Alachua County Commission accepts Lee Property Special Area Study, moves to preserve 3,500 acres and build world-class golf course
BY DAVID LIGHTMAN
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – At a Special Meeting on November 7, the Alachua County Commission accepted a Special Area Study for the 4,068-acre Hickory Sink Strategic Ecosystem/Lee Property, centrally located between Gainesville, Archer, and Newberry.
Prizzia: “Tonight is about focusing on what must be protected.”
Chair Anna Prizzia introduced the agenda item: “I want people to understand where we are and where we’re not with this conversation. Strategic Ecosystems are identified in our Comprehensive Plan, and we have special requirements about how they have to be protected. And the first step in that process is a Special Area Study… From there, once we have adopted that Special Area Study, we have several next steps including a Special Area Plan, and then development plans would come, where we would actually identify the ‘what’ and the ‘how’ of any areas that are not to be protected and how they might be developed. That is not happening tonight. Tonight is simply adopting or not adopting the Special Area Study. It is a unique situation to have a Strategic Ecosystem entirely on a single landholder’s property. And we are fortunate that the Lee family is collaborative with the County and working hard to find a solution that will be the best for all of us, which is conserving their land and their legacy… Tonight is about focusing on what must be protected.”
In his presentation, Ben Chumley, a Senior Planner with Alachua County, mentioned that significant changes have been made since the Board last discussed the Special Area Study in September 2022. Chumley said the next step, in conjunction with accepting the Special Area Study, is for the Commission to authorize the process for the preparation of Special Area Plan(s), which are in-depth plans intended to address unique issues or circumstances and are required for developments within Strategic Ecosystems such as the Hickory Sink. He said the County has been working with the property owner since May 2020, and he outlined the steps that have been taken. The Special Area Study, Chumley said, consists of the main report and two supplemental reports; the second supplemental report identifies two potential land use scenarios for the property: Local and State Conservation and Collaborative Planning.
Local and State Conservation
Chumley explained the Local and State Conservation scenario involves a partnership with UF, who would like to build a 36-hole golf course on 580 acres with 30 guest cottages and up to 200,000 square feet of facilities. The other 3,492 acres would be reserved as a conservation easement.
Collaborative Planning
The second scenario, Chumley said, “would be identical to the other scenario for the 580-acre UF Institutional area. This scenario differs in that much of the remainder of the property is identified as Residential Future Special Area Plan.” He said no work had been done on residential densities; that would happen at a future step, and Strategic Ecosystem Development Standards would apply.
Strategic Ecosystem Evaluation
Steve Hoffstetter of the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department detailed some results of the Special Area Study. He said the Hickory Sink was first identified as an ecological site in 1996. He went over a slide showing the different criteria used to rate a Strategic Ecosystem and said the property does meet the criteria.
Hoffstetter explained that the area contains numerous geologic features including sandhill pines, forests, caves, sinkholes, and pastures. Approximately 1,500 gopher tortoises were found on the property, along with giant orchids and other uncommon plants, and he said staff recommends the conservation areas show above of 681 acres of sandhill/upland pine habitat, 147 acres of upland mixed forest habitat, and a small amount of land around other geologic features. Golf courses, he said, do present some environmental concerns, but his office has come up with strategies and techniques to mitigate this damage.
Commissioner Mary Alford asked what would happen if a new sinkhole or cave system is discovered. Hoffstetter said it would be added as a protected area, or, if the sinkhole was the result of construction, it would be repaired.
Val Lee spoke on behalf of the Lee family, who have owned the land for five generations. He asked the Commission to simply accept the Special Area Study. He said he preferred the first land use scenario, with 3,492 preserved acres. Regarding the second scenario with more development, he said, “This is not what we want to do, and I hope we never have to come back here to discuss it.”
“At this time there are no intentions of a through road from Haile to Parker.”
Tyler Matthews, President of ETM Consulting and land use entitlement expert, added some additional information. He stressed the commitment to conservation from both the Lee family and UF. Regarding a potential road from Haile Boulevard to Park Road that was the source of controversy and many recent emails to the Commissioners, Matthews said, “We did want to make very clear from both the Lee family and the UF side that at this time there are no intentions of a through road from Haile to Parker.”
Commissioner Ken Cornell asked whether the proposed 36-hole golf course would be at the northwest corner of the property. Matthews said the exact design and location of the golf course has not been planned but would be part of the Special Area Plan.
