- April 24, 2024
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Residents say the proposed project would decrease property values and cause traffic congestion throughout the neighborhood.
One resident said the traffic will be too congested. Another resident suggested the city or residents buy the property and develop a park. Other residents said it would decrease property values. No matter the reason, it appeared to be unanimous among all residents at the Aug. 8 informational meeting: The proposed Sawgrass Villas project is not welcome in the L-section.
The land is owned by Putnam State Bank, and the bank is considering erecting a 50-unit multi-family housing development. The development would be between Leidel and Lee drives.
Under the current project proposal, the development would include nine two-story buildings. The number of units per building would range between five and six, with each building being 5,545 square feet.
It’s not clear whether the units would be apartments or condominiums. Homeowners in the L-section fear that it could become low-income housing, or Section 8 housing. If that happens, many fear property values would decrease, at a time when most homeowners have lost half their property values in the past five years. According to the current plans, there would be only one entrance into the development — via the cul-de-sac on Leidel Drive.
The city of Palm Coast’s Land Development Code requires that at least one neighborhood meeting be held with property owners in close proximity of a proposed development project, to present project details and to receive feedback from neighbors.
One resident stood up at the Monday night meeting and asked if anyone was in favor of the project. No one out of the 200 attendees raised his or hand.
The primary purpose of the meeting was for the attorney and consulting firm to hear various solutions proposed by residents.
City Council member Frank Meeker presides over District 2, which covers Matanzas Woods. It’s a new district for Meeker, having been his area since last month, when the city redrew the lines.
At the meeting, several residents wondered what the process was for the zoning of the property.
According to Jay Livingston, the attorney representing Putnam State Bank, the area was originally zoned for single-family use when it was designed by ITT Corp. in the 1970s. However, the land was bought by a developer and the land-use designation was changed to multi-family use.
When Palm Coast incorporated as a city in 1999, the designation approved by the county remained intact.
Livingston concedes that the project isn’t set in stone, and part of the process is to hear alternatives from the residents.
“We’re open-minded about this project,” Livingston told the crowd. “We’re here to find a solution. Any solution to the problem needs to be put on the table.”
One resident said the project was a “done deal,” and that the meeting was a formality.
Livingston denied that accusation, but did say the bank “is willing to entertain offers in the $500,000 price range,” assuming the site plan for 50 units is approved.
Another option thrown out Monday night was for residents in the L-section to pool together and purchase the property with financial help from the city, state and federal governments. Other residents said the City Council should buy the property.
The decision goes before the Planning and Land Development Regulations Board, though — not the Palm Coast City Council.
“Right now, my job is to stay independent,” Meeker said. “I am not going to insert myself into the process; that’s not the role of the council.”
Residents seemed to balk at that response, feeling that this is an issue that their city government should be fighting for on their behalf.
Meeker replied: “I can tell you the truth or I can suck up to you. Which way do you guys want me to go?”
Many residents urged the City Council to eventually rezone the land.
Livingston said that rezoning can be initiated by either the landowner or the city.
“Planning is a science and it’s a difficult science,” Livingston said.
According to Ray Tyner, planning manager for the city, a rezoning process would have to be initiated by the applicant. It would first go to the planning board, which would then make a recommendation to City Council.
Tyner said that because the project is between 40 and 100 units, it would stay as a planning board process unless it was rezoned.
The next step in the process is for the project to go to the planning board.. The meeting was slated for Aug. 17; however, it will take place at a later date yet to be announced.
A neighborhood meeting will take place 6-7 p.m. Aug. 15, at the Flagler County Public Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway N.W. Residents are collecting hundreds of signatures for petitions that are against the entire project and for the city to rezone the land.
