DOWNTOWN TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) \u2014 A dispute over unfinished roads in Southwood dominated the Tallahassee City Commission meeting, with neighbors urging commissioners to stop waiting and force a resolution.<\/p>\n
WATCH FULL REPORT BELOW:<\/p>\n
Southwood road dispute dominates Tallahassee City Commission meeting Thursday<\/p>\n
Commissioners approved moving forward with emergency repairs and paving by the city’s Public Works Department and billing the owners for the repairs.<\/p>\n
However, there is a catch. The road runs through private property, so the owners, NextGen Family Group, will have to grant the city access before crews can get to work.<\/p>\n
Commissioners also approved starting eminent domain proceedings to try to acquire the right-of-way needed to build the Orange Avenue extension. The city would then work with the St. Joe Company to get that road built.<\/p>\n
The city says required deadlines for road projects in Southwood were missed and issued notices of violation to St. Joe and NextGen earlier this month.<\/p>\n
St. Joe’s attorney told commissioners the company cannot build the Orange Avenue extension because it does not own the required right-of-way. The company’s position is that it unintentionally transferred that land to NextGen.<\/p>\n
Gary Hunter, St. Joe’s attorney, said:<\/p>\n
“Saint Joe doesn’t own the land under which Orange Avenue extension currently sits. Saint Joe’s position is: we didn’t intend to sell them all of the land that issue there. Saint Joe has acted in every sense in every effort in working with the city through this.”<\/p>\n
Southwood neighbors had a different message. Some asked commissioners to sanction the developers, enforce the development order, and stop future development until the road is finished. Others called the condition of the road a safety issue and asked the city to fix it and bill St. Joe.<\/p>\n
“Please don’t allow Saint Joe to transfer any of their developments to any other builder in order to avoid sanction,” one Southwood neighbor said.<\/p>\n
“I had to pull over to make sure that this school bus going to Connolly at a place to drive safely,” another neighbor said.<\/p>\n
Without public objection, commissioners also approved moving forward with the annexation of 3 parcels near Capital Circle Southeast and Tram Road.<\/p>\n
In a written statement sent to ABC27, Commissioner David O’Keefe wrote in part:<\/p>\n
“The County objected to this annexation because it does not meet the requirements\u2026All annexations should be held to the same rules. Not go around one local government to the other.”<\/p>\n
Commissioners will also move forward with the 3 finalists for city manager after some questioned whether additional candidates should be considered.<\/p>\n
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.<\/p>\n
Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website. <\/a><\/p>\n Stay in touch with us anywhere, anytime.<\/p>\n Like us on Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n Follow us on Instagram <\/a>and X.<\/a><\/p>\n