Readers comment on Gainesville zoning changes, a Newberry Road development and more
First step
A headline in The Sun’s Aug. 7 edition read: “Can market balance profits with planet?” The article contemplated whether private business will adjust its business model to reduce carbon emissions and the role government plays.
The question is an important one and illustrates the dilemma facing Gainesville right now. How will our “tree city of the world” balance its constituents' desires with the fiscal needs of the city and the resulting impacts on the environment? The pros and cons I’ve seen regarding exclusionary zoning fail to address the environmental impact of perpetuating outdated land-use plans that increase the carbon footprint.
Our federal, state and local governments have yet to make significant changes to mitigate against the impacts of climate change. We can hire a resiliency specialist and we can promise carbon neutral by 2030, but changes have to be made in order to achieve those goals.
Ending exclusionary zoning might not be popular, but it helps reduce the city’s carbon emissions and improves public health, while creating more affordable housing options. It isn’t the only step we can take, but it is a first step toward adjusting an unsustainable municipal planning model that is outdated and carbon heavy.
Lisa Blythe, Newberry
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Political spin
I’d like to congratulate the political spinsters who have successfully twisted the narrative of this single-family zoning issue, calling it now “exclusionary” zoning. Not surprisingly, it was reported that the few people in support of the vote to pass the plan were identified as students. No doubt they were triggered by the word “exclusionary” and will, of course, crusade against anything they are told is racist.
Funny thing is, the vast majority of Black people don’t think it has anything to do with racism. And many of many of the people protesting the vote to end single-family zoning on Thursday were Black. They clearly understand it has nothing to do with racism and everything to do with surrendering their neighborhoods to the greed of developers. In fact, the only thing racist is the notion that Black people will stand to benefit the most by making more duplexes and rental properties available in northwest Gainesville.
Why is it that white people in power like Mayor Lauren Poe like to use racism as a tool to manipulate the public narrative? Stop gaslighting the issue, Mr. Poe. Gainesville residents of all races need to stand up to this nonsense and restore single-family zoning.
Mike Webber, Gainesville
Stick to the facts
In a recent Sun article about the proposed elimination of single-family zoning in Gainesville, the writer offers a textbook example of how media can seek to influence reader perception. The article begins as a straight news story of keen local interest, with quotes from various interested parties. It then summarizes how the proposed zoning change would impact neighborhoods by mentioning the number of additional residential units allowable based upon lot size
So far, a good news story. Then, in reporting on support for the measure by four current commissioners, the writer characterized the proposed change as “allowing a slight increase in density in single-family neighborhoods.”
A slight increase? That does not describe what is being considered, but apparently the writer seeks to influence my perception such that this effort is cast as “nothing much to see here.”
Reporters should stick to reporting, and — other than on the opinion page — stories should be news, not opinion. Please report the facts and trust me to assimilate them absent your effort to can't my perception.
Thomas Lane, Gainesville
Development plan
Here we go again! If you live anywhere west of Interstate 75, you will want to read this. The large parcel of land on Newberry Road and Fort Clarke Boulevard has a “sale pending” sign. In February 2021, a county representative wrote me that the county was discussing the potential sale with an interested buyer.
In the July 29 edition of The Sun, there is an announcement of a virtual “neighborhood workshop” regarding land use for a roughly 89-acre parcel of land at that location. The current potential land use is described as “a mixture of uses including residential, retail opportunities and a hotel."
The workshop is scheduled for Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. It can be accessed via zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84114533741, or at call-in number 1-929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 841 1453 3741.
Please keep in mind that this is the same parcel that the Florida Department of Transportation determined several years ago was not suitable for residential/commercial building due to the roads not being able to effectively or efficiently handling the traffic. This was several years ago and both the traffic and the roads have only become worse. Please pass this information along and tune in to the workshop.
Myrna Neims, Gainesville
The governor’s hypocrisy
A record report in The Sun on Gov. Ron DeSantis' firing of State Attorney Andrew Warren was thorough but has one significant omission. It should have pointed out the governor's hypocrisy.
Yes, the governor has an argument that state attorneys should not have political motives when deciding which law breakers they will prosecute. But last year, when Cuban protestors blocked the Palmetto Expressway in Miami for hours, no one was arrested, let alone prosecuted. And DeSantis fired no one.
In fact, he justified their flouting of the law which he had recently pushed through the Florida Legislature. As the Washington Post reported, "At the signing ceremony, the governor called the measure “'he strongest anti-rioting, pro-law-enforcement piece of legislation in the country.'"
“Just think about it, you’re driving home from work, and all of a sudden, you have people out there shutting down a highway, and we worked hard to make sure that didn’t happen in Florida,” DeSantis said. “They start to do that, [then] there needs to be swift penalties.”
Does anyone doubt that if Black Lives Matter protestors had blocked a major expressway for hours they would have been prosecuted? Or else the state attorney would have been fired.
Geoff Pietsch, Gainesville
Freedom of religion
The Founders wrote the Constitution; not the apostles. They added the Bill of Rights; not the Ten Commandments. Their intent was freedom of religion. It was not control by religion.
They created a democracy; not a theocracy. Christianity is not a political party.
Richard F. Hill, Alachua
Election pieces online
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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Letters on Gainesville zoning changes, Newberry Road development, more
