Baker County approves Cedar Creek development deal

By MELISSA BURNSED

BAKER COUNTY, FL - Following two years of negotiations and meetings with county and state officials, Adrian Developers won unanimous approval, from the Baker County Board of Commissioners, for their massive new Cedar Creek development project. County Manager Joe Cone called the deal, "A historic event…that will change the shape of our community."

The county’s first development of regional impact (DRI) project will bring over 6,000 new rooftops to the rural community west of Jacksonville. Cedar Creek will be located off US90, at Claude Harvey Road between Glen Saint Mary and Sanderson. Most of those homes will be restricted to inhabitants 55 and over, as the developers target the rapidly expanding baby boomer generation of retirees.

"We are excited and honored after two years of working on this with your staff…Out of all the DRI’s we have done, this is one that exemplifies the process and should be a role model for all others in the future," said Adrian representative Reggie Bouthilier Jr., during Mondays’ county board meeting.

During the development company presentation of the projects scope and benefits to Baker County, engineering consultant Tony Robbins said, "This project represents a true turning point for Baker County… There will be no surprises for residents about what is coming for the next 15 to 20 years out there. This will be one holistic community. We don’t want to change the rural atmosphere of Baker County. That atmosphere is one of the main reasons for our bringing this retirement village concept to the area. We think it will blend together well."

The developers plans show recreational, retail and commercial centers along with the residential components. Among the envisioned establishments are golf courses, shops, movie theaters and restaurants.

Robbins and County Planning and Zoning Director Ed Preston summarized the negotiated development agreement that includes $75 million in mitigation funds for the projects impact. While the lion’s share of funds, $39 million, go to the expansion and improvement of state roads, Baker County will reap a windfall of new dollars for infrastructure projects that cover a broad spectrum.

County roadways that will be directly impacted by the traffic generated by the new residents are scheduled for paving and widening. There are four options specified in the agreement that developers and state and county officials will decide upon as the traffic patterns emerge.

Funding for new public safety officers (police and fire), along with equipment and facilities for those officers is allotted. A new elementary school and additional student station dollars for existing schools are scheduled once the new homes start being permitted. Park land and other amenities will also be created under the negotiated agreement. A 40 bed hospital-type care facility is included, along with land set aside for a branch of a community college.

New central water and sewer utility systems will be the developers responsibility including insuring that there is sufficient capacity to service adjoining other new developments. First phase funds for the purchase and development of an off site industrial area, to create jobs

was another key concession won through the negotiation process.

"Baker County is getting their due above and beyond what others have done," said Robbins regarding the negotiated settlement. He added, "The county is standing at the vanguard to be ready for those boomers and to be able to accommodate them."

Preston closed by recommending approval. "The package is viable, sound, progressive and the plans provide Baker County with a complete new town," he said.

Baker County officials and residents initially were very vocal in opposition to the DRI proposal. But the South Florida development firm was able to change the communities opinion through multiple educational public meetings, where they tried to answer every concern and question about the project. In a complete turn around from the DRI’s first public hearing, at Monday’s final hearing before the commission vote not one person spoke in opposition to the project.

After their vote to accept the development agreement, the entire commission praised their staff for the long hours they had devoted to protecting the best interests of the county and its’ residents.

Commissioner Mike Grifffis, who began serving his term of office just as the project emerged said while thanking the county employees, "This is the way to grow…It’s good to learn from your mistakes, but it’s better to learn from others and that’s what we did by carefully evaluating other communities DRI deals."