Comparison of the Fieldstone Plan with the Rio Santiago Plan
In October 2003, the City Council on a 3:2 vote approved the 180-home Fieldstone plan (Exhibit 7). OPA supported this plan, but the Mabury Ranch neighborhood, the Santiago Creek Greenway Alliance and Orange Citizens for Parks and Schools (OCPS) opposed it due to the lack of sufficient open space, playing fields, preservation of Santiago Creek, and placement of homes in potentially hazardous areas.
Immediately following the Council’s approval of the Fieldstone plan, OCPS launched the City’s first referendum, collecting 9,016 signatures in less than 30 days of Orange registered voters opposed to the Fieldstone plan. The City Council, faced with this opposition to their prior approval, reversed their decision on a 5:0 vote, which effectively denied the Fieldstone plan.
Shortly after this denial, The Coalition Group was formed and meetings began with Fieldstone representatives to arrive at a plan acceptable to all concerned neighborhoods and organizations. To compare the Fieldstone plan with Rio Santiago plan, see Exhibits 7 and 8. In 2003, the Orange Park Association and the Orange Park Community Corporation were avid supporters of the Fieldstone plan even though it was in violation of the 1973 Orange Park Acres Specific Plan which identifies the eastern half of the Sully-Miller site as Open Space.
Orange Park Acres now opposes the Rio Santiago plan on the basis that 1) it does not conform to the 1973 Orange Park Acres Specific Plan, and 2) it will destroy their equestrian community lifestyle. It should be noted, however, that Rio Santiago will provide several miles of bike and equestrian trails in addition to preserving the existing 7.6-acre equestrian arena. It is difficult to imagine how these features will destroy the equestrian community lifestyle in OPA. A modern equestrian boarding stable is also being strongly considered for the west end of Rio Santiago; if this facility is built, it will serve not only OPA residents, but will be available to other horse owners in Orange County who need a place to board their horses.
