Welaunee was targeted for urban development many years ago. In 1990, the City of Tallahassee entered into an Urban Services-Development Agreement with family-owned Powerhouse, Inc., to provide water, sewer, electricity and similar urban services for community develoment at Welaunee. That agreement was amended in 2005 to bring it up to date as active development gets underway.

In 1990, the Tallahassee-Leon County Comprehensive Plan confirmed the future of Welaunee by placing most of the property inside the Urban Services Area and in a mixed-use land development category. The plan also designated Welaunee as a "Critical Planning Area," meaning it must undergo detailed studies to determine where specific residential, retail, office, open space and other land uses will be located. The purpose of the requirement is to plan this strategic landholding in a comprehensive manner, providing for a mix of uses that can be mostly self-supporting, protecting environmentally sensitive features and placing greater emphasis on pedestrian accessibility and transportation alternatives that reduce automobile dependence.

In 2000, Powerhouse management, commenced the critical planning process for two portions of Welaunee, referred to as the Toe and the Heel and each consisting of approximately 1,000 acres. The centerpiece of this planning process was an active public engagement program. The family formed a Community Advisory Group of 23 citizens who are active in the community and knowledgeable about community issues. In addition, the public outreach program included presentations to neighborhood and civic groups, this website, and two open houses where members of the planning team displayed emerging land plans, answered questions and solicited opinions from the citizens of Tallahassee and Leon County.

In January 2002, Welaunee proposed a Critical Area Plan for the Toe and the Heel. The Tallahassee City Commission and Leon County Commission transmitted the proposal to the Florida Department of Community Affairs, resulting in only one substantive objection, and granted final approval to the plans on September 24, 2002. Final State approval was granted on December 10, 2002. The Critical Area Plan now guides community development on the “Toe” and “Heel.”

    

The Toe, the Heel and the Arch

For ease of reference, the owners and the planning team have adopted a way of referring to parts of the Welaunee property that reflects its resemblance to the shape of a boot. The Toe and Heel are the southernmost parts of the property.

The Toe is located south of I-10. The Heel is located between US 90 and Miccosukee Road. The remainder, called the "Arch", is not expected to be developed until some time in the distant future, and it is the part of the property on which the family will continue to reside.