Palencia Community Association, Inc. – Official Petition to Oppose Annexation and Proposed Residential Development

Related Applications: City of Venice Annexation 25-06AN, Comprehensive Plan Amendment 25-08CP, Zoning Map Amendment 25-08RZ

We, the undersigned homeowners and residents of the Palencia Community Association, Inc. and surrounding neighborhoods, hereby express our formal opposition to the proposed annexation and potential residential development of the parcel of land located directly behind our community and immediately adjacent to the legally protected wetland mitigation preserve.

Concerns and Potential Impacts

This proposed annexation and development raise significant concerns regarding the long-term environmental, safety, and quality-of-life impacts on our community, including but not limited to:

• Potential harm to the wetland mitigation preserve, including disruption to protected and threatened species, such as sandhill cranes.
• Increased traffic and congestion on local roads and neighborhood access points.
• Construction and extension of Ewing Drive behind existing homes, fundamentally altering the privacy and tranquility of affected properties.
• Loss of natural green buffer space that currently separates residential areas from the preserve.
• Negative impact on property values due to increased density, noise, and reduced natural buffers.
• Changes to the character, appearance, and safety of the neighborhood as a result of intensified development.

Petition Request

We respectfully request that the City of Venice Planning Commission and the City of Venice City Council:

1. Deny the proposed annexation and residential development, OR, if denial is not immediately granted:
2. Require a comprehensive environmental impact study, including formal evaluation of the wetland mitigation preserve and all protected species within it;
3. Require a full traffic impact analysis, including modeling of projected congestion and roadway safety implications;
4. Require a detailed community impact study assessing short- and long-term effects on residents, property values, public safety, and neighborhood character;
5. Ensure full public transparency and robust resident involvement in all stages of review.

Resident Support

By signing this petition, residents affirm that preserving the environmental integrity, safety, and quality of life within Palencia and its surrounding neighborhoods is of utmost importance and urge city officials to take all necessary actions to prevent or fully and fairly evaluate the proposed development.