Letter: Compliance concerns regarding Wildflowers Music Park

Letter to the editor

Open letter to County Commissioners, County Attorney, and Staff:

I am writing to bring several compliance concerns to your attention regarding the Temporary Use Permit issued to Wildflowers Music Park (TUP TU25-000020). The event is going on this weekend, yet several required conditions and permitting steps appear to remain unresolved:

1. Tent Permit Condition Not Met

During the February 10, 2026 quasi-judicial hearing, the Board approved conditions stating that:

• Permits for tents over 900 square feet and any applicable permits demonstrating compliance with the Florida Building Code must be approved no less than one week prior to the event beginning.

As of March 9, 2026, there are no approved Temporary Tent Permits for this event.

Permit numbers TT26-000007 and TT26-000001 are still listed as pending resubmittal.

In addition, a tent structure was installed on the property during the weekend of March 7–8, 2026. If this structure exceeds 900 square feet, it requires an approved Temporary Tent Permit under County permitting requirements. At present, that approval does not appear to exist.

This raises concerns that a condition of the Board-approved Temporary Use Permit is already being violated.

2. Unpermitted Right-of-Way Driveway Installation

Wildflowers Music Park also installed a limerock driveway connection to NE 255th Drive during the week of March 2, 2026 to be used as an event exit.

However, the Right-of-Way Connection Permit (DRV26-000062) for this work was not submitted until March 9, 2026, after the driveway had already been constructed.

Additionally, the driveway appears to have been installed without the required culvert installation typically required for right-of-way connections.

This appears to represent work completed prior to receiving the required County permit approval.

3. Parcel Number Discrepancy in TUP Application

Another concern involves a discrepancy between:

• the parcel numbers provided by the applicant, and
• the parcel numbers listed in County hearing notices.

The applicant’s Posted Notice Affidavit for Zoning Applications, signed by Charles Jordan Puryear, identifies the property subject to the request and lists the following 8 parcels:

• 1874-000-000
• 18880-000-000
• 18880-005-000
• 18880-006-000
• 18897-000-000
• 18897-002-001
• 18898-001-000
• 18898-001-003

The Special Event Permit application submitted by the applicant also references these same eight parcels.

However, Alachua County public hearing notices listed nine parcels, including 18897-002-000.

This parcel was not included in the applicant’s legal affidavit or application materials, yet according to the submitted site plan it appears to contain:

• tent camping areas
• the community fire circle
• craft vendors
• the dance tent
• the main stage
• generators
• emergency access lanes
• RV and overnight parking areas

Under ULDC Article XXV Section 402.151(c)(4), the application must include the property description, address, and/or parcel number where the temporary use will occur.

Because the Wildflowers property spans both Alachua and Putnam Counties, identifying the correct parcels within Alachua County is essential.

If the applicant did not include parcel 18897-002-000 in their legal affidavit or application materials, it raises an important question: Was the Temporary Use Permit approved for land that was never formally included in the applicant’s request?

If so, this raises potential legal and liability concerns, particularly if an emergency or incident occurs on that parcel during the event.

Request for Clarification

I respectfully request clarification regarding:

• whether the required tent permits have been approved
• whether the unpermitted driveway installation will be addressed
• and whether the parcel discrepancy affects the validity or scope of the Temporary Use Permit

Thank you for your attention to these concerns.

Sincerely,
Sandra Gottschalk 
Pegi Bonner
Connectingmelrose.com

The opinions expressed by letter or opinion writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AlachuaChronicle.com. Assertions of facts in letters are similarly the responsibility of the author. Letters may be submitted to info@alachuachronicle.com and are published at the discretion of the editor.