The Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) recently heard an initial request for a large-scale development on 4000+ acres known as the Lee Property. Much of this property, which spans both sides of Parker Road west of Haile and east of the City of Newberry, is in a designated Strategic Ecosystem called the Hickory Sink. It is an important aquifer recharge area, has environmentally sensitive features, and is important habitat for many imperiled plants and animals.

LWVAC is asking the BoCC to reject this initial request, called a Special Area Study, until all efforts to secure funding for preserving the entire property are exhausted. If no effort is made to secure this funding, then LWVAC will oppose the project.

You can read a more detailed  LWV of Alachua County position and get more background on the Alachua County website.

Another meeting about this development plan was originally scheduled on Oct 11th; however, the applicant has requested a delay in the process. We expect it to come back before the commission sometime in early 2023.

In the meantime, please contact the commissioners to let them know what you think about this proposal. A sample letter is available.