Petition to stop the Rezoning Request for Hudson Lakes PUD

Located on the corner of Portland Ave. and Nugget Ln Tallahassee FL, 32303
 

The proposed rezoning: TRZ240011 - Is located immediately south of Interstate 10, north of Portland Avenue, and approximately 1,200 feet west of Old Bainbridge Road (TAX ID# 2115206060000). The proposed project is an amendment to the Official Zoning Map from the Single-Family and Two-Family Residential (R-3) Zoning District to the Planned Unit Development (PUD) Zoning District. The PUD (Hudson Lakes Apartment Planned Unit Development) proposes a 255-unit multi-family residential development. The property is zoned R-3 (Single-Family and Two-Family Residential). We, the undersigned, kindly request that the City of Tallahassee Planning Department Deny this request for rezoning.   

Regarding the request to rezone our neighborhood made by Tallahassee Portland LTD. (Zachary Gottfried) and Spectra Engineering and Research (Peter Okonkwo P.E). I am writing to express the concerns of residents of Charleston Square, Portland Townhomes, Astoria Park, Hartsfield Hills, Talco Hills, and other impacted Neighborhoods. 

 Our Neighborhood does not need additional luxury Apartments or low-income Apartments. There are multiple (available) affordable options within walking distance to the proposed location. These existing options have bus stops at or near their entrances and ample parking on their property. Tallahassee Portland LTD. (Zachary Gottfried)’s proposed rentals are extraordinarily overpriced compared to the local rental market, with a starting price of $1,242 for a studio and up to $1,845 for a 3 Bedroom.

The Developer uses the prospect of public access to “amenities” located within the development. The “amenities” as currently proposed would be a horseshoe shaped walking path behind 4 story apartments yards to the south of I-10 and the High-tension power lines. Additional “amenities” offered are a “tot lot” and a “pickleball court”.  As a member of this community, I would not allow my child to go into a fenced neighborhood and play behind 4-story apartments where they could not be seen from my home or even the road, let alone near the interstate and near High tension power lines. Additionally with the developer looking to add 255 multi-family units an increase in up to in this parcel (currently zoned for 80 Single-Family and Two-Family Residential (R-3).) The increased Population, Pollution, Litter, and traffic would make it almost impossible to cross the street let alone access the “amenities” that we are not asking for.

If the developer had visited the neighborhood, walked the streets, or spent any time with our neighbors he would have seen that our neighborhood is exactly that, OUR Neighborhood. We are friendly, welcoming, and safe. We know and watch out for each other, and each other’s children. We help each other when needed, and we wave at the bus drivers as they pass, and we know the school crossing guard. Our kids go out to play at each other’s homes and they do not have to go home when the streetlights are on because they are safe playing in each other’s front yards. Our neighbors care and depend on each other. Unlike the Developer for this project our neighbors did not “Grow up in the Real Estate Development business”, nor did our families “Develop or finance real estate projects in Florida for many years,” but WE are the experts on the Charleston Square, Portland Townhomes, Astoria Park, Hartsfield Hills, Talco Hills Neighborhoods as we live, own, rent reside and raise OUR families here.

Our Neighborhood is a family-oriented community with many children, pedestrians, and pets that frequently traverse the area. The current speed limit is often exceeded by motorists, putting the lives of our residents at risk. There are sidewalks on only one side of Nugget Lane. While the recent the installation of speed bumps on Portland Ave. has greatly enhanced the safety and well-being of our neighborhood, there is an ongoing issue of speeding vehicles within our community. There is still a high number of vehicles that travel at a high rate of speed when using our streets to pass through the area. The developer’s request to introduce another 255-800 vehicle daily increase (residents, visitors UPS postal and other unknown variables included in this calculation.) The residents that currently live in these neighborhoods will lose the safety and security that they have, and the children that you propose will be able to walk to the elementary school across the street will run the risk of being hit by one of the cars speeding around the curve to cut-through our neighborhood.

By signing this petition, we, the undersigned residents, and family and friends of residents of Charleston Square, Portland Townhomes, Astoria Park, Hartsfield Hills, Talco Hills, and other impacted Neighborhoods and respectfully request the following actions:

•  Conduct a comprehensive traffic study on Nugget Lane and Portland Ave. to assess the extent of the speeding issue and its impact on safety.
•   Based on the study’s findings, evaluating the feasibility of installing additional speed bumps at an appropriate location on Nugget Lane and Portland Ave.
• Collaborate with local law enforcement to monitor and enforce the speed limit once the speed bumps are installed.
• Prioritize the safety and well-being of the existing residents Charleston Square, Portland Townhomes, Astoria Park, Hartsfield Hills, Talco Hills, and other impacted Neighborhoods residents by taking prompt action to address our concerns.
• Most important, deny the request for rezoning of TRZ240011 - Located immediately south of Interstate 10, north of Portland Avenue, and approximately 1,200 feet west of Old Bainbridge Road (TAX ID# 2115206060000). 

We understand that any changes to infrastructure require careful consideration and planning. We also believe that this new development will impact the local stormwater and floodplains beyond what the local infrastructure can withstand the application to rezone this parcel will not meet the city’s commitment to promote safe and livable communities. We kindly request the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this matter further and share additional insights from our community. 

Thank you for your attention to this pressing matter. We look forward to your positive response and the potential improvement in the safety of our neighborhood.