MAKE TALLAHASSEE AN "A" CITY!
POSTPONE AUGUST 26 PUBLIC HEARING
ON NORTH MERIDIAN CANOPY ROAD ANNEXATION
TO ALLOW TIME FOR THOROUGH DATA AND ANALYSIS

If your child was struggling in school and came home proudly announcing that they had met the bare minimum requirements and made a "C," you would be justifiably relieved. If your "A" student came home making the same announcement, understanding they were not living up to their potential, you would urge them to do better.

We urge the City of Tallahassee to do better. Agenda Item 11.01 for June 10 states that the annexation of more than 7,000 acres would not have a significant impact, as the land would remain rural. But for how long?

The only credible reason to annex this land is to undertake subsequent planning changes to significantly increase its development potential from the currently allowed 170 homes to thousands more. Meaningful analysis of the annexation must include parameters on the amount of development being allowed and/or sought to make an informed decision on whether annexation is appropriate.

Development of the property would have significant impacts on traffic on the already congested North Meridian Road, the already impaired water quality in Lake Jackson, and the cost to taxpayers for long-term maintenance of roads and other infrastructure serving the development for decades to come.

Making matters worse, the hallmark of sound urban planning is to demonstrate that new development is needed to accommodate population growth. Data from the planning department and the Department of Economic Vitality indicate that this goal will soon be reached from development in other parts of the city, meaning development in this area is not needed. Check out the analysis undertaken by Indian River County to determine the need for new development in their community.

PLEASE MAKE TALLAHASSEE AN "A" CITY, and follow the highest standards for planning, not a "C" community that barely skims by. We deserve better.

We urge Tallahassee Commissioners to postpone the August 26 Public Hearing on the proposed North Meridian Canopy Road annexation to allow time for thorough data and analysis prior to rendering a final decision on an issue that will shape our community for decades to come.