September 16

Town Hall Meeting – Hosted by County Commissioner, Harold Rutledge

Discussion held on Growth in Clay County , Lake Asbury Master Plan, and Outer Beltway

August 29, 31 and September 7

Florida Department of Transportation held Public Workshops identifying their preferred route for the Outer Beltway.

August 21, 2006

Secretary Denver Stutler, Jr., Secretary of FDOT held a meeting at the Clay County Administration Building to discuss road projects and the Outer Beltway for Clay County. Please note that at this meeting, there were still advocates seeking to place the Outer Beltway through the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area. He relayed that it was his understanding that they are “avoiding the Ravines.”

August 8, 2006

The BCC held a public hearing on the Lake Asbury Land Development Regulations.

August 1, 2006

The Clay County Planning Commission approved the Lake Asbury Land Development Regulations.

July 2006

Lake Asbury Building Moratorium extended until October 31, 2006. The Lake Asbury Master Plan had been sent back to the Department of Community Affairs for a final approval.

June 7, 2006

Transportation Advisory Committee presented proposed legislation to form Clay County Transportation/Highway Authority. A vote was not taken but proposed language would protect the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area from the power of eminent domain. A vote is scheduled on this verbiage in August.

June 6, 2006

The proposed land use amendment change to the Ravines Golf Resort was again presented to the Planning Commission even though the Ravines Golf course, pool and clubhouse had been closed and listed for sale by the owners on June 4. The public was also made aware at this meeting that the mediation between the County and the Jacksonville Golf and Learning Center had failed. The Planning Commission voted 4 to 3 to approve the land use change as long as a full access gate was built on Green Road. The previous vote of the Planning Commission in November of 2005 was 5 to 0. 

May 23, 2006

Land use changes within the Lake Asbury plan were tabled until June.

May 10, 2006

The second mediation meeting between the Jacksonville Golf and Learning Center and the opponents from Green Road and the Ravines Golf Resort was held. Proposals were sent back to the Planning Department for approval. As it stands now, there is no proposed new access or egress from the Ravines Resort on to Green Road.

May 2, 2006

The Planning Commission voted to deny requests by some developers/landowners to change the Land Use of properties located in Lake Asbury prior to the completion of mediation regarding the Lake Asbury Master Plan.

April 10, 2006

The first mediation meeting between the Jacksonville Golf and Learning Center and the opponents from Green Road and the Ravines Golf Resort was held with no significant progress made.

March 27, 2006

The first Public Hearing on the proposed Clay County Transit/Transportation/Highway Authority was held.

March 19, 2006

The Clay County Web Site provides access to the proposed final Transportation Authority Report and publishes notice of public hearing on March 27^th at 7:00PM

March 18, 2006

The St. Jude’s Charity Ride was held at the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area. See the Home Page for the complete story.

Pictures of the event are under Links and Photos. 

March 14, 2006

After much public comment, the Board of County Commissioners voted to endorse the pink route as depicted on the official FDOT web site. The copy of the county map that was obtained at this meeting is signed and dated. The route depicted on the map and voted on at this meeting. does not go through the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area.

March 14, 2006

John Tabor, chair of the Transportation Advisory Committee, withdrew the report of the Transportation Advisory on a Transportation Authority citing the need for a public hearing. The BCC placed the Transportation Authority on their March 28 Agenda at approximately 5:00PM

March 11, 2006

We held a very successful clean up at the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area. A picture is worth a thousand words. Look at the two pictures of Mt. Trashmore.

               March 8, 2006

Transportation Advisory Committee met in Green Cove Springs and announced that they would be seeking vote on the formation of the  Transportation Authority from the Clay County Commissioners at the following Tuesday’s BCC Meeting. (See letter to the editor under “Utilize Your Power” for details of this meeting.)

 March 1, 2006

A seminar was held between the Commissioners, selected staff and the new County Manager. No discussion was held on supporting any particular route for the Outer Beltway.

 February 1, 2006

Transportation Advisory Committee met at Orange Park Town Hall. Time line regarding seeking legislation for the Transportation Authority was requested from participant in audience. The Chair told those present that the deadline had passed as of January 27^th for any action this legislative session.

