Leon County Sees Notable Decline in New Home Permits

News Summary

Leon County has reported a surprising decrease in single-family home construction permits, issuing only 29 in December 2024, a 14.7% decline from the previous year. This trend follows a 40% drop in November. Interestingly, the total value of these permits increased to $8.7 million, indicating an unusual market dynamic. Additionally, environmentalists are challenging new drilling permits along the Apalachicola River, and discussions are underway for a redevelopment project for student housing near the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More.

Leon County Sees Drop in New Home Permits

In a surprising turn of events, Leon County has reported a noticeable decrease in single-family new construction permits for December 2024. Just as the holiday season was wrapping up, officials announced that only 29 new permits were issued in December, marking a decrease of a striking 14.7% compared to December 2023 when there were 34 permits issued. This trend follows another significant decline in November, where permits dropped a staggering 40.0% from 55 the previous year, with only 33 permits granted.

Permit Value Sees an Increase

Interestingly, even with the number of permits decreasing, the value of those permits has gone up. The total value for December 2024 was pegged at $8.7 million, a solid 16.0% rise from the $7.5 million in December 2023. This presents an interesting dynamic in the construction landscape. Analyzing a three-month average, from October to December, the sharp decline is undeniable, showing a 31.1% drop in new permits compared to the same time frame last year. Similarly, the average permit value saw a decrease from $12.9 million in December 2023 to $9.8 million in December 2024, which is a 24.0% decline.

Environmental and Development Updates

On another front, the Department of Environmental Protection has recently issued five-year extensions for permits allowing Clearwater Land & Minerals to operate a wildcat oil rig along the scenic Apalachicola River. These permits allow for drilling through a lime rock pad in central Calhoun County, situated about 60 miles west of Tallahassee. These newly renewed permits focus on the construction of pads for proposed wells along with necessary access roads and stormwater management systems. The project comes after Cholla Petroleum abandoned similar efforts back in 2019.

Nevertheless, environmentalists are not taking this lightly and have raised an administrative challenge against the revival of the Cholla project. This challenge could bring delays to operations that are expected to last until December 2029, reflecting growing tensions between economic pursuits and environmental conservation.

Exciting Developments in Student Housing

In community developments, discussions are underway for a potential redevelopment project near the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More. This plan aims to introduce student housing along with various amenities and retail space, a move expected to greatly benefit local students and residents alike. Preliminary documents regarding the permit show that the project would cover four parcels totaling 8 acres, proposing features such as a clubhouse, townhomes, and structured parking.

While interest grows, the finalized scope and execution of this exciting project remain up in the air. At this stage, no commitments have been made by either the church or the developers, leaving the community eager to find out what will unfold in the coming months.

What’s Next for Leon County?

With the construction landscape facing challenges and new projects on the horizon, Leon County residents are encouraged to stay informed. Whether it’s changes in permit availability or exciting new developments, there is always something happening in this vibrant community. Keep an eye out for local updates as Leon County navigates through these transitional times, both in terms of construction and community development.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Leon County Construction Permits Decline in December 2024
Tallahassee’s Illegal Gambling Bust: Ten Arrested and Machines Confiscated
Leon County’s Job Market Hits a Rough Patch
Tallahassee Experiences 40% Drop in New Construction Permits for November 2024

Additional Resources

• Tallahassee Reports: Leon County Single Family Permits Down 14% in December
• Wikipedia: Leon County, Florida
• Tallahassee.com: DeSantis DEP OKs Extensions for Oil Drilling Permits in North Florida
• Google Search: Leon County construction permits
• Tallahassee Reports: Construction Permits Down in September
• Google Scholar: construction permits Florida
• Tallahassee.com: Permits for Student Housing Proposed near Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Student Housing
• Tallahassee Reports: November SFR Construction Permits Down 40%
• Google News: Leon County news