Title
Gainesville Urban Reserve Area Update (B)
This item is in relation to the ongoing update of the Gainesville Urban Reserve Area, the status of negotiations with the County and other municipalities and the results from neighborhood meetings.
Explanation
On June 28, 2005, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing to address the 5-year update of the urban reserve areas for the municipalities in Alachua County. The County staff presented the recommended changes to the reserve areas submitted by each municipality, and the County staff's proposed modifications to urban reserve areas. In addition, each municipality made statements in regards to requests for changes in the urban reserve areas. It was determined that there still existed some areas of conflict between the municipalities, and/or the County staff's proposal.
A provision in the Boundary Adjustment Act allows for a 120-day informal negotiation period to resolve any remaining conflicts. The County Commission asked the County staff and the municipalities to use the 120 day period, which expired on October 26, 2005, to continue to work on resolutions to the areas of conflict.
On September 12, 2005, staff presented the progress of those negotiations to the City Commission. The Commission concurred with staff's direction and indicated a specific desire to obtain all of Newnan's Lake in Gainesville's URA. City staff, along with the City Attorney's Office, has been working with the municipalities affected by Gainesville's proposed urban reserve expansion in an attempt to resolve any remaining conflicts. In addition, staff held neighborhood meetings with the residents in the NW 93rd Avenue area and the community of Rochelle.
Currently, the area adjacent to NW 93rd Avenue is in Gainesville's Urban Reserve Area. The City of Alachua also requested this area for inclusion in their Urban Reserve. In addition, Gainesville requested areas north of the Deerhaven Power Plant that are currently in Alachua's Extra Territorial Area. Gainesville staff, Alachua staff, and Alachua County staff began meeting to resolve these conflicts. Gainesville staff analyzed the area and recommended that the City not pursue annexation at this time. NW 93rd Avenue is an unpaved road. The City does not own the type of equipment necessary to maintain the road, and paving the road is cost prohibitive. Furthermore, potential new development along the corridor is located in the City of Alachua. In exchange for this area, the City of Alachua and Alachua County are willing to place land located north of the Deerhaven Power Plant into Gainesville's Urban Reserve (see map in backup materials). A neighborhood meeting was held on November 30, 2005 to advise and inform the residents of this proposed change. Several residents voiced their concerns. These residents did not express a desire to annex into either Gainesville or Alachua. Other residents in attendance did not voice any concerns with the proposal. Staff instructed all residents to contact their County Commissioners or attend the public hearing scheduled for January 10, 2006 to voice their concerns and desires.
The proposed boundaries do not include all of Newnan's Lake as requested by the City Commission. Staff has requested justification from the County regarding this area. However, the proposal does include expansion of Gainesville's URA to include the community of Rochelle and land to the north of the lake. A neighborhood meeting was held in Rochelle on December 6, 2005 to advise and inform the residents of this proposed change. There was an overwhelming desire to remain in the unincorporated area and not be included in Gainesville's Urban Reserve Area. Staff instructed all residents to contact their County Commissioners or attend the public hearing scheduled for January 10, 2006 to voice their concerns and desires. The residents of Rochelle plan to deliver a petition to the County Commission expressing their desire to remain outside Gainesville's Urban Reserve Area.
Currently, LaCrosse provides fire suppression and EMS services to the area to the north of the City limits, east of Deer Haven Power Plant and south of LaCrosse through an interlocal agreement with Alachua County. A portion of this area is proposed to be included in the modified Gainesville Urban Reserve being proposed by Alachua County. The City is working with the Town of LaCrosse to address the provision of EMS and fire suppression services in the area in the event the area is added to the Gainesville URA, and subsequently annexed into the City limits.
Fiscal Note
None
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) review the draft language for the "Letter of Intent", which commits to negotiating the provision of fire /EMS services with LaCrosse subsequent to annexation, and authorize the City Manager to submit the letter to the Town of Lacrosse with a copy being forwarded to the Alachua County; 2) provide direction to staff on the City's position regarding Newnan's Lake; 3) provide direction to staff on the City's position regarding the NW 93rd Avenue area; and 4) appoint a Commission member or designee to attend the County's public hearing on January 10, 2006.