Welaunee
One of Tallahassee’s Largest Areas of Future Growth is Taking Shape
Welaunee encompasses thousands of acres in northeast Tallahassee and has been planned for decades as a major area of future growth. Today, that growth is no longer theoretical. New neighborhoods are being built, major roads and infrastructure are underway, and decisions being made now will help determine what this part of Tallahassee looks like for generations.
Welaunee At-a-Glance
If you live in Tallahassee, you’ve probably heard of Welaunee. But unless you’re paying close attention, it can be hard to follow exactly what’s going on.Welaunee is not a single subdivision or development. It’s about 6,600 acres in northeast Tallahassee that’s been planned in phases and districts, with thousands of homes, commercial development, roads, schools, parks and other infrastructure envisioned over time.
The Heel
893 Acres
Located north of I-10, the Heel is now being developed as TalisTrails, a large master-planned community.
TalisTrails
Up to 2,107 Residential Units
1.14 Million SF Non-Residential
The Toe
935 Acres
The southernmost portion of Welaunee includes the approximately 500-acre Canopy development.
Canopy: 505 Acres
Up to 1,570 Residential Units
115K SF Office & Retail
Toe East (City Owned): 430 Acres
Up to 1,817 Residential Units
272K SF Commercial
The Arch
4,778 Acres
The Arch is the largest portion of Welaunee. Its adopted master plan divides the property into five districts.
In Total
Up to 12,500 Residential Units
3 Million SF Non-Residential
Welaunee in Total
Approximately 6,606 Acres
Up to 17,994 Residential Units
4.53 Million SF Commercial/Non-Residential
Two Major Decisions to Watch
The Toe – Canopy
Major Changes Are Proposed to an Existing Development Agreement
In the southern portion—or “toe”—of Welaunee, the City is considering significant changes to the development agreement governing Canopy and the transportation infrastructure needed to support it.
The proposed amendment before the City Commission now addresses development rights, traffic capacity and responsibility for portions of Welaunee Boulevard and other transportation improvements.
Some roads originally tied to developer obligations would instead involve the developer providing right-of-way while the City takes responsibility for construction and taxpayers bear the cost. The agreement also includes long-term provisions governing transportation capacity and future development.
The details matter because development agreements can determine not only what a developer is required to provide, but what taxpayers may ultimately be responsible for building.
The Arch
The landowner is currently seeking to rezone 1,227 acres of the Arch through a Concept Planned Unit Development (PUD). The plan depicts 6,591 residential units and 425,000 square feet of commercial and other nonresidential development—but those numbers are identified as informational rather than maximum limits, meaning the proposed zoning could potentially allow more development than the Concept Plan shows.
The plan also identifies approximately 395 acres as Open Space/Greenway, but that designation can include everything from natural habitat to stormwater facilities, parks, trails and landscaped areas. It does not specify how much will actually remain undeveloped, despite the preservation of wildlife habitat and connected natural areas being central to earlier discussions with the Keep It Rural coalition.
For a project of this size and lasting impact, meaningful public engagement has also been limited. While adjacent neighborhoods received required notice, there has been little broader effort to make residents aware of the proposal, provide opportunities to ask questions and receive answers, or gather public feedback before the rezoning moves forward.
Taxpayers Cost for Welaunee’s Growth: $202 Million…So Far
Thousands of new homes and businesses aren’t the only things being built in Welaunee. Taxpayers are already investing heavily in the roads and infrastructure supporting its growth—including Welaunee Boulevard, with current project estimates topping $202 million. As development expands into the Heel and Arch, so will its infrastructure needs—raising an important question: How much of the cost of growth should be paid by developers, and how much should taxpayers be expected to shoulder?