News
Annexation Coverage
City commissioners tee up controversial Phipps land annexation for vote
June 10, 2026 | Tallahassee Democrat | Jeff Burlew
The Tallahassee City Commission voted 3-2 to move forward with a voluntary annexation request from property owner Jeffrey Phipps involving five parcels of rural land near the Lake Jackson area. The request would bring the 1,700 acres into the City of Tallahassee and place future land-use decisions for the parcels under city jurisdiction.
City commissioners taking up annexation of fragile Lake Jackson area land
June 10, 2026 | Tallahassee Democrat | Jeff Burlew
Tallahassee city commissioners will take up an annexation request that would open the door to more development near Lake Jackson and North Meridian Road — a contentious proposition that got shot down last year amid opposition from residents and environmental groups.
City commissioners taking up annexation of fragile Lake Jackson area land
June 10, 2026 | Tallahassee Democrat | Jeff Burlew
Tallahassee city commissioners will take up an annexation request that would open the door to more development near Lake Jackson and North Meridian Road — a contentious proposition that got shot down last year amid opposition from residents and environmental groups.
City commissioners taking up annexation of fragile Lake Jackson area land
May 22, 2026 | WCTV | Matt Hoffmann
Despite a vote rejecting a similar proposal last year, Jeffrey Phipps, a wealthy Tallahassee landowner, has filed for voluntary annexation to bring parts of rural Leon County into city limits. Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor announced the voluntary annexation petition earlier this month, while City Commissioner Jack Porter said the issue will go before the city commission in June.
Phipps seeking annexation of land to develop north of Lake Jackson
May 8, 2026 | Tallahassee Democrat | Jeff Burlew
Jeffrey Phipps, the wealthy landowner who pushed unsuccessfully last year for Comp Plan changes to allow more intensive development on his property near the Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve, has filed for voluntary city annexation. Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor, who helped lead the charge against the Comprehensive Plan amendment, alerted constituents in an email of the latest move to develop in the environmentally sensitive area.
Orchard Pond Coverage Where Land Owner States He Won’t Develop Further
Private toll road intended to save nature, wildlife
March 9, 2015 | Tallahassee Democrat | Gerald Ensley
Excerpts:
“When Phipps announced the project in 2011, skeptics wondered if it was a ploy to aid development of the surrounding property or other Phipps properties. But Phipps, scion of one of Tallahassee’s old money families, has insisted from the start that he is building the road to save the land….
“Phipps insists he has no intention of developing the remainder of the property. That’s why he’s adding the scenic conservation strips and wants to sell the remainder to the state. Besides,any development would require access points that would slow traffic and ruin the value of the 5-mile throughway. If I put suburbs in here, I would lose the revenue (of drivers using the toll road),” Phipps said. “The future revenueis a huge incentive to keep this open and wild….
He believes a toll road provides a way to preserve the natural beauty of his land and remove the pressure to develop the property.”
Comp Plan Coverage About Lake Jackson
Development halts for area north of Lake Jackson following environmental concerns
December 1, 2025 | WTXL | Maya Sargent
Proposed development north of Lake Jackson has been halted by Leon County following environmental concerns. Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor said County staff have recommended increasing the commitment for public infrastructure by connecting sewer to the area east of Meridian Road.
‘Remain engaged’: Residents hear latest on Comp Plan proposal affecting Lake Jackson
November 15, 2025 | Tallahassee Democrat | Jeff Burlew
Residents expressed skepticism about a Comp Plan proposal to allow more development around the Lake Jackson aquatic preserve — a move environmental groups oppose because of the harm it could cause to the lake system and the North Meridian canopy road.
Residents hear latest on Comp Plan proposal impacting Lake Jackson
November 14, 2025 | Tallahassee Democrat | Jeff Burlew
Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor speaks with residents about proposed Comp Plan changes that would bring more development around the Lake Jackson aquatic preserve during a meeting Nov. 13, 2025, at the Northside Community Center on Oak Grove Road.
City, county planners back away from Lake Jackson development plans amid concerns
November 11, 2025 | Tallahassee Democrat | Jeff Burlew
A small group of people hoping to restore and protect Carr Cemetery, an all but abandoned grave site located off North Meridian Road near Orchard Pond Parkway, visited the property amid concerns about proposed large-scale nearby development.
‘Community altering’: Concerns mount over Comp Plan changes allowing Lake Jackson development
November 9, 2025 | Tallahassee Democrat | Jeff Burlew
Concerned citizens, environmental groups and others are lining up to oppose changes to the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan that could open the door to large-scale development north of an already impaired Lake Jackson.
Leon County to discuss proposed development for area around Lake Jackson
October 20, 2025 | WTXL | Maya Sargent
Leon County is set to discuss the Tallahassee-Leon County 2030 Comprehensive Plan, which includes plans to develop parts north of Lake Jackson. The plan would develop 2000 acres north of Lake Jackson.