In Florida, a bid to add 1,700 acres near Lake Jackson to Tallahassee’s boundaries is no longer moving ahead, after sustained pushback from neighbors, environmental advocates, and Leon County officials who warned about traffic and pressure on sensitive waterways.
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Developer Jeffrey Phipps has withdrawn his application to bring five parcels into the city through voluntary annexation, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. A letter dated August 24 from attorney Gary Hunter to City Attorney Amy Toman asked that the request no longer be considered.
The property is in the Lake Jackson Aquatic Preserve, north and east of Mallard Pond and Carr Lake, and lies west of North Meridian Road, the protected canopy route that already backs up during rush hour, the publication noted. The acreage also includes Orchard Pond Parkway, the private toll road Phipps built.
To Vivian Young, special projects director emeritus for 1000 Friends of Florida, the decision marked a major win for local residents…