HIGH SPRINGS ‒ The High Springs City Commission has approved the site plan for Duke Energy’s proposed solar facility. In June 2021, Duke Energy announced plans to build a solar power plant on 700 acres in High Springs. At that time, company officials said that once operational, the 74.9-MW facility will consist of approximately 216,000 single-axis tracking solar panels and the plant will be capable of effectively producing enough electricity to power approximately 23,000 average-sized homes at peak production.

At the June 23, 2022 City Commission meeting, CHW’s Gerry Dedenbach represented Duke Energy to obtain approval for the solar power plant facility to be located on 735 +/- acres of property in the southwestern quadrant of High Springs.

Dedenbach presented an in-depth, step-by-step assessment of Duke’s plan listing each plan review and approval that had been obtained during the process leading up to a request that would result in a zoning change of the property and place it under the City’s regulations rather than the County. As part of that review process the Planning Board also reviewed the application and unanimously recommended approval to the City Commission.

City Manager Ashley Stathatos reported that the site plan had been reviewed by the City Engineer and the site plan review committee. She said the plan has been found to be safely planned and that it meets all applicable City regulations.

The Commission approved on first reading 4-0 an ordinance amending the text of the City’s Land Development Code creating the AG Agriculture Zoning District. Commissioner Ross Ambrose abstained from voting as his company will likely be involved in the construction aspect of the solar array facility.

An additional ordinance also impacting the Duke Energy property was approved on first reading to amend the Future Land Use Plan Map and change the Land Use Classification from County Rural/Agriculture to City Agriculture on the 735 +/- acres south of Northwest 174^th Avenue. To the north, south and west of the property is County Rural/Agriculture and to the east of the property is City Rural Residential.

Transitioning from County AG to City AG is a compatible land use change. The AG District is intended to depict those areas of the City that are characterized as rural/agriculture in nature. “This is a zoning district referenced in the Comprehensive Plan and, as such, needs to be created,” said Stathatos.

As a large-scale amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the proposed ordinance must be forwarded to the state of Florida for review. If no comments are received by the state agencies within 31 days, the ordinance will be considered for second reading by the City Commission.

An additional ordinance to amend the Official Zoning Map and rezone the 735 +/- acres of Duke Energy tax parcels from County Agricultural to City Agriculture was also approved on first reading, but is contingent on state and City approval of the previous ordinance.

To the north, south and west of the property is County Agricultural and to the east of the property is City R-1. Duke Energy’s proposed solar power facility is allowed by right in County and in the City’s AG. Rezoning the property will put it under City regulations rather than County regulations.

By state statute the City may enforce buffer and landscape requirements for solar facilities, but that those requirements may not exceed the requirements for similar uses in agriculture land use and zoning categories.

“Since the City does not have another solar facility,” she said, “staff researched a variety of ordinances from other cities. The buffers and landscaping in this site plan exceeded the requirements in other city ordinances.”

Dedenbach said there is a 150-foot setback around the perimeter of the facility and a 50-foot vegetative buffer as well. Near the residential neighborhood to the east, there is a 100-foot vegetative buffer.

As part of citizen comments on the issue, a list of suggested landscaping items was produced by Janet Evans. Todd Yoho said he had met with project manager Cory Graham, and he seemed agreeable to plant in such a way as to block the solar panels.

Dedenbach emphasized that the site plan is an enforceable document and Stathatos stressed that City staff would follow up to ensure that the plans were enforced.

Vanessa Goff of Duke Energy said they would conduct a preconstruction site visit and would give citizens more say as to the buffering plants used.

Commissioner Linda Jones made a motion to approve the site plan with Vice Mayor Gloria James seconding the motion. The motion was approved 3-1 with Commissioner Katherine Weitz casting the dissenting vote saying she wanted more detailed information. Commissioner Ambrose abstained from voting.

The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for July 14 at 6:30 p.m.

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• Think LOST, not STRAY.  Many animals never return home because the finder assumes the animal has been abandoned or dumped when the animal has just accidentally gotten out.
• Their owner may be frantically looking for their pet but doesn't know the best way to go about it. Pets that have been out for even a short time may start to look neglected and may appear frightened or skittish, giving the impression that they were abused or abandoned.
• Secure the pet, look for any injuries, and provide water. Note the exact location you found the pet. If possible, walk the pet around the neighborhood, asking others if they recognize it.
• Check for an identifying rabies tag or name tag. Call and text the owners OR call AR&C with the rabies tag number.
• Check for a microchip at any vet clinic.
• Take a photo of the pet in good lighting. Get a front-on nose shot that shows the pet's face and complete a “Found Pet” form on https://24petconnect.com/.
• After filling out the “Found Pet” form, please also post the found pet on your neighborhood and local lost and found social media pages.
• Gainesville Pet Finder is one of Alachua County’s main Lost and Found Facebook groups
• along with https://NextDoor.com, where you can post specific to your neighborhood.
• Do not mention gender or collar details. Remember, the goal is to locate the owner, not re-home the pet immediately. If you are contacted by another person directly claiming to be the owner, ask for proof of ownership before returning the pet. If you aren't sure what to do, contact AR&C for assistance.
• Post signs in the neighborhood. Include a photo and your contact info.

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ALACHUA – Winning teams got bragging rights as well as prizes during the Alachua Chamber of Commerce’s Sportsfest Golf Tournament June 18 at the Turkey Creek Golf Course in Alachua. In a long running tradition, area teams participated in the 32^nd annual event sponsored by the City of Alachua Chamber of Commerce.

Area golfers began the scramble early Saturday morning in shotgun style. Teams of four players each played as best ball scramble, each group using the best shot of their team’s four shots for the following shots to pin. The teams worked their way around the course at Turkey Creek for about four hours completing 18 holes.

New Generation Builders lay claim to the winning shootout team with players Mitch Hall, Devon Ross, Sam Stark and Scottie Langford. Santa Fe River Ranch nabbed 1st place gross while New Generation Builders took 2nd place gross and Capital City Bank came in with 3rd place gross.

The winners for net were Conestogas taking 1st place net, Edward Jones - Ed Potts -Matt Surrency taking 2nd place net and Easy Dumpster claiming 3rd place net.

While the golfers undoubtedly enjoyed their time on the course, it was also for a good cause. Funds raised from this tournament have typically supported youth in the community through City of Alachua Legacy Park Recreation programs. Over the past several years, tournament funds were donated to the Alachua branch library for enhanced study space.

The Chamber also recently donated $15,000 to provide cases for the laptops and computers that were provided to all elementary and middle school students in Alachua. They will also fund any needed replacements and provide for new students each year.

“While our chamber focus is on supporting our local business community, we also want to be a partner with the city and our community service organizations to improve our schools,” said Alachua Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Sportsfest Committee Chair Ed Potts. “None of this would be possible without the support of our long-term sponsors, particularly Dollar General and Capital City Bank.”

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