December 2005/January2006

The county will enter into mediation with the owner of the Ravines Golf Course. Plans are not yet finalized.

November 22, 2005

The owner of the Ravines Golf Resort went before the Board of County Commissioners seeking to alter the Ravines Golf Course and build 60 plus homes along Black Creek. The Commissioners voted 5 to 0 to deny the Comprehensive Plan Amendment which could have also resulted in gate being placed on Green Road to serve the Ravines. This would have greatly added to the traffic on the road that serves the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area. 

November 3, 2005

FDOT held their public workshop at the Clay County Fairgrounds on the proposed corridors for the Outer Beltway. Fortunately, at  this time, there is no corridor through the Conservation Area. Participants were allowed to make written comments or have their comments taken by a court recorder.

October 5, 2005

Representative Jennifer Carroll held a workshop with the new District FDOT Secretary, Mr. Baldwin. Dawyn Boyer took the opportunity to educate Mr. Baldwin over the last year and the desire of some to destroy the Conservation Area.

September 27, 2005

The Clay County Board of County Commissioners by an unanimous vote, gave Thad Crowe, Planning Director for Clay County, the authority to negotiate with the Department of Community Affairs regarding all issues of noncompliance within the Lake Asbury Master Plan. This includes the ability to remove the dotted line from the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area.

September 26, 2005

The Transportation Advisory Committee’s subcommittee on seeking possible legislation to form a Transportation Authority for Clay County met. They reviewed possible functions of such an Authority – public transportation, the building of roads (not limited to the Outer Beltway). 

August 18 or 19, 2005

Representative Jennifer Carroll cancelled her workshop on the Outer Beltway and made all aware that FDOT would be scheduling all future workshops and public meetings. 

August 3, 2005

Six members of our group attended the Transportation Advisory Committee at the Orange Park Town Hall. New Ball Game (same players)!  Please read details under “Critical Issues.”

July 26, 2005

Clay County Board of County Commissioners voted 3 to 2 to put the dotted line back in the Lake Asbury Master Plan; thus depicting a potential beltway route. Please read details under “Critical Issues.”

July 23, 2005

 Several of us attended the Jennifer Carroll Town Hall Meeting at the Fleming Island Library. She announced that she was planning to hold a workshop on the Outer Beltway in mid-August. This meeting was originally scheduled in July but was cancelled.

July 18, 2005

Suzanne Lyda and Dawyn Boyer delivered packets to all members of the Clay Legislative Delegation. The packet contained a letter, a scene from the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area, an e-mail from the Federal Highway Administration and from the former Florida District III Secretary  saying that the road would not go through the Conservation Area, a FDOT comparison of the proposed Pink Corridor for the Outer Beltway and the non-existent Ravines/Power Line route (clearly showing that the phantom Ravines route was more expensive, took out as many homes and was much more environmentally damaging), a report on the Wekiva Springs Parkway, a comparison by Sarah Owen of the Florida Wildlife Federation of Wekiva Springs and the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area and the 2002 ORC report from the Department of Community Affairs that clearly objected to any road placement through an environmental “hot spot” (the Conservation Area). This is the same packet that was given to our Commissioners and the Planning Commission.

July 18, 2005

Suzanne Lyda and Dawyn Boyer met with both Commissioners Rutledge and Fitzgerald to discuss the Lake Asbury Master Plan and the reasons that the dotted line should be removed.

July 12, 2005

A joint workshop was held between the Clay County Board of County Commissioners and the County Planning Board. Many of you were there and spoke in favor of leaving the dotted line OUT of the Lake Asbury Master Plan.  THANK YOU! No vote was taken that night but we gave packets to each Commissioner and Planning Commission Member that detailed why the Dotted Line should be removed from the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area in the Lake Asbury Master Plan.

July 11, 2005

Many of you attended the Lake Asbury Master Plan Workshop at Lake Asbury Elementary School. It was here that we learned that the Clay County Planning Department had removed the dotted line from the Lake Asbury Master Plan and would be recommending to the Board of County Commissioners that they endorse the Pink Outer Beltway Route. As you now know the Commissioners voted 3 to 2 to put the dotted line back in the plan but did not endorse any route for the Outer Beltway.

