Planning & Development Review Board · Wednesday, November 5, 2025 · 6:00 PM
Planning and Development Review Board Regular Meeting
Summary
The Freeport Planning & Development Review Board held a regular meeting on November 5, 2025, to review six items. The board approved a request for Fidelity Trust to change property from low- residential to mixed-use commercial; approved the Crystal Lake , a 165.33-acre mixed-use development with 242 single-family lots, 158 townhomes, 300 multifamily apartments, and 90,000 square feet of commercial space, along with five requests for and lot configurations; approved amendments to the Owls Head South Planned Development Project; approved a Code Enforcement to allow the city to hire a for code violations; approved changes to comply with Florida Senate Bill 180; and approved a variance request from a resident at 28 Oyster Village Boulevard to allow a 1.5-foot porch encroachment into the setback area. All motions passed unanimously.
Why it matters
These decisions will shape Freeport's growth, allowing significant new residential and commercial development (particularly the Crystal Lake project with over 700 units and the Fidelity Trust commercial zone) while also establishing a new code enforcement mechanism to address existing violations. The updates ensure the city complies with state law.
What happened
Development & zoning5 items
Fidelity Trust /
Passed 5–0 · unanimousApproved. The board approved of property on US 331 South from Low Residential (R-1) and designation to Mixed Use with C-1 General Commercial zoning to allow warehouse and/or light commercial use compatible with nearby developed properties.
Where: US 331 S
Part of project: Fidelity Trust Rezoning
Crystal Lake
Passed 5–0 · unanimousApproved. The board approved the 165.33-acre mixed-use with Phase I (242 single-family lots), Phase II (158 townhomes), and Phase III (300 multifamily apartments and 90,000 square feet of commercial space). Five requests were approved for Phase I five-foot side yard reduction to 5 feet, Phase I fifteen-foot rear setback clarification (reduced to 10 feet where abutting utility ), Phase I minimum lot width at (allowing widths below 50 feet in certain configurations), Phase II side lot setback reduction to 10 feet minimum width in multifamily areas, and Phase II fifteen-foot rear setback clarification (reduced to 10 feet where abutting utility easement). The developer is dedicating 1.6 acres to the city for a water tower.
Part of project: Crystal Lake Planned Development Project
Owls Head South Revisions
Passed 5–0 · unanimousApproved. The board approved amendments to the previously approved Owls Head South , which clarifies the design code addendum and includes a request for a 700 square foot minimum dwelling unit (small efficiency unit).
Part of project: Owls Head South Planned Development Project
Senate Bill 180 Revisions
Passed 5–0 · unanimousApproved. The board approved changes to the to ensure compliance with Florida Senate Bill 180.
Wheeler Request
Passed 5–0 · unanimousApproved. The board approved a request from the resident of 28 Oyster Village Boulevard to allow a 1.5-foot porch encroachment into the area for access/egress safety purposes. The property abuts HOA common space, and the HOA submitted a letter of support.
Where: 28 Oyster Village Boulevard
Part of project: Wheeler Variance Request
Other1 item
Code Enforcement
Passed 5–0 · unanimousApproved. The board approved a proposed Code Enforcement that would be added as an appendix to the . The ordinance authorizes the city to engage a to impose fines for outstanding code violations. The magistrate would be hired hourly as needed rather than employed full-time, and attorneys would submit applications for magisterial positions.
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