Alford asked about the possibility of UF building a “park and ride” lot on the property as part of their partnership. Matthews said those minor details would be ironed out later.
Lee returned to the podium and said (jokingly), “Madam Chair and Commissioners, I don’t know if we mentioned, but we do not want a through road between Haile Plantation and Parker… We ask that you accept the Special Area Study with the suggested strategies and recommendations and the resolution before you. Thank you.” Prizzia thanked Lee for wanting to protect the property and not preferring the second use scenario.
Cornell asked staff if there would ever be a reason to put a road through a conservation area and was told there would not be.
Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler thanked Matthews for planning to allow some local use of the golf course for local high school tournaments and other events. Matthews said it will be a world-class championship course for athletes, a pure golf experience with no distracting residential neighborhoods nearby. The thirty cottages will be for use by guests of the course.
Alford made a motion to “approve the resolution to accept the Special Area Study and authorize the process for a Special Area Plan based on the recommendations contained in the applicant Special Area Study Second Supplement report and with the conditions recommended by County staff. And, in addition to that, that we include a condition for chemical management and a recommendation that if there is a connection to Haile, that it only be used for a service entrance and possibly a bike path.” Commissioner Charles Chestnut seconded the motion.
Several members of the public spoke. Many addressed the potential environmental concerns a golf course could cause. Others questioned what UF will do with their existing golf course.
Lee McSherry said the study is not complete because it does not include ground-penetrating radar, and it should not be accepted. Later in the meeting, it was pointed out that ground-penetrating radar is used on an as-needed basis, to make certain that proposed development sites do not have potential issues.
Alford added a condition to her original motion: to have more community opportunities for nature and recreational use on the UF part of the land.
The motion passed unanimously.
$$$…off the tax rolls.
Governments running golf courses – that’s worked out really well hasn’t it?
Exactly… and how is a golf course eco friendly anyway? They would use more fertilizer and other lawn chemicals in a year then most people would use on their property in a life time
My brother is a golf course superintendent and no they do not use lawn chemical and fertilizers like years past. The whole industry is turned much more Eco-friendly.
“Like years past” is the key phrase.
Because of inflation, many of us buy a lot less, probably drive a lot less and are able to save a lot less as well.
Point is, they still use it. Wonder if they’ll get a fertilizer and water usage exemption for that as well?
UF and the UAA are very different from city government. They will do a much better job running the golf course.
“It is a unique situation to have a Strategic Ecosystem entirely on a single landholder’s property.” What BS, 4000 acres are not an “Ecosystem,” much less a ‘strategic’ one. It’s a nice chunk of random central florida Florida piney woods property that’s being talked up like it’s the last chance to save the Amazon, with a
“world class” golf course as an added bonus. Pebble Beach, anyone?
This town is filled with drama queens!
Supporting, even cheering for, a plan to have a multibillion dollar university plop their own private golf resort 45 minutes away from their own campus is such a weird level of bootlicking. I don’t understand why people are celebrating getting bent over a barrel??
But here’s a big issue that the author seems to have coincidentally left out, despite it coming up in the meeting several times: UF stated this golf course will use up to 1 million gallons of water per day, it will use chemicals that have proven health risks, and the land sits on an aquifer recharge zone. Simply put: those chemicals absolutely will seep into the aquifer, and anyone that’s on a well water system – like 75% of those living near the property – will have those chemicals appear in their drinking water. It’s not a matter of “if” but “how much” and currently that figure is decided by our government…
If UF wants to build another golf course in our county with three of them already financially underwater, fine. But they should be responsible for whatever damage they cause, whether it’s to people or the land. I don’t bend over for these rich suits, and I’m shocked to see so many fellow county residents in support of it.
They didn’t learn from Ironwood?
I would be more excited if it was a frisbee golf course…
There is a frisbee golf course in Live Oak, are they any in the Gainesville area?
Who gets to stay for free in the cottages they are building?
Yes, there’s one in Northside Park, one out in Jonesville and a new one in Tuscawilla.
Totally different.
Anyone else curious as to whose “buddy or buddies” will be the beneficiary of a 3,492 acre conservation easement?
I’m thinking it’s more of a “preserve what’s mine” easement. The owners have probably been told it’s not available for development due to the wildlife that’s been identified.
