ALACHUA ‒ The City of Alachua may soon be adding Cottage Neighborhood to its Land Development Regulations (LDRs). At the Sept. 27 Alachua City Commission meeting, Ryan Thompson of Causseaux, Hewett, & Walpole, Inc., proposed amendments to the City’s LDRs that would establish a new housing type, known as a Cottage Neighborhood, in the Corporate Park (CP) zoning district.

The Cottage neighborhood is a concept that incorporates housing and work locations in the same community as well as restaurants, retail and recreation in a planned community. Cottage homes located within cottage neighborhoods offer a potentially lower cost single-family detached housing than in traditional subdivisions and residents have the ability to reduce travel to work or use of vehicles, since all facilities would be within walking or biking distance.

Several factors distinguish cottage homes from other housing communities and include smaller lot size or no lots at all; the application of setbacks; building orientation and configuration; vehicle and pedestrian access with shops, work space and housing. Most cottage homes would be clustered around common greens area. This distinguishes the cottage homes concept by providing open space that is located adjacent to and in front of residential dwellings, rather than a more traditional development pattern where dwellings are located along a road. In addition, utility infrastructure and stormwater management facilities required to serve the development is less than required for traditional development.

The proposed amendments would permit cottage neighborhoods exclusively within the Corporate Park (CP) zoning district. Residential uses are only permitted within the CP zoning district if the lands zoned CP are comprised of at least 50 acres of contiguous land.

According the Thompson, the goal of the Cottage homes concept is to “accommodate a range of research and development, technology and life sciences/biotechnology industries, office, supporting retail, and complementary residential uses.” Two project areas that are currently being considered for the Cottage Neighborhood concept are San Felasco Tech City and University of Florida Foundation property located east of County Road 241.

In other City business, the Commission held the final hearing on the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget and approved three resolutions on the General City Purpose Ad Valorem Taxes for the 2021 Tax Year. The General Fund rolled-back rate is 5.1155 mills with the final millage rate set at 5.3900 mills. The Commission also approved the final Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget of $42,610,703.

The Commission has appointed two residents to vacant positions on the Senior Resources Advisory Board (SRAB). John E. Brown will serve a three-year term and Vida May Waters will serve a two-year term. The five-member board meets quarterly and serves in an advisory role to the City Commission by providing information on issues of importance to senior citizens in the community.

The City of Alachua has proclaimed October as American Pharmacists Month. In honor of pharmacists’ service to the community, Mayor Gib Coerper read a proclamation and then presented it to Alachua pharmacist William Garst, Pharm.D. The proclamation was in recognition of pharmacists as important members of a health care team with knowledge of medications, the effects they produce in a body, and how they interact or interfere with each other. In addition to safely providing medicine, pharmacists offer many other services as part of their commitment to helping patients live healthier lives. Pharmacists have also played an important role in the fight against COVID-19 by offering testing and vaccines at many locations. Currently there are over 300,000 licensed pharmacists throughout the country.

In a related health matter, the Newberry Opioid Task Force, appointed by the Newberry City Commission, provided information and requested support for their efforts in reducing the number of students who become drug users. Opioid addiction is a long-lasting chronic disease that can cause major health, social, and economic problems. Misuse of prescription opioids and heroin affects more than two million Americans and an estimated 15 million people worldwide each year. The prevalence of opioid misuse and addiction is rapidly increasing. Members of the task force are speaking at commission meetings throughout the county to garner support and funding.

The organization also plan to partner with radKIDS to implement a strategy and a plan to prevent addiction before it occurs. Since 2001, radKIDS has become the national leader in children’s safety education. The task force is requesting $10,000 in funding from the City of Alachua.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ North Florida now has five monoclonal antibody treatment centers, with High Springs opening a site on Aug. 24. at the Fellowship Church of High Springs. Monoclonal antibodies help the immune system recognize and respond more effectively to the COVID-19 virus. Vaccines are still the most effective preventative of infection or severity of symptoms, with over one billion people worldwide vaccinated.

Almost 40 percent of the U.S. population remains unvaccinated. While the vaccines are not 100 percent effective and there have been a few cases of severe reaction or death, these account for less than .001 percent of those who have received the vaccine. Safety concerns, misinformation, political bias, debates about free choice or lack of availability account for the numbers of unvaccinated.

The monoclonal treatment is not a replacement for the vaccine and only works to lessen the severity of those already diagnosed with COVID and showing mild symptoms. Governor Ron DeSantis has promoted this treatment as another tool to lessen severity of the Delta variant, and in August he ordered the rollout of 25 treatment sites including five in North Florida.

Monoclonal antibody treatment prevents serious illness and death among high-risk people such as the elderly, individuals who are overweight, diabetic or have compromised heart, lungs, kidneys or immune systems. The treatment is most effective when given early and the sooner it is given the better the results.

