I am a second-year law student and lifelong Gainesville resident. I think you should publish some counterpoints to Travis Hornsby's column about city ordinances.
Until recently, a growing student population at the university has driven development in Gainesville. Because the UF student population has stopped growing, the city must now refocus its efforts on retaining students after they graduate.
We need jobs and we need a community that makes talented graduates want to stay. That is what Innovation Square and our land development code are all about.
Development regulation could certainly be streamlined in terms of procedure, but the substantial requirements of our planning documents reflect the type of community that I believe will attract and retain both businesses and our alumni. They reflect a shift from Cabana Beach to less auto-dependent projects like The Continuum in a vibrant downtown.
In Portland, Ore., a streetcar system stimulated more than $2 billion dollars in development within a redevelopment district. RTS is pursuing funding to establish a transit system in Gainesville. Can you imagine the impact of a streetcar route from downtown to campus along Southwest Second Avenue?
As for our taxes, Alachua County ranks below the state average in terms of total property taxes levied per capita. That is a fact that might be even more surprising in light of the fact that much of the most valuable property in the county - the UF campus - is off the tax rolls. Unlike many other counties in the state, Alachua County has no local option sales tax dedicated to transportation. We make up for that with a higher millage rate.
Our leaders in local government are taking the steps necessary to ensure continued economic growth in Gainesville. We should not allow that progress to be derailed by hyperbolic arguments and conspiracy theories.
Andy Coffey
second-year law student
