If you’ve ever wondered why folks in our community feel like developments are being snuck through the back door, I present to you, Exhibit A: A 1,227 acre development that’s moving quickly through the approval process and virtually no one from the public is aware of it. It’s the next phase of Welaunee, called the Arch, and is even larger than the 900-acre “Heel”/Talis Trails currently underway.

The owner submitted their rezoning application on July 13, and if it sails through its two reviews, it will be up for a vote before the City Commission in October. Representatives for the landowner say there are “no immediate plans or buyers”. Nevertheless, they’re seeking to get it rezoned using a “conceptual” Planned Unit Development (PUD) that estimates 6,591 residential units and 425,000 sq ft of commercial space will be built. However, these numbers may still grow. The Concept PUD states the estimates are “informational only” and do not reflect the maximum densities allowed.

Here’s my issue: The public has had virtually no opportunity to review this proposal. The landowner held one open house, and I received notice for it just the day before. When I questioned the lack of public input, I was told public input occurred in 2021 on the broader Welaunee Master Plan – not on the detailed Concept PUD now under review. They also pointed out that residents can make comments at Monday’s meeting…on a proposal that most people don’t know exists and can’t find online.

Decisions of this magnitude should not be made in virtual secret. The public – especially those who will be directly impacted – should be given a meaningful opportunity to review the proposal, understand its traffic, environmental and fiscal impacts, and ask questions BEFORE zoning decisions are made.

If you find this troubling, please join me in emailing the Development Review Committee before 5:00 p.m. this Friday, August 7, and ask them to postpone consideration of the Welaunee Arch Concept PUD until the public has had adequate time to review and respond to it. Please also tell others this is happening and encourage them to do the same.

You can find a web page explaining what’s proposed, why this decision matters and provided the zoning department’s contact information so that you can make your voice heard here: BeforeWeBuildTLH.org/Welaunee

Good planning requires transparency and our community deserves better than this.

Welaunee Arch Concept Plan – 1,227 Acre Development