Those already hospitalized with COVID-19 issues are unable to receive the monoclonal antibody treatment because the effects are unknown. Clinical trials are currently underway to determine the safety of monoclonal antibodies in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The treatment consists of two injections in the stomach area and one in each arm or an intravenous feed.

The High Springs site, located in the church’s gymnasium, accommodates up to 300 patients. The Fellowship Church location currently sees roughly 150 to 200 patients each day, according to Paul Myers, Director of the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County. The church previously served as a COVID-19 vaccine location earlier in the year. Myers plans to keep the Alachua County site open as long as people need it.

According to Myers, the treatment is a free and painless option and is available to all eligible people, regardless of vaccination status, but should be administered as soon as possible after receiving a positive COVID test to be the most effective. The treatment only works for people already diagnosed with the virus and does not replace the vaccine as a method of preventing the virus.

Patients can receive this treatment without a prescription or referral if administered by an eligible health care provider. Such referrals are not required at any of the State of Florida monoclonal antibody treatment sites to treat non-hospitalized patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of clinical progression due to underlying conditions. Fellowship Church of High Springs is located at 16916 N.W. U.S. Highway 441. Although patients do not need an appointment for the treatment, appointments and additional information is available by calling 850-344-9637 or by visiting the patients portal at floridahealth.gov.

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NEWBERRY ‒ Although Dudley Farm Historic State Park is usually identified as being in Newberry by most area residents, it wasn’t. Now it is. On Sept. 27, the Newberry City Commission formally annexed the park into the city of Newberry.

The property, which is located at 18730 W. Newberry Road, has a Newberry mailing address. However, only a small portion of the park lands actually were officially in the city’s limits. Included in the 13 tax parcels officially annexed into the City were five parcels owned by the State of Florida consisting of approximately 256.253 acres. These parcels, which are located approximately one-half mile east of Northwest 202^nd Street on the north side of West Newberry Road, include Dudley Farms.

With the realization that the annexation of this historic site had finally been accomplished, Commissioners and audience members clapped in approval. Mayor Jordan Marlowe said the City had been working toward this outcome for some time and was delighted the City had achieved that goal.

All totaled, the City finalized the annexation of more than 600 acres of property to “strengthen contiguity and improve overall compactness of the municipal boundary in the various areas,” said Newberry Planner Wendy Kinser-Maxwell.

In other City business, the Commission narrowly approved the establishment of a water public service tax in a 3-2 vote, which will cost residents $1.48 per month. The funds are designed to produce revenue to be used for construction of roads in the downtown Newberry area. Commissioners Tim Marden and Monty Farnsworth voted “no” on this item.

Also approved was Ordinance 2021-45, authorizing the creation of a trust fund where revenues for the Newberry Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) district will be deposited.

This step moves the City closer to administering a CRA for Newberry, something that has taken the City and Alachua County several years to accomplish.

Also receiving approval was the final plat of Country Way Phase 4, which is expected to include 64 lots, re-plat approval of two lots owned by Pat Post to change their orientation from facing north onto Southwest 3^rd Avenue to facing east onto Southwest 251^st Street and a request by Celebrations Catering to allow the sale and consumption of beer, wine and hard seltzer during a one-day outdoor event at the Easton-Newberry Sports Complex.

Commissioners appointed Donald Long to serve the remainder of Bill Conrad’s term on the Planning and Zoning Board. His term will expire on April 30, 2022.

Several other financial items, which were heard initially at the Sept. 13 Commission meeting, were finalized. Commissioners adopted a final millage rate of 5.9999 mills, “which has remained at that millage rate for five years in a row,” said Assistant City Manager Dallas Lee. A final budget amount of $32,815,483 was established for fiscal year 2021-22.

Additional public hearings were conducted to set rates for electric, water, wastewater and solid waste during this meeting. During his presentation Lee presented a graphic of area water rates and commented, “Newberry has the lowest residential rates in the area.”

However, when it came to wastewater rates, resident Mary Gaffney asked the Commission to revisit the way wastewater was charged in Newberry. “People wash their cars and water their lawns with some of the water used and not all of it goes into the wastewater system,” she said. “I don’t think we should pay 100 percent of the water used for wastewater since it isn’t all going into the wastewater system.”

Commissioner Monty Farnsworth suggested the Commission look at this issue prior to setting next year’s rates. Mayor Marlowe said that wastewater requirements from the government are increasing by 500 percent and the City has to pay for those additional costs.

Marlowe suggested she address this issue during budget workshops for the next fiscal year’s budget. He also suggested she could reduce those costs at her home by having the City install an irrigation meter on her property to offset the amount of water going into the wastewater system. Following discussion Commissioners approved the wastewater rates.

