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Updated: 09/20/2006
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
FDOT held three Public Workshops spanning late August and early September to
announce that they had selected the St. Johns and Clay County’s endorsed PINK
Route as the preferred FDOT Route for the Outer Beltway. This route does not
impact the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area. Again, we “Thank you” for
your support in making the preservation of the Black Creek Ravines Conservation
Area possible. For details, please access the FDOT website listed under
“Links”.
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Discussion continues on when to seek legislation creating a Clay County
Transportation/Highway Authority. We have asked repeatedly asked that any
proposed legislative language include protection for the Black Creek Ravines
Conservation Area from any future roads. We must remember that any road through
the Conservation Area could render it non-conservable by St. John’s River Water
Management. Please remain vigilant and attend future Transportation Advisory
Committee Meetings. These TAC meetings are traditionally held in the Orange Park
City Hall the first Wednesday of each month at 4:00 PM. The County Calendar can
be accessed on the Clay County Government website.
LAKE ASBURY MASTER PLAN
If approved by the Clay County Board of Commissioners, the
Lake Asbury Master Plan identifies clearly the environmental and recreational
importance of the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area and sets a higher
standard for developments within Lake Asbury.
The Clay County Board of County Commissioners has voted to
extend the Lake Asbury Building Moratorium until October 31, 2006. We have been
told that the Department of Community Affairs will most likely approve and
return the plan late September or early October. The Plan will then go before
the BCC for final approval. This pending Plan recognizes the environmental and
recreational importance of the Black Ravines Conservation Area. It also removes
any reference of any future road through the Conservation Area from all County
Maps and the Plan itself.
We have recently heard rumors
that some are considering abandoning the Lake Asbury Master Plan in favor of
large Developments of Regional Impact such as Saratoga Springs. This would
provide NO assured protection to the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area. In
addition, the Lake Asbury Master plan provides for significant upland buffers as
well as a Greenway around Lake Asbury. Without the Lake Asbury Master Plan,
DRI’s would not provide the extensive protection of these natural resources. We
must also remember that the LAMP has been in process for 6 years at great
expense to the taxpayers of Clay County.
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Why, would the County elect NOW to walk away and disregard the
wishes of the people of Lake Asbury?
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Why would they choose to waste Taxpayer Money? Initially the
County paid Prosser Hallock a large sum of money to help formulate this plan.
Since then it was enhanced by many hours of work by paid staff, mediators,
consultants, attorneys and the citizens of Lake Asbury.
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Why trade this knowledge, research and visioning for the
uncertainty of piecemeal planning?
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Why would the residents of Lake Asbury again wish to start over by
monitoring each proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Development of
Regional Impact (DRI ) with no guarantee of the higher environmental,
developmental, and design standards set forth in the Lake Asbury Master Plan?
We would have to ask ourselves if we would have the knowledge, time and ability
to attend, monitor and make our voices heard for years to come, in order to
protect our interests.
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PLEASE write and call ALL of the Clay County Commissioners
ASAP. (See LINKS on this website) Tell them to vote YES for the settlement and
final adoption of the Lake Asbury Master Plan in October.
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Critical Issues
