Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The public is invited to attend a series of workshops this spring to discuss draft amendments to the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan based on recommendations adopted in the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR). Since the Board of County Commissioners adopted the EAR last year, staff has worked to prepare draft policy amendments addressing the recommendations in the EAR with input from several County Advisory Boards.

Drafts of the amendments as they are posted, as well as information on the overall timeline and upcoming meeting schedule can be found on the EAR website:  www.alachuacounty.us/ear.

The following are  public workshop dates for discussion of draft amendments: 

• Wednesday, March 31^st   4 p.m. - Grace Knight Conference Room - 12 SE 1^st St., Gainesville (Topics are Energy Element, Community Health Element,  Agriculture and Local Food Systems, Air Quality, Recreation Level of Service and related topics)*  
• Monday, April 12^th 4 p.m.  - Grace Knight Conference Room - 12 SE 1^st St., Gainesville  (Topics are Economic Element, Industrial and Office Land Uses, Sustainable Economic Development in East Gainesville,  Accessory Dwelling Units, Water Resource Protection, Water and Sewer Connection Policies, Ecological Corridors Map and related topics)*
• On Wednesday, April 21^st, 6 p., the Local Planning Agency (Planning Commission) will be given an overview of the EAR Related Amendments and upcoming meetings and process. (Jack Durrance Auditorium, 12 SE 1^st Street, Gainesville)
• Thursday, April 22^nd  6 p.m. -  Alachua County Health Department - 224 SE 24^th Street, Gainesville (Topics are Economic Element, Industrial and Office Land Uses, Sustainable Economic Development in East Gainesville, Community Health Element, Cross Creek and Idylwild/Serenola Listed Species, and related topics)*
•  Monday, April 26^th 6 p.m. - Millhopper Library - 3145 NW 43^rd Street, Gainesville (Topics are Energy Element, Air Quality Policies, Agriculture and Local Food Systems, Accessory Dwelling Units, Water Resource Protection, Ecological Corridors Map, Industrial and Office Land Uses, and related topics)*
• Tuesday, May 4^th 6 p.m. � Town of Tioga Community Center  - 105 SW 128^th St., Newberry (Topics are Energy Element, Community Health Element, Economic Element, Industrial and Office Land Uses, Recreation, Activity Center Policies, and related topics)*
• Monday, May 10^th 6 p.m .� Alachua Branch Library - 14913 NW 140^th Street, Alachua (Topics are Energy Element, Agriculture and Local Food Systems, Water Resource Protection policies and related topics)*

*See website for additional meetings and additions/changes to meeting topics, times and locations.

 The next steps of the process will include joint workshops with the Board of County Commissioners and the Local Planning Agency in May and June, with public hearings to transmit the amendments to the Florida Department of Community Affairs planned for later this summer and fall. Ultimately, final adoption of the amendments is anticipated in April 2011.

Written comments on drafts may be submitted to ear@alachuacounty.us. Staff is also available to meet with groups or individuals in person or discuss the process and any amendments over the phone by calling 352-374-5249.