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Political Advertisement paid for and approved by Howard Kessler, No Party Affiliation, for County Commissioner, District 3 Do you want a Crawfordville center that feels like a town; a Crawfordville that enables your to park your car once and visit multiple businesses? Or, would you rather have Crawfordville develop as one continuous strip-mall? A strip mall that extends from south of the Courthouse north to Bloxham Cutoff? An area where you would have to enter Highway 319 traffic multiple times? In other words, do you want our County´s traffic flow, attractiveness, environment quality, etc. to improve or deteriorate as we grow? Yes, we all want better growth. That is not what the Board of County Commissioners will be considering at their next October 19 meeting. In fact they are considering setting back the clock by not hours but decades. Let’s follow this bouncing ball and see where it lands. First, about a decade ago, a subdivision was created and zoned to contain a mixed-use residential community in “downtown” Crawfordville. The subdivision was planned to contain residential as well as commercial zoning. This would encourage a walkable community where residents would be able to be near 20 commercial lots that are located in back of current businesses such as Ace hardware, Amazing Mail Solutions, Myra Jean’s Restaurant, etc. Fast -forward to 2005: Θ In 2005 Camelot IV Inc. buys 17 of the 20 lots now being petitioned for rezoning from commercial to residential. Θ In 2009 Camelot IV Inc. deeds these 17 lots to the Wakulla Bank. Θ On July 15, 2011 a company called TFB buys these 17 lots zoned commercial. Θ On July 28, 2011, less than two weeks after purchase, TFB Company petitions to rezone these 17 lots from commercial to residential. Θ At the same time Beth Taff, as Trustee of the Oleta Lawhon Family Trust, petitions to rezone the other three lots from commercial to residential. Θ On September 12, 2011 these petitions came in front of the County’s Planning and Zoning Board and they unanimously voted to turn down these petitions. Θ On October 3rd, these petitions reached the Board of County Commissioners where the majority of the Commissioners appeared eager to overturn our Planning and Zoning Board by adding buffers between the existing commercial and proposed residential properties. Θ At the October 3rd meeting our County Attorney cautioned against proceeding with an affirmative vote without there being time to review the legal ramifications of adding buffers. Θ´´´ Our Commissioners voted to continue this item to its October 17th meeting. The existing zoning on these lots is exactly what good downtown planning is all about. It is what is advocated in the Crawfordville Town Center Vision and is what our Chamber of Commerce, CCOW and many other groups advocate. This type of development has wide support. What our County Commissioners are now considering, changing the zoning of 20 commercial lots to residential, goes against all the efforts that are meant to bring good and efficient development to our downtown area. Why do our Commissioners appear so eager to approve this rezoning? That is the million-dollar question. Local businesses oppose this zoning change (Ace hardware, Myra Jean’s, Bush Fire Services, Inc., Florida Sun Termite, Wakulla Realty, Kevin Machine, Rascal Auto Sales, Engines Unlimited, Amazing Mail Solutions, Stan’s Barber Shop, Complete Automotive Repair Service and Easy Mail). It is opposed by property owners of the existing adjoining commercial lots (Gary and Trudy Lott). It is opposed by concerned citizens (Ernie Joworski, Chris Wilson, Robert Grose, and Gwein Haskins), as well as other business people. In addition to poor planning, this proposed rezoning change is an affront to all the present homeowners who have seen their property values decline. Presently, there are 450 to 500 homes on the market in our County. Our County’s Needs Analysis states we don’t need more residential lots but states we do need more commercial lots. If the proposed rezoning is approved it will reduce the taxable value of the land and take money off the tax roles, as pointed out by our County’s Tax Collector, Cheryl Olah. This could place an additional burden on the average citizen by necessitating higher property taxes on their homes to make up for lost revenue. Our County’s Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously against this proposal. So, why is our County Commission even considering going in such a wrong direction? Can you imagine the additional negative impact of rezoning to allow up to 10 residences per acre? Certainly, the purchasers of the 17 lots knew that they were zoned commercial when they negotiated a purchase price. And, if approved, without doubt, our County is setting up future conflicts between present existing businesses and future homeowners. Conflicts, some future County Commission will have to address. This proposed zoning change would set the clock back for decades. Our County taxpayers deserve a well planned downtown Crawfordville. This change needs to be denied. Let your voice he heard. Howard Kessler, Chairman CCOW |