Six hours and no decision @ Alachua Planning Commission 2026-01-13

The City of Alachua Planning Commissioners seemed inclined to approve the Special Exception Permit for the Tara April detention ponds and trails next to I-75.

But after the applicant’s case was countered by the National Speleological Society (NSS) and others, the Commissioners seemed ready to deny.

However, at midnight the court recorder had to leave, so they had to adjourn until Tuesday, April 20, 2026, at 6 PM, also at Alachua City Hall, 15100 NW 142 Terrace, Alachua, FL 32615.

Get there early. It was standing room only this Tuesday, with some people outside the doors.

Six hours and no decision, @ Alachua Planning Commission 2026-01-13, They meet again about Tara April, and Mill Creek Sink, 6 PM 2026-01-20

You can see the relevant parts of the meeting (minus the other two items on the agenda) in this video by Richie Denmark for NSS:

https://youtu.be/g2yNv9MtRBY?si=dtbvAtyaEnXwmvVw

That video does not include the images projected by the various speakers. But I took stills of many of them, which you can see below.

The video starts with me photographing the Tara April Master Plan. You can see my photographs below.

Jsq Photographing Tara April Plans 2025-01-13 –Richie Denmark for NSS

Early in the meeting, the City’s own hired geological expert recommended extensive further study, and the Commissioners seemed likely to agree to get that done after they approved the Special Exception.

City’s Retained Expert, Michael Alfiere, PG, PHg, CGWP, 2026-01-13 –jsq for WWALS

Then a parade of cave divers from the National Speleological Society demonstrated the fragile conditions underground, for likely subsidence and for the native small aquatic animals and plants that clean the water.

Lineup of cave divers to object, 2026-01-13 –jsq for WWALS

The NSS attorney, Jane Graham, proceeded to demolish Tara April’s carefully constructed case.

Jane Graham, Esq., for the National Speleological Society, Inc., 2026-01-13 –Richie Denmark for NSS

Also, Tara April’s attorney had said that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) required detention ponds to intercept runoff from I-75.

Comprehensive Plan Consistency and FDOT, 2026-01-13 –jsq for WWALS

Three Alachua County Commissioners were present, including the Chairman. Someone who I think was their staff had a letter from FDOT saying they did not make such a requirement.

Numerous parties also objected. You may recognize many of them, such as Sara Younger at 3:38:48. She was there as someone on well water in High Springs.

As we’ve seen, High Springs is 12 days down the underground stream from Mill Creek Sink. A dye test in 2005 came up in Hornsby Spring, beyond High Springs, with a spring run to the Santa Fe River.

Figure 17. Study Area Results Map, 2006-06-07 –Karst Environmental Services
PDF

After six hours, the Commissioners seemed inclined to deny the application. Concerns included wanting to see more about the geology of the entire property, not just the sliver by I-75, and who is to pay for the various studies, preferably not the city.

But the court recorder turned into a pumpkin at midnight, which meant there would be no record in case of appeal. Therefore they adjourned until Tuesday.

If you are concerned about what goes into Mill Creek Sink and what comes out elsewhere, you may want to be there.

Sink, Mill Creek Sink, 2026:01:13 15:49:34, –jsq for WWALS 29.8010200, -82.5085104

Tara April Master Plan

I’ve rotated these maps so they all have north at the top.

Tara April Master Plan, 2025-11-04 –eda consultants inc.

Trails, Tara April Master Plan, 2025-11-04 –eda consultants inc.

Boundary and Topography Survey (1 of 3), Tara April 2022-12-23 –eda consultants inc.

Boundary and Topography Survey (2 of 3), Tara April 2022-12-23 –eda consultants inc.

Boundary and Topography Survey (3 of 3), Tara April 2022-12-23 –eda consultants inc.

There are more images below.

-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

Empty room half an hour early, 2026-01-13 –jsq for WWALS