At the Tuesday, March
26th Board of County Commissioners meeting, Gregg spoke out against a proposed
annexation by the Town of Haverhill.
He did so because on
Thursday, March 28th the Town of Haverhill is taking the first step in
considering a voluntary annexation request to annex into the town five (5)
parcels totaling 12.5 acres. These parcels are north of Wallis Road, and
roughly one-third of a mile west of Haverhill Road. While Gregg generally has
no issue with voluntary annexations, he does have a problem with what is
proposed here. The piece of land that the town wants to annex is separated from
the town by a canal. Annexing would create a portion that would not become
a unified whole with the rest of the town and its residents. There is no direct
connection to the town. The only pedestrian or vehicular access would be
through unincorporated roads. This proposed annexation would create a pocket or
finger area, which is inconsistent with Chapter 171 of the Florida Statutes.
Also of concern: the
reason for this annexation. Meritage Homes seeks to develop the land and build
100 townhomes. By becoming part of the town and upzoning the property, Meritage
is circumventing the county’s workforce housing requirement. “I think this is a
bad idea, and I would like to direct staff to oppose this annexation,” Gregg
said.
County planning staff
will reach out to the town to express the county’s opposition. We will keep you
posted on what happens next.