A massive proposed housing development in Bunnell appears to be no more, thanks to a vote on Monday by the Bunnell City Commission. The Reserve at Haw Creek, as the development was tentatively named, would’ve been 2,787 acres and brought some six to eight thousand new homes to Bunnell, plus an RV park with 800 spots. The developers will have 30 days to appeal the decision.
A large contingent of residents attended Monday evening’s meeting, almost universally opposing the project. Public comments were lengthy, forcing commissioners to reckon with the sentiment of those who showed up to engage in the civic process. With Bunnell’s population at 3,276 as of the 2020 census, if each new home had added only one new resident then Bunnell’s population still had the potential to triple once The Reserve at Haw Creek was completed.
The City Commission one Monday was given the opportunity to approve a statutory development agreement for The Reserve at Haw Creek. Documentation from the meeting agenda outlined a series of infrastructure projects planned by owner JM Properties and developer Northeast Florida Developers. Among the aspects agreed to by the groups were a water treatment facility, sewer lines, stormwater infrastructure, and a donation of four acres for ‘future satellite City offices’.
The majority vote to strike down the development was formed by David Atkinson, John Rogers, and Pete Young. The dissenting vote was made up of Mayor Catherine Robinson and Dean Sechrist. Reasoning to support The Reserve included concerns about diversifying the city’s tax base, and creating a more robust consumer-base for Bunnell’s local businesses. Opponents worried about the strain the new homes could create for traffic, schools, and flooding.
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
TR
June 11, 2025 at 12:39 pm
I thought I had commented on this article yesterday, so Not sure where the comment went.
So glad the Bunnell council voted against this development. They just saved a bunch of head aches for themselves and the residence of Bunnell. Maybe they saw what happened to Palm Coast because of all the approved developments for building and didn’t do anything with the infrastructure and now that city has a bunch of problems and people are moving out.
Gail Walton
June 11, 2025 at 4:36 pm
My neighbor and I have 5 acre estates. They want to envelope and surround our properties with dense housing on 40′ lots and apartments. There own consultant, Mr. Stubbs has stated that doing that type of zoning was not sensible. Yet, that is what they are still proposing. It is not only not sensible, it is downright ludicrous,disrespectful and just plain BAD zoning. I have chickens. My neighbor has a 3,000 sq ft house under construction and he has put in horse paddocks. He does not want to be surrounded by townhouses,row houses, or other types of dense housing and apartments. I have asked them to amend that portion of the plan in section B.