Alachua residents circulate petition to stop large housing development
Staff report
ALACHUA, Fla. – The organizers of a petition to “Stop the largest housing development in the City of Alachua next to the Mill Creek Sink” are seeking signatures before Monday evening’s Alachua City Commission meeting.
The agenda for the meeting, which will be held at 6 p.m. on July 22 at City Hall (15100 NW 142nd Terrace), includes a preliminary plat for Tara Forest West, which will include 523 homes on 198 acres, to the north and west of Lowe’s.
The organizers argue that the property is next to environmentally sensitive lands and that it would be preferable for Wild Space and Public Places funds to be used to purchase it as a conservation area. They also argue that the builder is known for low-quality homes with 10-year roofs and low-quality air-conditioning units.
Monday night should be interesting. I’d like to know who is paying for the infrastructure to sustain this housing plan
I believe that further investigation into the builder and the impact on the city and area are warranted.
I want to know which commissioner(s) is getting the pay off from the builder.
Need to stop this AND that monstrosity they’re threatening for Newberry🤬
We’re here now, everything must be stopped!
Typical NIMBY attitude
At least, in this case, the city can require uniformity of quality standards and have somebody to hold accountable, houses have to be built someplace, volume accountability is better for everybody
Without endorsing this subdivision, you can’t build “a 10 year old roof” in Florida if it’s legally permitted. We have a state code – adjusted for the maximum non-tornado wind speeds for different locations – that does not allow substandard construction of the structure or exterior envelope. A roofer’s warranty is not the same thing as the design life of that roof, and while they vary depending on the different types of materials necessary for differing conditions – flat roofs have the lowest expected life due to the nature of the materials and installation conditions – none are 10 years or less. Additionally, materials used for the exterior envelope – and roofs are part of that – cannot be used unless the product is tested by an independent engineering firm for the wind exposure and installation methods they advertise. This process is called Florida Product Approval and the information – including tests and installation directions – is publicly available online and is part of the required information for a permit.
https://floridabuilding.org/pr/pr_default.aspx
Yes I agree there are standards and checks in place but I use Bailey Estates as one example. I know of two homes that roofs rotted and shingles needed to be replaced inside of 5 years. These are the people I know. There have been problems with foundation failure, proper drainage, as well as roofs. It may be more an issue of crappy supplies or it could be the contractors. The people I know had their homes by same company.
Really needed replacing due to poor materials and construction, or replaced because some roofer/attorney came around and said they did? It’s the latter who have been primary reasons for increased insurance premiums.
Those poor teachers going from 30 students to 50 students per classroom. We will reward them with less time off!
I do not doubt that the representatives are representing someone. The question is who? Not of the Alachua citizens, not of the Florida citizens, and certainly not of the the common people.
I am a simple man I know 0 about construction and or politics. I choose to retired here 11 years ago. My sons grew up to be man here. The impact onto residents here is going to be huge during years of construction and destruction. Traffic! But the greed of a few seems to prevail often.
Recall all of the Alachua City Commissioners and the Mayor for what they have done to this city.
There is an active cave system (aquifer) under this proposed development. Isn’t there a law that the water table has to be so many feet below the surface for any type of construction? Have any tests been done? If homes are built, how will owners get any type of insurance knowing there is an active cave system?
Stop The County From Makeing All The Rules They Work For Us .They Steal Our Money For There Plans Their Projects
Killing Our Wildlife To Build Homes We don’t Want. We Love The Country Life
Deep State Commi Commistion
Fix The FREKING Roads. Thiefs