County steps closer to Oak Tree Landing development

By John M. Ayers

The Gilchrist County Commission stepped closer to approving the Oak Tree Landing Rural Florida Destination Village when they approved Ordinance 2009-16, which changes the identified Agriculture Zoned property from A-2 to Rural Florida Destination Village (RFD).
The board jointly agreed that the Comprehensive Plan Amendment was a step in the right direction involving Gilchrist County’s future in allowing this resort type development into the county along the eastern boundary.
Commissioner Tommy Langford made the motion to approve the ordinance with Commissioner Kenrick Thomas agreeing with a second. The five-member board agreed. The county will now submit the amendment to the Florida Department of Community Affairs for their final review.
Residents that live in the neighborhood voiced concerns over the increased traffic on CR-232 on the two S curves leading in to Alachua County and SE 80th Avenue.
Stacey Hoyt, a resident and property owner who lives on the west end of the 5,000 foot runway, told the commission she has questions she would like answered in more detail. With 126 fly-in units proposed for the village, she asked if three to five planes arriving daily is a fair estimate of the traffic that will be using the paved runway. Hoyt also gave an example, saying, if a six to ten passenger jet was preparing to land on the runway from the west, she worries that the horses and children involved in her horseback riding business will be scared by the noise.
Several other residents told the commission that they felt the development would be an asset to Gilchrist County in providing jobs in relation to the operation of the village as well as the extended construction of the development.
“If planned and followed in detail, this could be a positive impact in Gilchrist County,” said Commissioner Randy Durden.
Durden said this development is not a save all for Gilchrist County, but a step in the right direction. He also complimented the Stiles Group in their planning and addressing of the water issues facing the proposed development.
There were residents and property owners who addressed the commission during the Monday afternoon meeting who reminded the board that the recommendation from the Department of Community Affairs says it is not compatible with the Agriculture property that surrounds the proposed 615 acre project. The residents warned the commissioners of the negative impact the development will have to the natural spring water area in the future, along with heavy traffic problems in the area.
Gilchrist County Attorney John McPherson told the board the submittal of this ordinance as an amendment to the County’s Comprehensive Plan will allow DCA to further review the revised development and submit concerns to the county in the future.