City Manager Mike New said a workshop is scheduled for Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. to finalize the Strategic Plan so it could be put to paper. On Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. an educational workshop is scheduled to discuss impact fees.

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ALACHUA ‒ On Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 all across America, people came together in remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Certain events are of such a magnitude that they affect the consciousness of an entire population and live on in memories. This past Saturday, communities remembered the 9/11 attacks and honored those lost in the attacks and those lost and injured seeking to rescue victims. Locally, remembrance events included those in Alachua, High Springs and Gainesville where people recalled the events of that infamous day.

Tragic Events Unfolded

On that morning, four commercial airliners traveling from the northeastern U.S. to California were hijacked mid-flight by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists. The hijackers were organized into three groups of five hijackers and one group of four. Each group had one hijacker who had received flight training and took over control of the aircraft. Their goal was to crash each plane into a prominent American building, causing mass casualties and destruction of the targeted buildings.

The first plane to hit its target was American Airlines flight 11. It was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan at 8:46 a.m. At 9:03 a.m., the World Trade Center's South Tower was hit by United Airlines flight 175. Both 110-story towers collapsed within an hour and forty-two minutes, leading to the collapse of the other World Trade Center structures and significantly damaging surrounding buildings.

A third flight, American Airlines flight 77, crashed into the west side of the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m., causing a partial collapse of the building's side. The fourth, and final flight, United Airlines flight 93 was flown in the direction of Washington D.C. The plane's passengers had heard the news of the other planes’ fate and attempted to regain control of the aircraft away from the hijackers. They succeeded in diverting the flight from its intended target but it crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m. Investigators determined that Flight 93's target was either the White House or the U.S. Capitol.

The attacks stunned the nation, with 2,977 killed and over 25,000 injured. Many first responders died in the attack trying to rescue those trapped in the burning towers—343 firefighters and 72 police officers were killed when the towers collapsed. It was the first foreign attack on U.S. soil since 1814. Many of the survivors still suffer long-term health problems from the debris of the tower collapse and the subsequent rescue attempts and clean up.

The attacks led to the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq in an attempt to destroy the terrorist network, which resulted in the two longest wars in American history. The attack and its aftermath still haunt the nation. Every year the day is set aside to remember those who died, especially the brave first responders that gave their lives trying to save others and the heroic efforts of the passengers on Flight 93 who gave their lives to stop the hijackers. This year marked the 20^th anniversary of the attack and towns across America held ceremonies and memorials to honor all those who died.

Local Remembrance Ceremonies

The High Springs Fire Department and memorial organizer Leda Carrero worked in partnership with the High Springs Police Department and Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe to host a 20th anniversary memorial event in remembrance of the attacks. The event was held on the steps of the High Springs Fire Department with both High Springs fire and police on hand to honor their fallen fellow responders as well as citizens who gathered to honor all the casualties.

On Saturday, Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. the ceremony began. Those in attendance were asked to share their memories of that fateful day and half a dozen told their stories, still clear in their memory after 20 years. At 8:46 a.m., the exact time the first plane hit, bagpiper Ben Mowry played Amazing Grace in memory of those lost. The fire truck blew three long horn blasts and then a long moment of silent prayer. Several city officials and Chief of Police Antione Sheppard spoke. A wreath donated by Thompson's Flower shop decorated the stone memorial in honor of the 9/11 victims. High Springs K-9 officer and police dog Ceasar paid tribute to a plaque honoring service dogs that worked at the Trade Center wreckage looking for survivors and served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Trumpeter Vito Montauk played taps and vocalist Dani Mackinzie sang God Bless America as the ceremony ended.

In Alachua, a ceremony was held in front of City Hall with the flags at half-mast. City Manager Mike DaRoza opened the ceremony followed by remarks from Alachua County Fire Rescue officials who described the efforts and bravery of the firemen who rushed into the burning towers only thinking of saving others. Also offering remarks were Alachua Police Chief Chad Scott and Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr. Watson discussed the unity of purpose in the country after the attack and called upon the audience to remember that unity in these divisive times and strive to return to that united country. After each speaker, a silver bell was struck three times in memory of the first responders who died that day.

Other members of Alachua Fire Rescue gathered at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida. Their goal was to ascend the stadium steps 11 times in full gear to emulate the height that the firefighters had to climb in the burning towers trying to rescue the victims of the attack. Several hundred people joined them at the stadium in tribute for the annual event.

In the evening, the Alachua Military Support Group gathered at the High Springs Brewery in tribute to the soldiers who went on to fight the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, where over 2,372 paid the supreme price. All over America communities held events in memorial to that horrible day 20 years ago—a day that changed the world.

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