TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The latest map proposed by Leon County planners would block the expansion of utilities to much of the Lake Jackson area.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a reversal from the previous recommendation, passed by the Leon County Commission, which did expand the Urban Services Area.<\/p>\n
Commissioner Rick Minor said expanding the USA could\u2019ve led to the creation of a 10,000-home subdivision, which requires centralized sewer and water. The City of Tallahassee previously voted <\/a>to expand the services area in order to offer its utilities.<\/p>\n But if the county votes no, the USA will shrink back to its current boundaries.<\/p>\n \u201cNot just the community, which is very important, but also the state DEP expressed concerns about these proposed changes,\u201d Minor said. \u201cAnd, so happy to say that those changes are being walked back.\u201d<\/p>\n The president of the Friends of Lake Jackson, Sophie Wacogne-Speer, said this is a win for those concerned about the lake.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to congratulate the planning staff for their willingness to listen and consider and do the right reviews and reach the right conclusion,\u201d Wacogne-Speer said. <\/p>\n More Tallahassee news: <\/p>\n But she noted the overall \u201ccomprehensive plan,\u201d a type of land-use constitution, still allows for greater density and intensity of homes near the lake.<\/p>\n \u201cIn general, sewer connection is a better thing for the environment, but when you have so many homes in a new area that\u2019s going to affect the water body,\u201d Minor said.<\/p>\n Urban planners say the Tallahassee area needs 23,000 new homes by 2050, as the area can expect a population growth of 30,000 people.<\/p>\n That\u2019s led to both the city and the county considering changes to their comp plan to enact \u201csmart growth\u201d by encouraging development in downtown areas and some expansion into rural areas.<\/p>\n \u201cWe should not have come to this point,\u201d Minor said. \u201cWe should have had a thorough discussion about what these proposed changes were to be before transmission.\u201d<\/p>\n The County Commission will officially vote on backtracking next Tuesday with a commission meeting at 4 p.m. and a public hearing at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, Nextdoor<\/a> <\/a>and X<\/a> (Twitter<\/a>).<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here<\/a>. Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here<\/a> to get started.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n