Alachua County Land Conservation Board Meeting

[sdenney]

I just found out about this today, but the Alachua County Land Conservation Board will be meeting today (11/16) at 5:30pm to discuss the purchase of the surrounding properties adjacent to Mill Creek Sink (aka Alachua Sink) as well as the purchase of a Conservation Easement on the NSS property that contains the majority of the Sink (a part of the sink resides in an adjoining property).

The board room is rather small, so hordes of people will not be able to attend, however if a few influential members of the cave diving community can speak on behalf of the cave and hopefully a representative of the NSS-CDS can speak as well, that would be great.

The meeting will be held at:

Environmental Protection Department, Conference Room A
408 West University Avenue, Suite 106. Seagle Building, Gainesville.

http://www.alachuacounty.us/depts/ep...tionboard.aspx

--- Sean Denney

[sdenney]

So, some good and not so good came out of the meeting. The good news is the Conservation Easement for the NSS property that includes the Mill Creek Sink and Swallet has been approved for the Priority Pool. In addition to that, the purchase of four small pieces of property have been approved for the Priority Pool. These properties are those behind Waffle House, Sonny's, and the parcel directly to the east of the NSS property.

The not so good news is that the City of Alachua has gotten involved in the purchase process of the remaining Megahee parcels encompassing the Mill Creek Watershed. They wish to develop the eastern portion of said property: commercial along 441 and mixed residential behind that. However, those remaining properties have yet to be decided upon due to the funding partnership between FDOT, SRWMD, and the Land Conservation Board (Alachua Co.). The SRWMD funding is contingent upon the input of the City of Alachua, unfortunately.

[Sly-vester]

So, some good and not so good came out of the meeting. The good news is the Conservation Easement for the NSS property that includes the Mill Creek Sink and Swallet has been approved for the Priority Pool. In addition to that, the purchase of four small pieces of property have been approved for the Priority Pool. These properties are those behind Waffle House, Sonny's, and the parcel directly to the east of the NSS property.

The not so good news is that the City of Alachua has gotten involved in the purchase process of the remaining Megahee parcels encompassing the Mill Creek Watershed. They wish to develop the eastern portion of said property: commercial along 441 and mixed residential behind that. However, those remaining properties have yet to be decided upon due to the funding partnership between FDOT, SRWMD, and the Land Conservation Board (Alachua Co.). The SRWMD funding is contingent upon the input of the City of Alachua, unfortunately.

Yes!

[Jack Hammer]

Thank you Sean!

- Jeff

[Sly-vester]

Thanks Sean for going to the meeting. Sean pretty much summed it up. This is the result of a lot of hard work and much of it was set by precedent in the legal action against the City of Alachua and the Wal-Mart development. They had underestimated our ability to organize, raise funds, and our willingness to go to court. I feel they saw the wisdom in not developing parcels within 400' of the preserve. There are a lot of people and many institutions that helped out here, some don't wish to be named, and I will respect that. You know who you are, thank you. There is still much to be done the City of Alachua as Sean mentioned wants to develop the upland pine area for residential. I feel that they are probably not too interested in the flood plane that feeds the watershed. The next phase will be raise matching funds and grants for a bigger section of land. Thanks to all who got involved. This is a win and you should be very proud.

[Sly-vester]

Hopefully, I will have some highlighted maps to share soon.

[MichaelAngelo]

Thanks Sean for going to the meeting. Sean pretty much summed it up. This is the result of a lot of hard work and much of it was set by precedent in the legal action against the City of Alachua and the Wal-Mart development. They had underestimated our ability to organize, raise funds, and our willingness to go to court. I feel they saw the wisdom in not developing parcels within 400' of the preserve. There are a lot of people and many institutions that helped out here, some don't wish to be named, and I will respect that. You know who you are, thank you. There is still much to be done the City of Alachua as Sean mentioned wants to develop the upland pine area for residential. I feel that they are probably not too interested in the flood plane that feeds the watershed. The next phase will be raise matching funds and grants for a bigger section of land. Thanks to all who got involved. This is a win and you should be very proud.

thank you Sean for making the meeting and thank you TJ for all the work you do. For those who don't know TJ has been on top of the Alachua Sink/Walmart saga for a few years now. He was point is getting the settlement that kept Walmart out from being directly over the system then working with the proper authorities for the above purchases. He has put a lot of time and energy into protecting the sink. Again thank you TJ

[Jack Hammer]

Thank You TJ!

- Jeff