The Issue
What’s Happening Near Lake Jackson
A proposal to annex approximately 1,742 acres north of Lake Jackson into the City of Tallahassee is moving forward and could pave the way for one of the largest development projects in our region. The decisions made over the coming weeks could shape our community—and put taxpayers on the hook for paying for roads, infrastructure, and public services—for decades to come. This website compiles the facts, documents, and data so residents can better understand what’s being proposed, what’s still unknown, and how to make their voices heard before those decisions are made.
Proposed Annexation into City of Tallahassee & Urban Service Area Expansion Map
Proposed Annexation – 1,741 acres
Urban Service Area
Take A Deeper Dive
Voluntary Annexation Application: VIEW PDF
This was filed by the landowner. The map differs some from the original property that he sought to have included in the Comp Plan. Most notable, is that one of the parcels stretches across Meridian Road at the entrance of Summerbrooke. This small sliver is already included in the Urban Services Area. The importance of this is described in the Annexation section below.
City’s Feasibility Study: VIEW PDF
A decision with consequences lasting decades deserves a thorough analysis. Read the City’s feasibility study for yourself and decide whether less than a page of narrative provides enough information to evaluate the impacts of annexing nearly 1,742 acres.
Interlocal Agreement Between the City and County on Annexation: VIEW PDF
This document explains the County’s role in the annexation process. While the County cannot stop annexation, it can request additional information and studies before the City moves forward. This particularly important given both the City and County share responsibility for Meridian Road and the uncertainty surrounding future funding if the property tax referendum passes in November.
The Scale of the Development
Without a master plan, we don’t know the full scale of what the developer has in mind. However, we do know the landowner sought Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) changes for much of this same property in 2025 that offer important clues. Had he been approved, it would have opened the door to urban-scale development that could include thousands of homes, shopping centers, offices, restaurants, and other commercial uses.
Land Use: Rural
Allows Up to
1 House Per 10 Acres
Land Use: Lake Protection
Allows Up to
20 Housing Units Per Acre Per Acre
Allows Up to
20,000 Sq. Ft. of Commercial Space Per Acre
How Big is 1,742 Acres?
More Than
½
the Size of
Southwood
2,900 Acres
Nearly
2x
the Size of
Welaunee
900 Acres
Annexation Doesn’t Just Shift Responsibility, It Green Lights Development
Annexation of this land will not simply shift jurisdiction from the County to the City. After the County rejected a proposal to increase development potential on these lands, a new Comprehensive Plan policy created a different path forward. Because the annexation includes property within the Urban Services Area, the property’s Rural land use designation can no longer remain in place and must be changed. That change would allow substantially greater density than is permitted today.
Dec. 2025
The County Said No
The landowner sought to move the property into the Urban Services Area and increase its development potential through a Comprehensive Plan amendment. The County Commission rejected the proposal.
Jan. 2026
New Comp Plan Policy Takes Effect
New Comp Plan policy goes into effect. Now land within the Urban Services Area may NOT remain designated as Rural, requiring a new land use classification if annexed.
May 2026
Annexation Revives Development Potential
The landowner petitions to annex the property into the City which includes a parcel already located within the Urban Services Area, triggering the very policy change that requires the property’s Rural land use designation to be changed.
Most Likely Land Use:
Lake Protection – That Sounds Good…Right?
1000 Friends of Florida describes it this way: “Despite its name, the current Lake Protection zoning language focuses on promoting suburban development instead of protecting the lake. The development potential on the parcel will increase dramatically, from up to 170 units under Rural to up to 6,000 units under Lake Protection.”
The Hidden Consequence of Land Use Changes:
Once Granted, Development Rights Are Difficult to Reverse
Under Florida law, once development entitlements are granted, local governments generally cannot reduce them later. As a result, decisions made during the annexation and land use process can have lasting impacts on traffic, infrastructure, taxpayers, and the environment.
Take a Deeper Dive
Comp Plan Community Engagement Summary Report: VIEW PDF
Last fall, the City and County held five community meetings to give residents an opportunity to review the proposed Comprehensive Plan maps and ask questions. Residents concerned about the proposed changes near Lake Jackson attended meetings at the Lake Jackson and Bradfordville community centers. According to the Planning Department’s November 18, 2025 summary, more than 90 people attended the two Lake Jackson-area meetings, compared with just 23 attendees at the other three meetings combined. With the exception of four comments, every public comment received focused on concerns or opposition to the proposed changes that would increase the property’s future development potential.
- Overview of Lake Jackson & Bradfordville Community Meetings: Pages 29 & 33
- Major Topics in Written Feedback: Page 35
- Comments: Pages 48-51
Status Report on the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan Land Use and Mobility Element Update: VIEW PDF
At the same November 18 County Commission, the Planning Department presented a status report. In it, they outlined:
- Concerns raised by the public: Pages 4 & 14
- Environemental risks: Page 5
- Traffic issues and called adding capacity impractical: Pages 5-6
- Recommended it be removed from the Urban Services Area and not receive a land use change: Page 8
* Note: This document was included in the County Commission Meeting Packet and as such has page numbers 534-551. The page numbers referenced are where they fall in the attached pdf.
What is the Urban Services Area and what does density mean?
The Urban Services Area (USA) is the area designated for urban growth where public services such as roads, water, sewer, parks, and emergency services are planned to be provided. Land within the USA is generally eligible for more intensive development than land outside it. Density refers to how many homes can be built on a piece of property.
Bottom Line
Annexation is not simply a decision about who governs the property. It will dramatically change the property’s development potential, making the City’s vote on annexation on August 26 the most consequential decision in the future of this land.
”Sources”
- Annexation Map – Created by 1000 Friends of Florida – You can read what they have to say about this issue on their webiste: HERE
- Voluntary Annexation Application – More details can be found under the “Take a Deeper Dive” section located at the bottom of the What’s Happening section above – VIEW PDF
- City’s Feasibility Study – More details can be found under the “Take a Deeper Dive” section located at the bottom of the What’s Happening section above – VIEW PDF
- Interlocal Agreement Between the City and County on Annexation – More details can be found under the “Take a Deeper Dive” section located at the bottom of the What’s Happening section above – VIEW PDF
- Comp Plan Community Engagement Summary Report – More details can be found under the “Take a Deeper Dive” section located at the bottom of the Annexation section above – VIEW PDF
- Public Comment Received About this Property Made During the Comp Plan – Can be found in the “Status Report on the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan Land Use and Mobility Element Update”. More details can be found under the “Take a Deeper Dive” section located at the bottom of the Annexation section above: VIEW PDF