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Hundreds of residents urge Alachua County to block rezoning near Paynes Prairie
Summary
Dozens of speakers and dozens of phone callers told the Alachua County commission on July 8 they oppose a developer—s application to rezone land adjacent to Paynes Prairie, citing threats to groundwater recharge, wildlife and flood risk; commissioners said the application is quasi-judicial and will follow established review steps.
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…
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