Residents Asked To Rally Against Yet Another Development Along 315
Commissioners To Consider Rezoning Rural Land Today
“We’re only asking that growth is managed in a reasonable and responsible manner. Clay a great place and we need to work to keep it that way.”—George Goodrich
Clay County commissioners today will consider opening up another rural property to development. Opponents of the zoning change want residents to show up at the meeting today at 4 p.m. (with a certain time of 5 p.m.) to voice their opposition.
The vote today is to change zoning so the developers can build 214 homes in a Planned Unit Development (PUD) from the corner of County Road 315 and 315A and extend all the way south to Knowles Road. Current zoning is one home per five acres, but the proposed zoning is eight homes per acre.
Opponents say the development would significantly increase traffic in the area that is already congested with the small two-laned rural roads. They bemoan the fact that taxpayers will then be expected to pay for the extensive re-work on the roads.
The area in the center of the rural PUD appears to have language that suggests there will be a commercial area built, which will further increase traffic and put more burden on the already insufficient roads and infrastructure.
Opponents are also citing safety concerns over the new entrances that the development would require in the midst of regular truck traffic to the Rosemary Hill Landfill on 315. The plans have no turn lanes included, except one at CR 315 and State Road 16, which does not address the intersection of 315 and 315A. Significantly, no traffic studies have been provided.
Plans for the PUD provide only a very small recreation area for humans and none for our four-legged friends.
Opponents charge that the development will destroy the habitats of some of the most significant wildlife in Florida as there are no conservation or wildlife corridors proposed. The community is the home to white-tailed deer, gopher tortoises (protected), turkeys, bobcats, and the occasion bear.
There are also extensive wetlands on the property, which don’t appear to be protected or mitigated, according to opponents.
Numerous functioning family farms operate within the area, a fact the developers’ initial application “misstated” until the Planning Commission pointed it out. Even the Planning Commission has reservations about the development. They have pointed out the development was “isolated” and “offered no connectivity.”
George Goodrich is the third-generation farmer who lives adjacent to the proposed development. He has donkeys, chickens and of course a Zebra. Goodrich is not only concerned for his way of life, but for the potential of severe flooding. He said County Road 315A was built up and is essentially a dam to the waterflow from Knowles Road. He said proposed drainage area is grossly inadequate and with heavy rainfall, Goodrich farm, home and nearby neighboring areas will have substantial flooding.
Goodrich said he and his neighbors are not opposed to development in general.
“We just want sustainable development that delivers a good quality of life to current and future residents.” Goodrich said. “We’re only asking that growth is managed in a reasonable and responsible manner. Clay is a great place, and we need to work to keep it that way.”
Residents are urged to contact their district commissioner by emailing:
Kristen.Burke@claycountygov.com or calling (904) 269-6384 or (904) 671-3511 (cellular).
Alexandra.Compere@claycountygov.com, (904) 529-2791 Cell: (904) 501-2826
Jim.Renninger@claycountygov.com, (904) 269-6393 Cell: (904) 657-1594
Betsy.Condon@claycountygov.com, (904) 269-6385 Cell: (904) 615-7284
Mike.Cella@claycountygov.com. (904) 269-6394 Cell: (904) 234-4630