Dozens of residents and callers told the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners on July 8 that a pending rezoning application next to Paynes Prairie would threaten wildlife, groundwater recharge and increase flood risk.

Public commenters urged commissioners to deny or slow the request by Miranda Homes LLC (application not yet finalized), saying the parcel lies next to critical recharge areas and the prairie's unique wildlife habitat. Speakers described Paynes Prairie as a cultural and ecological treasure and said approving development there would set a dangerous precedent for other natural areas in and around Gainesville.

The demonstration of opposition began during public comment, when several speakers asked the board to reconsider the county's handling of the pending quasi-judicial application. Debbie Ringhaver, who identified herself at the dais, said habitat fragmentation would harm species that rely on the prairie and warned of increased runoff and groundwater threats if pavement replaces natural land. Other callers and speakers echoed those concerns, citing water-quality and flood impacts and the value of the prairie for tourism, recreation and mental health.

Commissioners and staff responded that the application is a quasi-judicial matter and that county staff has not completed its technical review. County staff and legal counsel instructed speakers that detailed testimony and evidentiary presentations will be accepted in the formal review process and that those who believe they are substantially affected can apply for party status in the judicial-style process.

Commissioner Mary Alford, who attended the Florida Association of Counties meeting earlier, acknowledged residents' vocal opposition and told the crowd their messages were heard; Commissioner Cornell said he had received more communications on this issue than nearly any other he recalled and pledged to remember the public comments as the review proceeds.

Staff and commissioners emphasized the standard course: planning staff must complete its technical reviews (including wetlands, traffic and well-field protections) and the application will proceed to planning commission before the county commission considers any zoning change. Commissioners repeatedly told the public that, because the item is currently quasi-judicial, board members could not discuss or prejudge the application outside the public hearing context.

The board offered procedural guidance to residents: requests to be recognized as parties in the quasi-judicial hearing must show a higher-than-general level of impact and follow the county's party procedures. Staff also said a full application review would include a traffic impact analysis and environmental assessments that will be publicly posted when available.

The board did not take any final action on the rezoning at the July 8 meeting. Commissioners said the earliest likely time the matter could return for formal land-use or zoning action is months away after planning commission review and completion of staff analyses.

The public comment period drew callers from UF students, longtime residents and local ecotourism guides who described Paynes Prairie as a regional asset for wildlife and recreation. Several callers asked commissioners to preserve the prairie and to treat groundwater recharge areas and floodplains as non-developable. Speakers also asked the board to coordinate with the City of Gainesville and state agencies when reviews require cross-jurisdictional analysis.

County staff reiterated that the application is still in the preliminary review stage and reminded the public that staff and the county attorney will provide instructions about becoming a party to the quasi-judicial hearing and about how the planning commission and board will evaluate evidence.

The commission did not set a hearing date on July 8 and offered no timeline beyond staff's estimate that review and planning commission consideration will take several months.