TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The latest map proposed by Leon County planners would block the expansion of utilities to much of the Lake Jackson area.
That’s a reversal from the previous recommendation, passed by the Leon County Commission, which did expand the Urban Services Area.
Commissioner Rick Minor said expanding the USA could’ve led to the creation of a 10,000-home subdivision, which requires centralized sewer and water. The City of Tallahassee previously voted to expand the services area in order to offer its utilities.
But if the county votes no, the USA will shrink back to its current boundaries.
“Not just the community, which is very important, but also the state DEP expressed concerns about these proposed changes,” Minor said. “And, so happy to say that those changes are being walked back.”
The president of the Friends of Lake Jackson, Sophie Wacogne-Speer, said this is a win for those concerned about the lake.
“I want to congratulate the planning staff for their willingness to listen and consider and do the right reviews and reach the right conclusion,” Wacogne-Speer said.
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But she noted the overall “comprehensive plan,” a type of land-use constitution, still allows for greater density and intensity of homes near the lake.
“In general, sewer connection is a better thing for the environment, but when you have so many homes in a new area that’s going to affect the water body,” Minor said.
Urban planners say the Tallahassee area needs 23,000 new homes by 2050, as the area can expect a population growth of 30,000 people.
That’s led to both the city and the county considering changes to their comp plan to enact “smart growth” by encouraging development in downtown areas and some expansion into rural areas.
“We should not have come to this point,” Minor said. “We should have had a thorough discussion about what these proposed changes were to be before transmission.”
The County Commission will officially vote on backtracking next Tuesday with a commission meeting at 4 p.m. and a public hearing at 6 p.m.
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