We, the concerned residents and dedicated community members of the South End, come together to protect the essence of our neighborhood. It is crucial to ensure that the proposed development at 8111 South Dixie Highway aligns with our community's vision.

For years, the South End community has actively participated in discussions and provided valuable feedback to shape the development of 8111 South Dixie Highway. After extensive negotiations, Flagler Development's original proposal, featuring 210 apartments and a Trader Joe's, ignited excitement and optimism throughout our neighborhood.

However, our support waned as the project's plans were dramatically altered. We now face the prospect of 358 units (a 70% increase) and the absence of a grocery store. This not only undermines the initial vision but offers no benefit to our community at all. Standing at 8 stories, it will be out of character with surrounding buildings, overburden our schools and infrastructure and bring even more unwelcome congestion.

Other neighborhoods along Dixie have seen thoughtful, complementary development, such as Casa Mara in El Cid, where 300 units were built on 10 acres and restricted to 3 stories. Additionally, a newly proposed development on Belvedere has already met resistance due to its potential height exceeding two stories. Why is the South End being made to accept a development with 8 stories, 358 units, on 6.5 acres? This density contradicts the scale of developments further north and disrupts the existing character of our community.

It's worth noting that the adjacent Winn-Dixie shopping center has received a zoning change from the commission to allow 685 units should the new owners choose to develop it. At a minimum, this would add 1,043 new units in total, or even more if further variances are made for workforce housing. The projected population influx risks altering our community beyond recognition.

We call upon the City Commission to protect our South End neighborhood by not allowing the modification of plans for 8111 South Dixie Highway. Let's ensure that the development aligns with our community's original vision, one that is in harmony with our predominantly two-story, single-family neighborhood. Allowing this project to proceed opens up our community to unabated development of 8 story buildings. Sign this petition to make your voice heard and join us in safeguarding the South End's future.

Together, we can prevent the overdevelopment that threatens to compromise our South End community's character. Let's stand as one, ensuring that our neighborhood remains a place that can grow sustainably and keep the character of the South End we all love.

Sign and share this petition, and let's shape the future of our beloved South End together.