By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter
Chiefland City Commissioners Monday gave final zoning and land use approval to the future site of a tractor company.
Crystal Tractor, LLC., which currently operates north of town, expects to begin operating in about a year across the road from Strawberry Fields RV Park.
The RV park isn’t connected in any way to the tractor company. It is simply used as a marker in this story to illustrate where the store is to be located.
Steve Uiterwyk, representing the company, said the owners felt the location was a good one within a block of Chiefland Farm Supply and along U.S. 129 that carries traffic to Gainesville.
The city annexed the property into the Chiefland city limits and changed the zoning and land uses to commercial to match the future use.
Approval of the new business coincidentally comes as three restaurant chains have opened less than a half-mile away, and a Marathon gas station is being constructed in the same business neighborhood.
Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and Popeye’s have opened close to the intersection of U.S. 19, U.S. 129, and U.S. 27A. The Circle K gas station is being constructed a couple of blocks away, next to Ralph’s Burger House.
The Popeye’s restaurant was built at the site of the former Central Florida Electric Cooperative office. The CFEC building had become an eyesore after years of vacancy. Now it’s gone.
In other business, commissioners gave Police Chief Scott Anderson permission to apply for a USDA grant to purchase three more police vehicles. The new vehicles will replace police cars with more than 90,000 miles on the odometer. The city will match the grant with $25,000 to $30,000 of local funds.
Anderson said he wants to purchase Ford Explorers as police vehicles. The new explorers cost about $50,000 each when equipped with the police technology package.
Commissioners accepted a $10,000 grant from the Florida Division of Forestry on behalf of Chiefland Fire Rescue. The grant requires the city to match half of the funds. The grant will be used to purchase fire equipment.
The board also gave Harris permission to apply for a Firehouse Subs grant to purchase equipment to extricate accident victims from their wrecked cars. The grant is for $34,000.
In a final matter, Commissioner Lewrissa Johns suggested naming NW 12th Drive after civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King. The city has talked about naming a street after King for many years.
Commissioner Lance Hayes offered an alternate street to honor King. He wants to name SW 2nd Street for King. The street runs from County Road 345 to State Road 320.
His recommendation will be brought back to the next commission meeting for approval.
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City of Chiefland Regular Meeting January; Posted January 13, 2022
