GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A proposed development near the edge of Paynes Prairie Preserve is igniting fierce backlash from residents who say it would bulldoze not just wildlife habitat, but the heart and history of their community.
Maronda Homes, LLC has filed a request to rezone 73 acres just off Southwest 13th Street in Alachua County to make way for 134 single-family homes.
The site, while privately owned, borders the northwest edge of Paynes Prairie, a protected ecosystem known for its scenic vistas and rich biodiversity. Residents fear this project, dubbed “Gainesville Preserve,” could unravel the environmental fabric of the area…