COMP 26-0006 (Meritage Homes)

Supported the density cut and conservation but warned retention ponds and fill dirt worsen flooding and fragment the Black Creek wildlife corridor.

Called the 34-44 foot lots a 'poison pill' incompatible with surrounding acreage homes and warned the site was historically wet.

Multi-generational farmer said runoff from 27 acres of rooftops and pavement would flood his farm, home and barn and those of at least four neighboring farms.

Realtor spoke in support, praising Meritage's build quality and the density reduction amid Clay County's growth.

Small-farm owner described post-deforestation flooding on flood zone X land and urged wetland and forest preservation.

Accused developers of holding the county hostage with a townhome threat and urged stronger wetland protections.

Former owner of the 52 acres; noted the back 40 was offered to the county conservation easement program and that grading has buried historic drainage.

Lives where the drainage crosses his property; demanded protection from flooding given Black Creek rose to his house in the last hurricane.

Said the parcel should stay conservation or small farms; cited road flooding, traffic on the dirt road, and evacuation problems.

Warned that paving over natural drainways is already causing flooding on Falcon Run Lane and cited nonexistent traffic infrastructure and evacuation routes.

Wants wetland alternatives explored and a traffic study done, saying Old Jennings traffic is already horrendous.

Corrected his earlier 50-foot stipulation to 45 feet, then described flooding from a nearby Meritage site and argued the development is out of character.

Said the subdivision would be out of place among ranch homes on large lots and asked the commission to protect what's left of country Middleburg.

A recent arrivals from Mandarin seeking rural life, she asked for a significantly lower-density alternative compatible with the area.

Submitted a card but simply endorsed the previous speaker's comments.

A lifelong-area resident who recounted rescuing neighbors by boat in Black Creek floods, and asked for proof the project won't increase flooding.

Waved to indicate she was also against the amendment and submitted a card.

Supported the reduced-density approach, noting the land already allows far more under the master plan, and suggested trading a few lots for overflow parking.

Argued expanded conservation means little next to high-density development and asked for a no vote, citing Middleburg's homesteading tradition.

Runs a small farm on Baxley Road and said runoff from the development would flood his ditch and fields, ending his ability to farm.

A Middleburg native who described fill dirt, shifting flood zones, and dead turtles at a nearby 7-Eleven pond, and asked the commission to slow high-density growth.

Said losing natural runoff would worsen flooding that already cut off her Country Meadows drive in the 2017 storm.

A professional auditor who called the 34-foot lots versus the CAC's 45-foot stipulation a red flag and said she'd vote no on infrastructure grounds.

Questioned what happens to the remaining 34 landlocked acres, and said conservation credits won't help since the flat land is already swamp — and opposed paving Sunrise Farms Road.