Meeting Attendees:

Summary:

With the committee chair absent, Heather McCoy served as scribe. Jacquelyn Cake and Diane Whitfield agreed to present the results to the overall group.

Chips were placed on the map as follows, with the emphasis being on how growth will likely occur and not on how committee members would like it to occur. Much of the growth was anticipated to take place near the coastline and on the west side of Perry. Some growth is anticipated on the northern end of the county.

Discussion from the meeting included the following points:

• The committee started to consider the growth on US 98 corridor, west of Perry, close in to town. The members believed the Jerkins area will grow with or without services and housing. Future development will build around current strip. One member had concerns about wetlands development during wet season in that area. It was brought up that infrastructure and families already exist, but may need improvement. The consensus of the group was that growth west of town would not be solely 1 unit/1 acre as current, but could get denser, especially with affordable housing. In the end, the red dots were placed around the outside of town.
• Shady Grove, located along the north border of the county, will be a “bedroom” community for Tallahassee. The committee opted for placing 1 unit/1 acre chips in this area to match the type of subdivision development expected south of Tallahassee.
• Committee was pointing to the coast between Steinhatchee and Keaton beach for a large amount of growth.
• Developments are already backing up to Steinhatchee. As a result, more intense units are expected.
• People will choose living near the beach because living twenty miles from coast is not a big deal compared to conditions up north.
• One committee member questioned future impacts on Golf Course Road. Other members pointed out the existing growth, such as the “Back 9” subdivision, with intensities near 1 unit/1 acre or 1 unit/2 acres.
• Travel will occur through Mayo from Pine Ridge, on way to I-10.
• Some growth will occur between the beach towns across from state owned land.
• US 221 is easiest way to I-10 from Taylor County.
• The committee was challenged by the facilitators to think about what has already been built and to use existing infrastructure.
• Ideas were expressed about using downtown and centering things as reference.
• Leisure retreats are already filling up north of Keaton beach and continuing to grow.
• Development near prison will occur (probably manufactured housing).
• One committee member stated that they should look at Salem (1 unit/2 acres).
• There are already some multi-use units in Steinhatchee.
• Most concentration is around the coast, near the water and the leisure retreats, which are built on cheaper lands.
• There could be a conservation area in center of county because it is owned by Buckeye (1 unit /20 acres).
• Northeast of Perry will be 1 unit/10 acres or 1 unit/5 acres.
• Areas closer to Perry will be more intense.
• There will be increased density along beach on top of what is already there.
• North of Perry to have housing along US 27.
• There will not be development right on county line, but closer to CR 14.
• Northwest part of county does not include enough development or density.  Additional units should be added at 4 units/1 acre.

Summary of Results

• 1 unit/20 acre in center of county? – This development could be popular because existing ownership and ease of agriculture zoning and politically hassle free approval process.
• Coastline? – This development will be popular because of access to water and the highways. Development will probably be a mix of permanent residents and vacation homes.
• Steinhatchee? – This is and will be a unique town. Expect the construction of resorts, which would be supported by the influx of people from Georgia. Utility services should be available in the near future. There is expected to be a large number of vacation homes.
• North? – Tallahassee growth will encourage cheaper developments near the county line and along CR 14.
• High density in Northwest? – This is highly desirable are to live but little space due to conservation areas and wetlands.
• A large horse ranch in Lafayette County near US 27 will influence the type of growth and density on the east side of the county. This should lend it self to densities close to 1 unit/10 acres.

Committee Opinions of the Process and the Final Results

• Chip game map relates to what is in place currently and follows the trend.
• Currently, there is development without a plan or vision.  The trend will follow that.
• The chip game plan is bad.  For example, the committee would love to keep Steinhatchee a sleepy little town.
• Small town feel can be preserved through keeping restrictions and placing growth north of Steinhatchee.
• Hunter crowd may object to this chip game plan, which eliminates hunting areas.
• Committee was asked why there was little development placed between US 98 & US 27. Their answer was that it was that there was not much growth there now, so they didn’t really take time to think about it.
• Members wanted more people in Perry to attract businesses
• Committee wanted clean industry that would not harm future family or the environments. They are looking for something like Gainesville.

The issues raised during this discussion can be added to the issues raised previously by the committee:

• There is currently a perceived correlation between the “grade level” designations of the schools and the recruitment ability for workforce in Taylor County (i.e. doctors, surgeons, upper management, etc.).
• Ten percent of the geographical area of the county is not within a ten mile radius of an existing fire station; similarly, all EMS coverage is based either in Perry or Steinhatchee.
• Access to recreational facilities, such as the existing county-owned sports complex, is limited only to organized events and participants.
• Bicycling and pedestrian routes are not available, both along the coastline for recreation and within Perry for travel to school.
• New development will require school capacity to increase four-fold by 2060, but it may not produce a variety of choices, such as private and charter schools.
• Increase in traffic will require improvements to roadway system.  At the same time, traffic may be either routed around Perry or congest downtown to a standstill.
• Development without urban services boundaries can be wide spread and overtax these services, including water, wastewater, solid waste, police, fire, and EMS.
• Retirees will demand new businesses and expanded healthcare services.
• New development may upset the safe environment and small-town feel of the city and the county.
• Airport expansion may be needed and/or demanded by new development.

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