Questioning development projects in St. Cloud and along Pleasant Hill Road
Development: Good or Bad?
Dear Editor:
Development is good for the few who stand to gain financially, not so good for the rest of us. Where has that “small town” atmosphere gone? Osceola’s growth is out of control, impacting congestion, traffic, schools, infrastructure, water and sewer more demands on fire and police, and all of the items we are so painfully aware of.
Case in point, the county school district is selling 25 acres on the west side of Lakeview Elementary, currently under contract with Starlight Homes, to be called Heritage Crossing. Plans have been submitted to the St. Cloud Planning Department for 200 two-story town homes, including parking for 891 cars. Let that sink in. The school will be giving up the north end of their property so a road can cut through to Columbia — how would you like that if you lived on Columbia?
The other entrance will be at the end of Robinson — already the school pick-up line. This will cause even more congestion for the already concerning school traffic, also more student demand on the schools.
The area is zone single residential R1, R1A and R1B. Starlight will be asking re-zone to Planed Urban Development. The Land Development Code 3.4.3.C.2.A item 3, 7, 8 and 15 raise concerns about the impact and how this proposed development is not in line with this area. Starlight has retained the services of Akerman, a national land use development law firm. Let’s not let the rich and powerful have the upper hand.
We the people have only our willingness to get involved and do what’s right for our community, and hopefully the city council, with our input and concerns will listen and make the right decision for our community.
There’s a petition on Change.org where updates will be posted. When the property is close to the zoning request, there will be signs posted for the Public Hearing and then a date set for zoning. Please attend.
David Woods
St. Cloud
And on Pleasant Hill …
Dear Editor:
In reference to, “John Young Parking Lot” (Sept. 29), residents were tricked into moving along Pleasant Hill Road for the past 32 years. Commissioners and developers knew there was a problem with complete congestion, instead they continued onward with building up Poinciana and adding developments along Pleasant Hill Road.
Still, there is more construction going on now. They created this problem and greed was the driving force. Now they cannot fix the horrific rush hour traffic on John Young and Pleasant Hill, the worst congestion in the state.
Julia Olsen
Kissimmee
