In a shocking decision, the Bunnell City board voted 3-2 to resurrect the 8,000-home Reserve at Haw Creek development that the board had rejected just two weeks prior at the close of its meeting on Monday night, in front of a largely empty chamber. The agenda did not include the item.
Commissioner Pete Young made the motion without question or protest after Mayor Catherine Robinson pushed it. However, on June 9, Young was part of the 3-2 majority that rejected the proposal. On Monday morning, Robinson had spent three hours in meetings with the developer and the municipal manager. According to her, the developer was ready to present an updated plan that addresses public concerns.
According to Young, he met with Alvin Jackson, the city manager, and other individuals on Friday to talk about the development and to express his support for Haw Creek, provided that it made specific adjustments. In an interview today, Young stated, “I met with our people and the city manager.” He did not know whether the developer was present. All I know is that I told them what I wanted to see, and they said, “Okay, we’ll let them know.”
The request to reconsider was approved 3-2 after Young’s reversal, and Commissioners David Atkinson and John Rogers appeared too shocked to react. After the vote and the gavel to adjourn the meeting, Rogers left the room without saying anything to anyone.
Shock was also felt by several of the few remaining audience members. The day before the commission meeting, Allison Nobles, a resident of Bunnell, called the city clerk to inquire about any updates regarding the Reserve at Haw Creek. She was informed that there was none, so she said, “I’m shocked that we’re at the end of today’s meeting, hearing that there is new news, so to speak.”
When the hearing began at 7 p.m., the commission chamber at the Government Services Building was packed with over 100 individuals, most of whom were there to voice their objections to a proposed rezoning of about 1,300 acres from agricultural to industrial categories. Since that plan is being reorganized, the rezoning application that was on the schedule was removed.
Robinson told the audience that prior to the public comment period. “I’m just being transparent with you so you know how this process is operating,” she said. Although the majority of those opposed to the rezoning were equally concerned about and opposed to the Haw Creek development, she failed to inform the audience that she would be requesting a move on the development.
Most people filed out after nearly an hour of speakers opposing the rezoning. After that, the commission focused on the items on its agenda. Including individual commissioners’ reports on meetings they’ve attended, it took a total of twenty minutes.
She was caught off guard by Robinson just before 8:30 p.m.
“I have a request based on a meeting with the Northeast Florida developers and city staff regarding the Haw Creek development to address the concerns of the commission and the public,” the mayor stated. To proceed with the development agreement, I would like a motion to reexamine the rezoning application’s denial.
Young interrupted her before she could finish: Madam Mayor
“May I have a motion to reconsider this for the next available meeting in August?” Robinson spoke over him.
Young repeated, without a pause,: Madame Mayor, I would like to propose a motion to reexamine this reserve at Haw Creek development. Sechrist gave a second. The lawyer informed them that the motion required a reexamination of the development agreement as well as the anticipated unit development. Young self-corrected.
Young stated during today’s interview, “I was hoping it would come up.” Even though he didn’t bring it up during the commissioners’ remarks phase, I wanted it to be mentioned.
According to Robinson, the developer wants to submit a development agreement or PUD again, though I’m not sure which one. However, there have been some changes made to the presentation, and they wish to reevaluate and provide representation.
Given that current residents on the development’s periphery have expressed dissatisfaction over apartment buildings looming over their properties, Jackson stated in an interview today that the developer is prepared to reevaluate the number of housing units and address the placement of duplexes and apartment buildings. Young’s main focus is that as well. I am adaptable. They will have my vote if they produce the items I desire. “But I’m adaptable,” Young stated.
David Atkinson, the commissioner, remained silent. He was unable to attend during the first week of August, so he just wanted to make sure the item wouldn’t be returned. Rogers also remained silent. Regarding the move for reconsideration, he stated in a text message today: “I didn’t vote for it or support it because it wasn’t clearly listed on the agenda.” There was no listing for it.
Larry Rogers informed the panel that this room would be a surprise. He was one of maybe ten persons who were still present in the room. Rogers, who had no connection to the commissioner, had been instrumental in the fight against Haw Creek. He expressed his astonishment at the unconventional tactic to the commissioners and questioned how the developer had persuaded them to grant the reconsideration. He inquired, “Why is the commission coming two weeks later, without any notice, and none of us, I don’t think, had any idea that this was coming, considering allowing a reconsideration of this without any distribution of information?”
All I can say is that I strongly advise this panel to vote against this change or reconsideration at this time. Rogers returned to the platform after his first remark, saying, “Makes absolutely no sense to anybody else in this room.” We all understand that it will return, and that’s okay, but I believe that doing it this way is a farce given all of the work and events over the past two years. And I would strongly advise our municipal authorities to tell this group that now is not the right time. It’s not the right location. In order to prevent us from experiencing what we have in the past two years, we will not push it back onto the agenda. Instead, we will undertake an evaluation and include the public.
Bunnell planning board member Cory Romaniuk, who backed the proposal when it came before his board, endorsed the reconsideration, claiming that the vote two weeks ago was founded on numerous errors. Former city commissioner Bonita Robinson backed the reconsideration as well, saying the city is in dire straits. According to her, the planned construction will bring in money for the city’s infrastructure.
Robinson defended the action. We’ll see when they return. The idea is to bring it up for reconsideration based on the meeting we had this morning, the mayor said, and the concessions the developer has made in an effort to salvage this product project for the community’s benefit and for the concerns raised. But people will notice this. It will be public. This isn’t a gotcha situation. It s just the ability for our board, if they vote for it, to put it back on the agenda.
