Agenda Item Name:
Title
Public Hearing to consider designation of Tuscawilla Road as a Scenic Road Corridor, in accordance with the requirements of Article IX, Chapter 405 of the County ULDC
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Presenter:
Kathleen Pagan
Description:
Consider designation of Tuscawilla Road as a County scenic road corridor. The designation may include the following:
a.Description and location of the corridor and popular name;
b.Maximum weight limit to be set, if any;
c.Speed limit to be set, if any;
d.Description of the protected area; and
e.Any other special limitation, restriction or use not covered above which may be imposed along the scenic road corridor.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Hold the public hearing and approve the staff recommendation of the designation of Tuscawilla Road as a County Scenic Road corridor, by adopting the attached Resolution designating the scenic road
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Prior Board Motions:
Approved the Staff request to advertise the public hearing on February 23, 2021
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
Ad for public hearing (est. $400 account: 149.79.7910.541.49.04); Initial Cost of Scenic Road signage (estimated at $300-$400 account: 149.79.7910.541.53.00); Public Works cost of Road Maintenance per scenic road guidelines which is expected to have minimal fiscal impact due to road already being county maintained.
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Background:
The County received a request from a citizen to designate Tuscawilla Road as a County Scenic Road. The criteria and process for such a designation are included in ULDC ARTICLE IX. - SCENIC ROAD CORRIDORS OVERLAY. On February 23, 2021, the BoCC received a Staff Report and associated presentation providing information to address Sec. 405.41. (Procedure for designation); Sec. 405.35. (Guidelines for designation); and Sec. 405.36. (Specific criteria for designation). There was a motion to direct Staff to advertise a Public Hearing to consider the designation of Tuscawilla Road as a County scenic road, and the motion passed unanimously.
Regarding the history of the area, a document is attached on the Second Seminole War Battle of Micanopy, provided by Dr. Chris Monaco of the local non-profit Micanopy Trust for Historic Forts and Battles. This states that the present-day S.E. Tuscawilla Road closely correlates with the historic Fort King Road. On February 8, 2021 the Alachua County Historical Commission (ACHC) provided a letter of support for the Gulf Archaeology Research Institute’s submission of their grant application to the American Battlefields Protection Program. If funded by the National Park Service this grant will allow the study, analysis, and evaluation of significance of the Micanopy Battlefield, Micanopy, Alachua County, Florida. It is the understanding of Historic Commission Staff that this grant will provide for a formal battlefield study to ascertain boundaries, content, and context sufficient to describe the conduct of the battle and its protagonists. The study will result in a detailed written report that describes in text and graphics all the tasks involved, and the findings sufficient to support the development of a battlefield protection plan as well as a nomination of the battlefield to the National Register of Historic Places. The battlefield protection plan and National Register nomination will provide tools for the Town of Micanopy and partners in providing the protection warranted for this significant site from future impacts and a context for its interpretation and public use. These goals are necessary to preserve and protect this significant battlefield site, its role in the Second Seminole War, its importance to the Seminole Tribe, and Micanopy’s place in the historic context of Territorial Florida.