The City Commission will be meeting Monday evening, January 22^nd at 6:45pm to review the impact of the now proposed SpringHills project on the City. The city commission does not have jurisdiction regarding this project since it is not within the city limits of the city of Gainesville, however, it can make recommendations to the County Commission which is an adjacent government.  The city commission has expressed their concern that the Substantial Deviation of the SpringHills DRI will have massive transportation impacts and would require the City to change it's comprehensive plan to accommodate the road widenings required by this project.  Furthermore, the City has stated that the project would have a negative effect on existing retail and is "counter to the City's continuing efforts to redevelop downtown and other community redevelopment areas, and is inconsistent with the long-term commitment to discourage sprawl and promote sustainable development that is embodied in the City of Gainesville's 2000-2010 Comprehensive Plan."  The city commission will be considering whether or not to send these plus additional comments opposing this project to the County Commission which has ultimate jurisdiction and will make the final decision on the development most likely in 70-90 days. 

The City has specifically asked that we have all interested persons attend the meeting.  It is vital that we have a large presence to express our concerns so they may be transmitted to the Alachua County Board of Commissioners. Help us in our efforts to make our concerns known. When you arrive, we will provide you with a label to wear identifying your desire for responsible growth in opposition to this project.

We believe that expressing our concerns to public officials is of paramount importance over the next 3 months. We will have several very important meetings where we will need your support. We know how hard it is to find time in the evening with the busy lives we lead but having you there is critical to our effort. The City Commission Meeting is the first but then quickly to follow will be a very important joint CIty and County Commission meeting on January 29th to review the SpringHills Project.  The exact time that the discussion will occur has not been announced but we will keep you informed and ask that you plan ahead to be there.

Thank you all for your ongoing efforts. Please forward this e-mail to anyone you know who would be interested in our efforts.

Thank you,

Coalition for Responsible Growth
Sponsor of SaveMillhopperRoad.Org.