June 30, 2005

Many of us attended Commissioner Rutledge’s town meeting in Clay Hill.

June 25, 2005

Suzanne Lyda and Dawyn Boyer traveled to Hutchinson Island, Florida to attend the Florida Wildlife Federation Annual Awards Banquet. We received a beautiful award sculpture for being the Land Conservation Organization of the Year. Thank you for making this possible through your support.

June 21, 2005

Citizens to Save Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area met to discuss partnering with SJRWMD and upcoming meetings in July. We welcomed many new members particularly from the Thunder Road Area. They are concerned that the Modified Pink/RGR/Power Line route will place two interchanges off a major highway in their rural community. Welcome Thunder Road. The following officers were chosen: Suzanne Lyda, President, Mary Berning, Vice President and Dawyn Boyer, Secretary/Treasurer.

  June 20, 2005

Dawyn Boyer and Suzanne Lyda did a presentation for the Middleburg Republican Club. The club reviewed maps and documents that they had not seen previously which showed the inappropriateness of  attempts to put the Beltway through the Conservation Area.

June 17, 2005

 Ted and Dawyn Boyer and Tom Platt did a presentation for the City Council of Keystone Heights. The Council reviewed maps and documents that they had not seen previously which showed the inappropriateness of attempts to put the Beltway through the Conservation Area

June 15, 2005

Met with Representative Jennifer Carroll’s office and shared our concern    for the preservation of the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area and the motives behind those seeking to modify FDOT’s routes. We learned that Representative Carroll plans to hold a workshop  sometime in July to see if a COMPROMISE  can be reached between FDOT, SJRWMD, those wishing to place the Beltway through the Conservation Area and Citizens to Save Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area. We know there is no compromise because any type road would render the property non conservable and possibly open it up for development. Moreover, due to 4 (f) guidelines, it wouldn’t be legal.

June 15, 2005

Met with Bill Bossuot of the St. Johns River Water Management District regarding forming a Friends of Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area Community Group.

June 14, 2005

Many attended the BCC Meeting. Thank you! The toll feasibility Study was presented at the Clay County Commissioners and the St. John’s County Commissioner Meeting. No route can be entirely funded by tolls. The Pink Route came in at 44% toll feasible and the purple at 69%/ That means the rest of the money would could from you the taxpayer unless federal or state funds were used.

June 9, 2005

Suzanne Lyda, Ted and Dawyn Boyer met with Representative Dick Kravitz’s Aide, Debbie Harris, and shared our concern for the preservation of the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area and the motives behind those seeking to modify FDOT’s routes

June 8, 2005

Commissioner Harold Rutledge held a town meeting at Lake Asbury School. Thank you to all who attended and made  our position clear.

June 2, 2005

The Town of Penney Farms was approached by our opposition and was also asked to modify their 2/15/05 resolution endorsing the FDOT pink corridor to include the nonexistent power line easement. They refused. Thank you Penney Farms

June 1, 2005

Attended the Transportation Advisory Committee whereit was learned that the City of Keystone Heights had passed a resolution supporting a modification of the pink FDOT corridor which references the nonexistent power line easement through the Black Creek Ravines. Calls were then placed to the Mayor by Suzanne Lyda and Sarah Owen of the Florida Wildlife Federation.

May 24, 2005

Dawyn Boyer spoke to the Commissioners and presented a map from developers and landowners that were given to FDOT in July of 2003. They were seeking approval from FDOT for the Outer Beltway to go through the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area. This corridor is identified on the map as the RGR Corridor. It clearly shows that the only difference between FDOT’s pink corridor currently being studied (this is the most southerly/westerly route) and the RGR corridor is that the RGR corridor is placed two miles west through the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area  and  provides two additional exits for one landowner. Mrs. Boyer also asked to be named to the Transportation Advisory Committee to fill a vacancy. To date, she has not been contacted.

