The Putnam County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of REZ25-000013, a county-sponsored request to rezone a 1.83-acre parcel at 125 West McCormick Road in East Palatka from Industrial-Light to Public Use-Light. Planning staff said the proposed rezoning is consistent with the county comprehensive plan and the Land Development Code and would allow development of additional park amenities.

Ethan Thompson of Planning and Development Services presented the staff report and said the parcel appears free of wetlands and lies in FEMA Flood Zone X, and that future improvements would require standard DRC review. Julian Young, Deputy County Administrator, explained the lot had been donated by local families with stipulations that a playground and a dedication sign (Beaten Ballpark) be installed; he said the county now seeks the rezoning so it can add infrastructure such as shade structures and a pickleball court.

Commissioners expressed support for stepping the land down from industrial use to public use within the residential neighborhood. No members of the public spoke for or against the application. A motion to recommend approval was made and seconded and the commission voted unanimously to forward the rezoning to the Board of County Commissioners for final action.

If the Board approves the rezoning, the county will proceed to DRC for site-level design and permitting of the additional playground and park amenities.