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Macclenny, County Will Split Costs to Update 23A (Reprinted Article from Baker County Press)

Macclenny, county will split costs to update 23A

Posted on 12 April, 2006, by bcpress

BY MICHAEL RINKER
Press Staff

The simmering issue of who will foot the bill for improvements to County Road 23A nearly boiled over Tuesday night, but the respective leaders of Baker County and the city of Macclenny backed off before it became overheated. As a result, representatives from the two governing bodies will get together to decide what needs to be done and how the costs will be apportioned.
County commission chairman Alex Robinson was Tuesday’s meeting of the Macclenny city commission to discuss an interlocal agreement for improving the county road that is becoming increasingly overburdened by new developments located within the city.
At an earlier meeting, there’d been confusion over whether there was an agreement already in place, but as it turned out it was simply a “gentlemen’s agreement” under which the two agencies generally agreed to work together, according to Macclenny mayor Gary Dopson.
“It’s a county road but we realize we have responsibility there, too,” he said. “And we’ll take care of our responsibility.
“I don’t think we’re going to be hard-nosed about it.”
Mr. Robinson talked about whether the developers could be made to contribute. He was referring to Sands Pointe, Rolling Meadows, Broken Oak and Barber Plantation (planned for the former golf course property).
“Between four developers, they should be able to resurface 23A to 23B,” he said.
The mayor had pointed to the turn lanes promised by the Barber Plantation developers. Mr. Dopson sold the property to them last year.
Mr. Robinson, however, said, “those turn lanes aren’t helping the pitiful shape of 23A.”
The mayor then pointed out that traffic from increased development in the north county area will also burden the road.
He then appeared to become defensive, saying he wouldn’t accept Mr. Robinson putting the onus on the city.
“I didn’t say it was a city thing,” the commissioner responded.
The mayor responded, “I’m not willing to sit here and do all the county roads in the city.”
Mr. Robinson said “there must be a misunderstanding... I only mentioned four developments that have been incorporated into the city.”
Mr. Dobson, admitting he may have been “over sensitive,” said, “I’m not fussin’ with you.”
In a final exchange, he said, “I must have misunderstood.”
To which Mr. Robinson replied tersely, “You must have.”
The mayor suggested the city and county engineers might be able to develop a formula for how much each should pay.
In other action at Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners:
• Approved $20,000 for improvements to Railroad Avenue as part of the downtown revitalization project.
Area business owners, who are spearheading the effort, would like to see it converted to a two-way street with angled parking on the south side. Plans also call for landscaping and lighting.
“I’m very willing to use $20,000 to start ... to show our commitment to revitalization,” Mayor Dopson said.
• Advised Les Stone of LV Hiers that he should seek special exceptions rather than a blanket rezoning to make improvements to his property between Florida Avenue and McIver Street.
“It’s an eyesore to the community,” Mr. Stone said. “I’m only here to make it better... as pleasing as I possibly can.”
He wants to build office or warehouse facilities and was considering asking for the property to be designated light industrial.
“The neighbors might feel more comfortable that it’s not industrial,” said city manager Gerald Dopson.
Mr. Stone, who said he worked for the company 30 years and has owned it for about two, said he will make it more “community-oriented,” including landscaping and a barrier hedgerow.
• Had second readings for rezonings of the old county health department property (for a Walgreens drugstore) and the former golf course (the Barber Plantation development).
• Had the first reading of a rezoning ordinance that will allow American Enterprise Bank to build an office building on about a third of an acre on south Fifth Street just south of Macclenny Nursing and Rehab.
The rezoning – from residential to commercial – brings the parcel in line with adjacent property, according to the city manager.
• Changed the city’s port-o-let vendor from Farmer Johns to Pit Stop, contingent upon the company agreeing to provide handicapped-accessible units if the need arises.
Pit Stop actually charges a higher monthly rate – $57 versus Farmer Johns’ $55 – but it’s close enough that the city may choose the higher bid because the company is owned and operated in Baker County.
Farmer is based in Callahan.
• Heard from Sharon Boyett, who proposed the city build a walking trail. Commissioners expressed general support for the idea. Ms. Boyett will be part of a committee, along with Commissioner Richard Johnson, city manager Dopson and the city’s engineer and/or planner to investigate potential locations, the cost and possible grants to allay those costs.
• Accepted a $10,000 bid from Mitch Canaday to remove homes and debris from three properties condemned by the city – 683 Lewis Street ($3600), 522 Joan Street ($4200) and 531 Ninth Street ($2200).

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