May 16, 2005

We attended the “Take Back Our County” Citizens Forum with over 300 participants. Dawyn Boyer spoke to the group in opposition to any formation of a Highway or Transportation Authority in Clay County. Remember: An Authority could have the ability to tax you, condemn your property or take your property through use of eminent domain. They would also serve to take the “heat” off of our elected official when an unpopular decision was made.

May 13. 2005

We meet with Congressman Cliff Stearns at his Ocala Office. We shared the disinformation being used to “modify” existing FDOT routes for study and promote the Outer Beltway through the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area.  We spent over an hour with Congressman Stearns and asked that he be vigilant to attempts to change laws that could impact Conservation Areas. We updated him on information we had received that our opposition was trying to promote a project called, Wekiva Springs in North Orlando, as precedent to put the Beltway through the Conservation Area. Wekiva Springs is a huge tract of land, at least 7000 acres, and there were no other feasible or prudent routes. You can read all about this project at: http://www.dca.state.fl.us/fdcp/dcp/wekiva/wekivatf/January03/WekivaReport.pdf. Take a good look at the raised highway through Wekiva. It is ugly!!

May 2, 2005

We received notice of our award as Land Conservation Organization of the 2005 as awarded by the Florida Wildlife Federation

April 14, 2005

Dawyn Boyer addressed the Metropolitan Planning Organization and handed out packets on our organization, our cause and our web site. She also told them of the meeting with Secretary Abrue.

April 11, 2005 

Sarah Owen, Florida Wildlife Federation; Dawyn Boyer, and Suzanne Lyda traveled to Tallahassee and were fortunate to spend about forty-five minutes with Secretary of FDOT, Jose Abrue, and other staff. We presented Secretary Abrue with a packet on our organization, website and most importantly the environmental magnitude of the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area. He assured us that he would contact Thad Crowe of the Clay County Planning Department and Kirby Greene of the St. John’s River Water Management District.

April 2, 2005

Dawyn Boyer’s Letter to the Editor regarding “the interesting things you find out at public meetings” appeared in the Florida Times Union.

March 18, 2005

Dawyn Boyer participated in the Clay County Chamber of Commerce  Economic Development  Summit held at the Thrasher Horne Auditorium.  Please refer to the report given under “Must Reading.”

March 15, 2005

Suzanne Lyda and Dawyn Boyer addressed the Green Cove Springs City Council regarding the Conservation Area and attempts by other to utilize a route for the Beltway through it even though not recognized by FDOT.

March 12, 2005

Dawyn Boyer and Suzanne Lyda attended Congressman Cliff Stearns’ Town Meeting at the Orange Park Town Hall. Congressman Stearn was presented with a packet of information (including copies from our web site)on the Black Creek Ravines Conservation/Beltway controversy.

March 11, 2005

FDOT Secretary District II, Aage Schroder clarified and corrected statements made at the February MPO regarding the Outer Beltway. Mr. Schroder relayed that at this time, none of the alignments run through the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area.

March 8, 2005

Dawyn Boyer addressed the BCC on the many conflicting maps from the Clay County Planning Department. – some with a road through the Ravines and some without. She asked for consistency in what is being presented to the public with original and revision dates noted on the maps.

March 3, 2005

A letter to the editor appeared in the Clay Today from Suzanne Lyda disagreeing with a road being placed through the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area.  All are encouraged to write the various newspapers and tell them of the importance the Conservation Area plays in your life and why it should be maintained in its current pristine condition as purchased by SJRWMD and without any road placed through it.

February 28, 2005

Citizens to Save Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area held a public meeting at Middleburg United Methodist Church. 100 + were in attendance and we were pleased to welcome Imran Ghani of FDOT ; Denise Bunnewith of the MPO; and Robert Christianson of the SJRWMD.  Please reference newspaper articles on this web site pertaining to this meeting.

February 26, 2005

Another article in the Florida Times Union relayed that the Clay County Sports Tourism Development Association was still interested in negotiating with SJRWMD.

February 23, 2005

The Florida Times Union reported that SJRWMD had decided on February 22, 2005 that the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area was not for sale. However, they also said that they would be willing to discuss placement of a road through the Conservation Area with FDOT. WHY???

