GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Residents were invited to make suggestions after getting a revised peek at Green Cove Springs’ ever-changing long-range plans during a public workshop Thursday, May 6, at the Clay Theatre.

As rampant development continues expand the needs of southern Clay County, city officials are constantly challenged to keep up with growth – all while trying to maintain Green Cove Springs’ small-town atmosphere. Comprehensive plans are a city’s blueprint for growth and development over a 20-year horizon, said city planning and zoning director Michael Daniels. It maps out where the city wants to go, and it helps guide major decisions, especially development projects.

According to the proposed plan, the goal was to develop land use programs to provide the most appropriate use of the land and direct growth to suitable areas while protecting the public, health, safety and welfare – all while embracing natural environmental features, such as topography, soil conditions, vegetation, natural drainage areas, wetland and aquifer recharge areas.

“We’re at the fact-finding side,” Daniels said. “We’re looking at all of the analysis of what our growth rate is going to be, and to get as much input as we can from the public and elected officials.

“We have a plan. The original plan was adopted back in 2005. We updated it in [2011], but anytime you make wholesale changes to a comprehensive plan, one of the most important parts to doing that is making sure the public is involved, to voice any concerns, any opportunities or ideas what they want to see moving forward.

“We want to make sure the plan we come up with are consistent with the city’s values.”

As the Green Cove Springs corridor continues to grow, the need to make adjustments to the comprehensive plan will be a work in progress, residents learned.

“This is not just Anywhere, USA,” Tyjeski said.

The project group of team manager Pat Tyjeski, senior planners Chris Dougherty and Terrance McKlosi and planners Nick Hill, Jalisa Harris and Katie Martin worked with S&ME to revise the current plan. Together they concluded the city’s greatest challenges were annexation, drainage, Reynolds Industrial Park redevelopment, population growth and downtown. They also reported historic landmarks, development regulations, complete streets, downtown and trail planning were among Green Cove Springs’ greatest assets.

Another problem, now and in the future, is parking in the in the busy downtown Central Business District, as well as growing traffic along U.S. Highway 17 through the middle of town.

Just last week, the city council learned last week the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization an $80,000 study has been earmarked for U.S. 17 (Orange Avenue).

As the area grows, so will the challenges.

“There are some areas we are really focusing on for the city. We know there’s a tremendous amount of growth that’s going to affect, not only the city, but the county around us, which still has a big impact on the city,” Daniels said. “Some of the areas that we really focused on has been ensuring that the City of Green Cove Springs is a destination. It already is, especially with Spring Park, but we want to build on Spring Park and creating that sense that you’ve arrived. The big part of that is looking at the built environment, especially in the downtown area.”

Residents were shown comprehensive plans now in place for similar-size towns like Mt. Dora, Clewiston and Winter Garden in Florida, and Alpharetta and Roswell, Georgia.

“They really have thriving, successful downtown areas,” Daniels said. “What are some of the components that make them successful? Part of that discussion is architectural considerations, part of that is also creating some areas that are very pedestrian friendly. You have a lot of outside cafes. We have tables on the street. [We want to] create an inviting festive downtown area that’s going to be very appealing for people to come in.”

Another important component to moving forward is protecting the city’s rich historic past, including the Historic Triangle which includes the 1894 Old Jail and 1889 Courthouse, along with iconic churches like St. Mary’s Episcopal and First Presbyterian churches.

Most agreed the greatest challenge will be managing growth. Just last week, GreenPointe Developers, LLC has purchased approximately 290 acres, located along Sandridge Road, to develop Granary Park, a new recreation-rich single-family home community located in one of the area’s fastest growing corridors. Once completed, the development will feature 770 homes.

While Granary Park isn’t inside the city limits, residents there will contribute to the area’s economy – and congestion.

“We’re also looking at our roadways, looking at improving our gateways into the city. We’re working with the state on potential changes to U.S. 17 through the city,” Daniels said. “Potentially we can look at narrowing some of the lanes and providing for greater sidewalk width, with decorative lighting and landscaping through the city. We want to create a destination. Once you come into Green Cove Springs, you’re kind of in another location, a unique setting. That’s something we have to look very closely at.”

Daniels said Green Cove Springs plans to connect many of its greatest resources with a trail that will extend from the southern city limit to Fleming Island.

“Another think is a connecting trail throughout all of the city – all the way from the Shands Bridge, which of course is going to be replaced by the First Coast Expressway [in 2029] and along the river path, connect through Reynolds Park and go through Spring Park, and then go all the way up through the north city limits and Fleming Island and beyond. Getting a trail is another key element,” he said.

The next public workshop is in August, Daniels said. City officials invite residents to read the PowerPoint comprehensive plan at the city’s website, www.greencovesprings.com.