Save the Celery Fields in Sarasota, FL

Save the fields

I'm a seasoned real estate practitioner with long ties to the area. The facility as proposed will have an incredibly detrimental effect on the values of literally thousands of nearby homes. This facility belongs in a different area. PLEASE don't allow this to be built here!

I am writing to tell you how concerned I am regarding (1) the proposed use of county land near the celery fields off of Palmer Blvd in East Sarasota County for industrial use and (2) use of this land for a Waste Processing Facility. Developers have asked you to approve industrializing a total of about 23 acres at the intersection of Apex and Palmer Boulevard. Two promising, sensitive areas lie near these lots -- The Celery Fields just east of Apex, and the adopted Fruitville Initiative Plan north of Palmer: The county apparently acquired this land about 1994. At that time there were only about 130 houses east of the Celery Fields that used Palmer as their primary access to the neighborhood. That is when the county decided to designate the land along I-75 for light industrial use. The current zoning is ”Open Use Rural” which allows no commercial use and requires 10 acres for one house. Since 1994, the County has allowed over 1,050 houses to be constructed along Palmer. (not including the Founder's Club, Laurel Oak, and Laurel Lake). Also approved is another 770 lots at the corner of Palmer and Iona Road - Artistry Development - that are in the process of development right now. The Celery Fields began as a regional stormwater project -- it cleanses water, protects against major floods, and manages our stormwater runoff before releasing it to Philippi Creek and Roberts Bay. Over time, this public property has evolved into a much loved and used park and recreational facility, and a bird sanctuary listed on the Great Florida Birding Trail, in national and international eco-tourism brochures and tours. The public properties proposed for industrial use at Apex and Palmer are at the edge of the Celery Fields. They should be held to a much higher level of public input and vision. And right nearby, you have a regionally significant example of this higher level of vision in the Plan for the public lands that contain the Fruitville Library. Years of effort on the part

NO DUMP

I cannot believe that we are fighting for basic common sense. This not only saves downtown Sarasota from flooding, it also should be federally protected because it in the home to BALD EAGLES!!

Please preserve the Celery Fields for future generations to enjoy!

Please vote no. This is not the right place to build this facility.

A true lack of planning on the County Planning commitee. Millions of dollars spent on making Celery Fields a beautuful and user friendly park. Now they want to undo EVERYTHING they built. Shame on them.

Save the feleryvfields please. We are overburdening our natural resources with more and more real estate development.

Please save the Celery Fields.

Please vote against this industrial recycling plant! There are so many other options for this property which would enhance this gateway to sarasota.

Save the fields!

NO WAY! NO HOW!!!! That would be the biggest disgrace next to the beach road incident. This county is ruining all that is good and beautiful!

This is an essential part of the community- to destroy it would be a crime!!

No to building anything out there

This would be a terrible location for an industrial recycling plant! The bird sanctuary at the Celery Fields is a treasure in our community, and the opportunity for family recreation is just too precious to lose. How can you even think of giving up this wonderful natural environment that we love so much.

Please leave our peaceful, quiet fields as is. Palmer blvd. cannot take anymore traffic at this intersection.

please don't destroy the celery fields. Have a heart and a conscience.

Please keep this beautiful

No more construction near the Cemery Fields. Save the Cemery Fields and wildlife.