February 21, 2005-

Dawyn Boyer and Suzanne Lyda met with George Francisco and Joe Wiggins. The article outlining their plans to discuss purchasing the Ravines Conservation Area from St. John’s River Water Management in order to develop the area as a sports complex (soccer/baseball fields), run the Outer Beltway through the Conservation Area and leave any remaining part (?) of the area in  PRIVATE conservation was also published this date. This would put the Conservation in private hands and once done it would never return to public domain. If their plan failed, there would be nothing to stop them from selling or trading the land to a developer!!!

February 16, 2005

Suzanne Lyda received a call from George Francisco of the Clay County Sports Tourism Development Association asking to meet with some of our group. This was after they had learned that an article regarding the Conservation Area and their desired plans was to be published by the Florida Times Union. A meeting was set for February 21, 2005.

February 10, 2005

As a result of the above conversation, Imran Ghani of FDOT (at the request of Secretary Schroder) called Dawyn Boyer at her home. He apologized for any misunderstanding and relayed that: 1) No alignment through the Ravines Conservation Area is being considered AT THIS TIME. 2) Any alignment through the Conservation Area has been ruled out due to 4(f)guidelines as indicated on FDOT’s website.

February 10, 2005

The minutes of the December 9, 2004 meeting were not corrected  and a FDOT representative also made note that the Ravines Conservation Area Corridor was being considered. A member of our group attending the meeting spoke with both Mrs. Bunnewith  of the MPO and Secretary Schroder of FDOT and pointed out the discrepancies between the statements and FDOT’s official website as verified on February 10, 2005.

On February 8, 2005

Sarah Owen of the Northeast Florida Wildlife Federation, after reading the minutes of the December 9, 2004 Metropolitan Planning Organization Meeting, noted that they reflected that two routes were being considered for the Outer Beltway through Clay County – one through Lake Asbury and one through the power line easement in the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area. Representatives of the Metropolitan Planning Organization were made aware of  FDOT’s position that the road would not go through the Conservation Area and we were told the minutes would be corrected at the February 10, 2005 meeting.

January 12, 2005

In the First Coast Community Section of the Florida Times Union, the following article appeared: “Highway Authority Idea Pitched”. This entity could be allowed to levy bonds to build toll roads and to utilize Eminent Domain to acquire needed right-of-way. Their power would be determined by the Commissioners. This group could try to circumvent the need for Federal funding and thereby possibly avoid Federal guidelines forbidding roadways through Conservation Areas. We have since attended several meetings and this idea is being studied. Please be vigilant about this issue. E-mail your commissioners that you are opposed to this – commissioners@co.clay.fl.us. If you are interested there is a petition being started and information can be received from Suzanne Lyda or Dawyn Boyer.

December 7, 2004

The Board of County Commissioners voted to transmit the Lake Asbury    Master Plan (LAMP) to the Department of Community Affairs in Tallahassee. Despite our best efforts to have the dotted line removed from the maps that showed a possible future road through the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area, neither the Clay County Commissioners nor the Planning Department was willing to remove it

October 26, 2004  

 FDOT’s website (www.sjrbridge.com) stated that the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area would not be the site of the Outer Beltway.

August 30, 2004

An article appeared in the Florida Times Union (Metro Section) regarding a land swap being considered between St. John’s River Water Management and a private landowner.  The landowner was offering up to 6500 acres in trade for the 965 acres of Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area. After much public outcry the land swap was “shelved” per an article that appeared in the Florida Time Union on October 7, 2004.

July 15, 2004

Clay Citizens for Sound Development asked that Florida Department of Transportation research placing the Outer Beltway through the Black Creek Ravines Conservation Area and not in Lake Asbury. (THEY NEGLECTED TO REALIZE THAT THE BLACK CREEK RAVINES CONSERVATION AREA IS IN LAKE ASBURY).This is after FDOT’s presentation of their suggested routes for the Beltway earlier in the year which did not show the Black Creek Ravines Conservation as a viable route. At this time, there did not appear to be any cause of concern for those of us who utilize or live near the Conservation Area.