other non-residential areas.
When asked why the owners are interested in preparing the land for potential development, Hunter said it’s a matter of timing for the other major pieces associated with or located near the Welaunee tract.
He referred to several public and private projects are underway that includes the Welaunee I-10 interchange (Phase I has been planned and approved) that would go through the Welaunee Arch.
The Arch Phase I is just one piece of the gigantic 4,800-acre tract within the Welaunee property. Its entirety spans a little over 6,600 acres, divided into the “Toe,” the “Heel” and the “Arch.” The Arch land also will be home to the Northeast Park, a Blueprint-funded project on the southwest corner of the Arch’s borders.
Even if and when the Weluanee Arch PUD amendment gets approved, Hunter said he doesn’t believe a development plan will surface until after roadwork on the property is completed that includes Welaunee Boulevard and Shamrock Street, as part of the Blueprint-funded Northeast Gateway.
Project details, as describe on Blueprint’s website, said the Northeast Gateway project will provide funding to construct a new roadway, Welaunee Boulevard, north from Fleischman Road to Roberts Road, and will develop a two-lane extension of Shamrock Street from Centerville Road to Welaunee Boulevard.
Since roadwork is underway, Hunter said it made since to get the PUD amendment completed, even if a developer hasn’t been identified. He also said PUD is consistent with what’s allowed through the Comprehensive Plan, which serves as a blueprint for growth throughout the city and county.
“It will probably ultimately end up being less development than what’s permitted in the Comprehenive Plan,” Hunter said.
Residents rejoice over decision to offer community meetings
Lynne Takacs, one of the vocal and concerned residents who raised questions about the PUD, said she feels heard and “it is the best feeling in the world.”
“Today is an amazing day,” said Takacs, who launched a website – beforewebuildtlh.org – to shine a light on potential impacts for large scale projects.
She applauded the land owner’s decision for two reasons: it gives the public more time to understand what’s going on and “get a seat at the table” and shows the power of public engagement.
“It proves that taking the time to speak up and let the Planning Department public officials know how you feel matters,” she said.
Contact Economic Development Reporter TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com and follow @TaMarynWaters on X.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: ‘An amazing day’: Residents celebrate Welaunee Arch development delay
Reporting by TaMaryn Waters, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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This story was originally published September 30, 2026 at 1:34 PM.