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Commission moves to alter NW 122nd Street multiuse path to save oaks, asks staff to seek GRU easement
Summary
The commission approved removing a portion of the multiuse path on NW 122nd Street to preserve large oak trees while staff seeks an estimated 17-foot permanent and temporary construction easement from GRU; commissioners also referred a process review to better protect heritage trees.
The Alachua County Commission on April 7 approved staff’s recommendation to remove part of the multiuse path in the NW 122nd Street extension project to preserve several large oak trees, while urging staff to secure necessary easements from the utility (GRU) and to return with design details.
Ramon Gabaretti, Public Works director, told the board staff can keep the multiuse path on one side of the road to preserve canopy near the trees but needs about 17 feet of additional permanent transportation easement and a 20-foot temporary construction easement from GRU to realign the roadway and grading. He said staff has shared sketches with GRU but had not received confirmation of the easements.
Gabaretti also explained utility buffers around a 138 kV transmission line: the buffer is for conductor swing, equipment access, and public-safety clearance. Commissioners and staff discussed mitigation options — including stabilized access lanes, gates or alternate easements — that could allow GRU to preserve operational safety while enabling the roadway realignment.
Neighbors urged the county to consider residents’ concerns about privacy, noise and shade; Mary Jo Vanken (public commenter) asked whether both sides of the path could be removed and suggested planting alternatives, while Paul Moore thanked staff for responsiveness and urged a timely GRU response so the project can proceed.
Growth Management director Jeff Hayes reviewed the development approvals and said the landscape plan for that phase (circa 2006) showed no trees or shrubs in the buffer; he said county staff can investigate whether the developer or HOA controls the buffer and whether the county can plant small trees with owner or HOA permission.
The commission moved and approved staff’s recommendation, with the chair directing staff to call GRU leadership for an expedited reply; commissioners also unanimously passed a referral directing staff to review county processes that protect heritage trees and to involve arborist and environmental-protection staff earlier in design phases.
Next steps: staff will continue negotiations with GRU, update the commission at the next meeting and, if easements are confirmed, finalize design and mitigation measures to preserve trees where practicable.
