Residents raise paperwork, environmental and wastewater concerns about Bridlewood and nearby development plans

Several residents on Jan. 9 pressed the City Commission of High Springs to scrutinize planned development and wastewater decisions, focusing on a proposed Bridlewood subdivision, regional project reviews at Mill Creek Sink, and a recently declined wastewater grant.

Becky Burns, who identified herself as a High Springs property owner with a background in surveying and real estate, told commissioners she believes the Bridlewood developer failed to follow the city’s notice requirement (she cited “section 111505 notice”) and that several neighbors did not receive mailed notices. Burns also raised concerns about the use of a community development district (CDD), marketing language by local agents, and possible cultural- and wildlife-resource impacts on the project parcels; she asked that the commission not approve a CDD without fully understanding the arrangement.

Jameson (address given at meeting) urged commissioners to reconsider rejecting a state grant connected to grinder pumps, saying the city declined roughly $1,800,000 that would have required no local match. He said state statute 373.807 and existing city ordinances require certain properties to hook up to sewer systems when wastewater capacity is extended; he told the commission that roughly six to seven homes are within about 200 feet and could be affected. Jameson warned that refusing available grant funding could make future grants harder to secure and leave the city responsible for ensuring hookups.

Earlier in the meeting a commissioner moved — and the body approved — an amendment to the agenda to table a standalone wastewater discussion (new business item 2) until a future meeting when all commissioners are present and the consultant MidTower can present a workshop.

Brian Bisher, High Springs, reported that the Suwannee River Water Management District issued a request for additional information to the developer of Terra Forest West, listing 28 items required before project review. Bisher described the SRWMD action as a sign of increased scrutiny on water-quality and sinkhole-area development and commended the city and county for raising concerns about Mill Creek Sink and the Hornsby Spring watershed.

Commissioners said they would look into the notice and ordinance questions raised by residents and emphasized they will seek to ensure developers follow city regulations; no formal commission vote on Bridlewood, the grinder-pump grant, or CDD approval occurred at this meeting.

The public comments cited possible next steps: staff review of mailed-notice records, verification of CDD documentation and developer compliance, environmental and cultural-resource surveys, and follow-up with SRWMD on Terra Forest West filings.