Media Release

May 14, 2009

4:45 p.m.

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Local Planning Agency Public Hearing: Evaluation and Appraisal Report on the County's Comprehensive Plan, 2001-2020

The public is invited to attend a public hearing of the Local Planning Agency (LPA) on the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. The meeting will be held at the Jack Durrance Auditorium, Room 209 of the County Administration Building (12 SE 1st Street, Gainesville) and will begin at 6 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting is for the Planning Commission, serving as the Local Planning Agency, to make recommendations to the County Commission on the Evaluation and Appraisal Report on the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan 2001-2020.  The EAR contains recommendations for update of the Comprehensive Plan that will be translated into specific amendments to be considered in 2010. The recommendations contained in the report are a culmination of input from the public, County advisory boards, and other local groups, as well as discussion and input by the LPA and the County Commission at a series of joint special meetings held in February and March of this year. The Alachua County Planning Commission, serving as the Local Planning Agency, is required to prepare the EAR and make recommendations pursuant to Florida Statutes, to the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners on adoption of the EAR. It is anticipated the County Commission will consider adoption of the EAR later this summer.

The LPA hearing agenda, draft EAR document, and all other related information are posted on the County's EAR website at http://www.alachuacounty.us/ear.

For more information, please call the Growth Management Department at 352-374-5249 or send an email to ear@alachuacounty.us.