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Independent Reporting · Palm Coast, Florida
Westward Expansion Investigation  ·  Exclusive

Westward Expansion: Raydient Returns

Palm Coast Storylines has obtained a letter asking the city to restart the Future Land Use Map amendment and the annexations tied to it — the same items that died on the table weeks earlier.


The Letter, Summarized

On September 8, Raydient’s Mike Hahaj emailed the city manager and city attorney, copying the mayor, vice mayor, and three council members. He says he’s been approached about “economic development opportunities” since Raydient withdrew its application in August, and he gives landowner consent to restart two things: the Future Land Use Map amendment, and the three annexations tied to it.

Not on that list: the zoning and development agreement, the piece that actually makes the MPD a project instead of just a land designation. Hahaj asks to bring back the map change and the annexations. He does not ask to bring back the development itself.

What Moves Forward, If This Goes Through

Not included: G.5, the MPD zoning and development agreement.

Item G.1 — City Council Agenda, August 4, 2026
Annexation, Approximately 440 Acres

Passed 3-2, first reading only, conditioned on the FLUM amendment also passing.

Item G.2 — City Council Agenda, August 4, 2026
Annexation, Approximately 6,601 Acres

Same vote, same condition, same first-reading-only status.

Item G.3 — City Council Agenda, August 4, 2026
Annexation, City-Owned 1.9 Acres

The small parcel needed to avoid creating an enclave. Same condition.

Item G.4 — City Council Agenda, August 4, 2026
Future Land Use Map Amendment, Approximately 20,144 Acres

Recommended for denial by the planning board. Never got a first-reading vote — tabled 5-0 before Raydient withdrew.

Full Record — City of Palm Coast
August 4, 2026 City Council Agenda Packet

The complete official packet, as posted by the city.

The Letter, In Full

Westward Expansion – Economic Development  ·  September 8, 2026

From: Mike Hahaj, Raydient Places and Properties, Director of Commercial Development and Operations
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 3:38 PM
To: Mike McGlothlin, MBA-PA <MMcGlothlin@palmcoastgov.com>; Marcus Duffy <MDuffy@palmcoastgov.com>
Cc: Michael D. Chiumento III (cc’d via a personal email address); Ty Miller <TMiller@palmcoastgov.com>; Charles A. Gambaro, Jr. <CGambaro@palmcoastgov.com>; David Sullivan <DSullivan@palmcoastgov.com>; Theresa Carli Pontieri <TCarliPontieri@palmcoastgov.com>; Mike Norris <MNorris@palmcoastgov.com>; Staci M. Rewis, Driver McAfee
Subject: Westward Expansion - Economic Development

Mike and Marcus,

I trust you are well and had a good Labor Day Weekend.

I’ve been contacted by a handful of folks to help with certain economic development opportunities given Raydient’s withdrawal of the MPD.

In order to help facilitate continued discussions with the various groups, please accept this email as landowner consent to move forward with the City’s Application of the Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the FLUM update, as well as Raydient’s consent to move forward with the annexations, subject to the concurrent approval and adoption of the comp plan amendment.

I’m happy to jump on a call to discuss more specifically with respect to timing and address any other items Raydient may need to consider.

Best regards,
Mike

Mike Hahaj
Raydient Places and Properties
Director of Commercial Development and Operations


What does this all mean? Stay tuned.