10:16 a.m.
ALACHUA COUNTY - The public is encouraged to attend a workgroup meeting for the Rutledge Community and Neighborhood Plan (CNP), which will be held Tuesday, October 17 at 6:30 pm at Santa Fe Community College Main Campus, 3000 NW 83d St., Building S, Room 326. The topic is the issue of sidewalks and bike paths.
The boundaries of the planning area are NW 39th Avenue to the north, NW 23rd Avenue to the south, NW 43rd Street to the east, and NW 83rd Street to the west. Rutledge was selected as the pilot area for the Community and Neighborhood Planning Program in early 2006 by the Board of County Commissioners.
At an initial Rutledge community meeting held in May 2006 the priority issues were identified:
* Paved/Graded Roads
* Sidewalks/ Bikepaths
* Natural Areas/ Recreation/ Open Space
* Development Density & Growth
* Stormwater/ Drainage
* Transportation Capacity
"The fourth workgroup meeting will provide planning staff with the input necessary to finalize the draft community plan," said Kathleen Pagan, AICP, Senior Planner, Dept. of Growth Management.
The 2001-2020 Alachua County Comprehensive Plan, the Countys adopted long range document to guide decision-making related to land use, requires the CNP to incorporate the community and neighborhood vision and goals and shall include provisions to:
* Enhance the communitys livability
* Protect the character of the neighborhood
* Provide amenities for neighborhood residents
* Plan for neighborhood traffic management
* Protect natural resources