County officials continue listening tour

Community members discuss the county's Comprehensive Plan.
Photo Submitted by Kristian Thomas.

Leon County officials have been on a listening tour as they work to update their Comprehensive Plan. County commissions and others are looking to residents to tell them what they would like to see in their communities and neighborhoods.

Late Monday, county officials shared their five-step plan with the residents of the Bradfordville area in a workshop designed to hear the concerns of community members.  The plan is broken into five stages for the Bradfordville area in the northeast region of the county. Each goal advances the community but the focus of this week's workshop focused on land use and mobility.

Everything was up for discussion including topics like housing, diverse populations and a robust economy. All being a goal for this extensive and thorough plan.

Commissioner Rick Minor said what he has been hearing from residents in Leon County about the future of the area.

“One thing I’ve been hearing a lot of over the last several months has been a desire for more affordable quality housing, people that are looking for homes between $150,000 and maybe $210,000 there is not a lot of housing stock within that range,” Minor said.

Minor, elected in November, continued addressing the concern of safety: “That and neighborhoods where people can feel safe, that’s one thing I’ve heard a lot about.”

Judy Stone, a Bradfordville resident since the ’70s, has had a change of heart toward the ongoing growth in her community as the city makes the area more urban.

“In the beginning I really liked the rural aspect and so when Publix was getting ready to come and Target and some of those I kind of petitioned against the growth because I was raising young children. But I have found that Publix is pretty convenient, so I understand there are things that meet people's needs,” Stone said.

Eva Armstrong, a local real estate agent, took a great deal of interest when it came to zoning.  

“We’ve got a very diverse population, but a very well educated you know with the two universities, community college and state government. You know there’s no lack of creative talent in this arena. It’s just a matter of planning ahead, then we might be able to anticipate and avoid problems that will come if we don’t,” Armstrong said.

Planning is the key word. The Comprehensive Plan outlines the upward movement projection of these communities through 2045. Although the plan’s execution may have a lengthy time frame residents do see the city and county footprint in their community. This adds to the wealth of the Tallahassee economy, and it can’t be done without the help of residents.

“We really want your input, this is really the best time for us to start talking about, what we want to be in the next 10, 20, 30 years. Now is the time to get involved,” Commissioner Minor said.