How many taxpayer dollars go into this project and is that money reimbursed?
Prior to being dismantled by state GOP politicians in the last decade, Florida had a rigorous state process for developments of a significant size aimed at dealing with environmental and infrastructure impacts. If you don’t like the perpetual green light in place for these kind of projects now, vote Democratic. You can think about it while waiting in traffic on Newberry, Archer, or SW 24th Ave.
hahahahaha. Once again with the Liberal talking points, Jazzy Jeff. Look around at the ACBOCC. Not a single GOP candidate on there. So, try again.
The BOCC does not have the power to do much more than they have on this unless you want them to raise taxes enough to build more east west roads.
They can’t even maintain the roads and sidewalks they have.
It’s not going to be a development, Jazzman, just a 580 acre golf course and a big 3,500 acre preserve. That’s not good enough for you? Maybe UF will innovate some new ways to conserve resources at golf courses that will have a global impact.
That’s not correct Mr Peabody, unless you believe the Lee family is gifting UF with the golf course property and then turning the balance into a park. Hellooo!
This plan is to hold the remaining for future development with “conservation easements”. No doubt the family is sincere in their wish to cash in responsibly, but there will still be no state review, and increased traffic demands – a given, and with only 3 crossings of I-75 – as well as environmental impacts will fall to a weakened BOCC.
As to the golf course, UF needs this like a hole in the head – cut the “NCAA regulations” crap – but is no doubt salivating at turning the existing course into buildings or a real estate bonanza, while creating a spa with 30 guest cottages and 200k square feet of other buildings out west, no local peons allowed. UF is a very good university, but UF Inc. is not a good partner.
I concur. I’m sure they’re sincere about ‘cashing in.’
Both the Lee family and UF Inc.
It’s funny that you are so concerned about a lack of “state review” in this instance. Watch the video and maybe you’ll understand better.
If you like government handouts, over taxation and crime leniency definitely vote Democrat. If you’re tired of the aforementioned, either move or vote differently.
I don’t remember what the cost per acre was, but now, are they GIVING most of a square mile to UF, FREE? What makes them think a “world class golf course” makes sense, when the others in town don’t work on much smaller budgets?
Sink holes and hundreds of endangered animals on the rest of the land they want for “future residential”?
What are these idiots thinking (or drinking)? This is a typical far left Democrat waste of taxpayer money, right along with Hanrahan, Poe and Ward, with what they have done to the city.
I think it will be for tournaments/championships and athletes who need to train at that level, like the UF team. Not for kids hoping to become professional golfers and other recreational-type golfers in the local area. They don’t want to build on the 3,500 acres at all, that was an alternate plan that nobody wants.
Just think, if they would donate that land to the county and the county built barracks on it for the growing homeless population. That would be be putting their ‘concern’ to the test.
The libertards would have a fit.
Lee said
“We ask that you accept the Special Area Study with the suggested strategies and recommendations and the resolution before you”
No worries Mr Lee, your wish was granted long before this meeting.
The only thing left to be done by the BoCC as it relates to everything talked-about, is to offer up a little razzle-dazzle to the public, then strap the cost of the project onto the backs of the taxpayers and call it a win for conservation; End of story.
“A golf course is a terrible waste of a perfectly good rifle range,” Gen. Chesty Puller.
Yeah, we need a public gun range more than a golf course!!!!
After the county municipalities are fully gentrified, they need a ‘plantation’ where the gentry can commune with nature.
Prizzia: “Tonight is about focusing on what must be protected.”
How about protecting the people who live here from runaway growth with speculative tax revenue to waste on the next big idea?
This county cares NOT for the environment. Shame on UF and the county. Funny how the county dictates the use of fertilizers for homeowners under the excuse of protecting the environment, yet is happy to add a golf course over the aquifer. This is and will be an environmental disaster. Go find some land on the east side to development as the commissioners are always complaining about how to build that side up with economic development. Leave the aquifer alone! The new developments will destroy it eventually (look up the White Springs story), so we don’t need a golf course at that location. The county commissioners should update their motto to we will destroy the environment to become Orlando or Miami.
There’s plenty of acreage for UF to build a golf course on that 700+ acre plot between CR235 & CR241 that was taken off, I mean “gifted,” to UF several years ago.
I wonder if the owners are happy with their tax free home and acreage?