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Its has been awhile since my last post. But then very little has been happening either. Our new master developer is taking its time in announcing any new plans for the district. There have only been a few meetings in the last six months what with the holidays and all. So today's meeting was refreshing.

The current district engineer reported that in conversations with FDOT he had learned that the FDOT might look favorably on a request for a new traffic light between the IslandWalk and Gran Paradiso entrances. He also discovered that both developers had agreed to pay for a light at such time as it became necessary as a condition of getting their original permit for the current entry area and turn lanes. Our district manager will be sending a letter to Devosta and Lennar notifying them that a favorable review of a traffic light request by FDOT may now be possible, if they are willing to design and fund it. Looks like this ball will be in those two developers hands now!

At the next meeting on April 28th, the 3 finalists for the position of new district engineer will make 15 minute presentations to the Supervisors after which a contact will be offered to one of them. What happened to the old district engineer? Well, it seems they are now doing a lot of work for our new general developer who is represented by a majority of the current Board of Supervisor's, so it was decided last year to rebid the position and eliminate any possible conflict of interests.

Mr. Rossmann made a request that the board once again take up the issue of sod condition along US 41. All members kind of agreed that a sod replacement might be needed. Our new Operations Manager was tasked to coordinate with Devosta, Lennar, and Valley Crest to come up with the recommend sod variety, replacement locations, and cost. He will present options to the Supervisors at next month's meeting. It appears there is now a will to replace the sod with this new Board of Supervisors.

Todd Wodraska stated that the annual Land Owners meeting would be held on June 23rd. Seat 4 of the Board of Supervisors is up for re-election to a new 4 year term. Any interested US citizen may make written notice to Mr. Woodraska's office of their intention to be a candidate for this open seat. Such request must be made at least 30 days before the scheduled election date to be considered. The new supervisor will be elected by majority vote of the landowners, which means the current general developer who owns a majority of the land in the district!

I asked specifically about the Publix shopping center. Mr. Black said the original proposed location land was still owned by Fourth Quarter Properties and encumbered by debt and taxes. Our new general developer hopes to get approval for a 100 acre or so shopping center, along the North side of US 41, near the old proposed location. Time frame on that project is at least 18 months from now and still subject to approvals and permitting. So....don't hold your breath on this one just yet!

Next month's meeting should be interesting too with the presentations by the new district engineer candidates, and hopefully, a final decision on what to do with the grass along US 41.