Media Release

Alachua County Staff Report on Plum Creek Application

Friday, August 29, 2014 2:45 PM

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – Alachua County has released the “Workshop Staff Report” (click the link to view the report PDF) for Plum Creek’s proposed “Envision Alachua Sector Plan.”  If approved, the sector plan would allow a major development consisting of 10,500 residential units and 15.5 million square feet of non-residential development in the eastern area of the county.  Currently, the area is designated for Rural/Agricultural use.  An overview of the 137 page Workshop Staff Report can be found in the Summary of Staff Analysis at the beginning of the report. 

The staff recommendation in the preliminary report is for denial of the application based on the policies of the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan.   Key concerns include the suitability of the location of the development, potential impacts to natural resources and infrastructure demands including transportation, water/ sewer, schools, and other public services.  

The Workshop Staff Report is being released now so that the public can consider both it and the Envision Alachua Sector Plan in advance of the public workshops beginning on September 2, 2014.  After the workshops, staff will consider public comments and additional information concerning the application as they prepare for the final report that will be presented at the Public Hearings held by the Alachua County Commission.

The following workshop dates have been set:

1.    September 2, 2014 - 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Hawthorne High School auditorium, 21403 SE 69th Avenue in Hawthorne, Fla.  Topic: General Overview

2.    September 4, 2014 - 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Eastside High School auditorium, 1201 SE 43rd Street in East Gainesville, Fla.   Topic: General Overview

3.    September 16, 2014 - 5 p.m. at the Alachua County Administration Building located at 12 SE 1st Street in Downtown Gainesville, Fla. second floor, room 209, Topic: Natural Resources.

4.    September 22, 2014, - 5 p.m. at the Alachua County Administration Building located at 12 SE 1st Street in Downtown Gainesville, Fla. second floor, room 209. Topic: Transportation / Economic Development

At the workshops, Alachua County staff will make a presentation regarding the current status of the project and the Workshop Staff Report. At the first two workshops staff will listen to questions and comments.  The second two workshops will include the staff response to the questions and comments received at the first two workshops. 

For further information please contact the Alachua County Planning Department at 352-374-5249.

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Contact

If you have a disability and need an accommodation in order to participate in a County program, service or public meeting, please contact the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office at 352-374-5275 at least 2 business days prior to the event. TTY users please call 711 (Florida Relay Service).

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