This item has been removed from the Leon County Commission meeting agenda.

Original Report

After a request from the Golden Eagle Homes Association (HOA), the Leon County Commission is set to approve the Leon County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) jurisdiction over traffic enforcement within the Golden Eagle neighborhood.

Golden Eagle is a private community located north of Bannerman Road and west of Thomasville Road in northeast Leon County.

In July 2023, staff was contacted by the HOA regarding options that would allow State traffic laws to be enforced by local law enforcement on the private roads within Golden Eagle.

Pursuant to State statute, the LCSO does not have traffic control jurisdiction over private roads. However, Section 316.006(3)(b), Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides that a county may exercise jurisdiction over the private roads in the unincorporated area of the county if the county and the party owning or controlling the private roads provide for county traffic control jurisdiction by a written agreement approved by the board of county commissioners.

The law further requires that the county consult with the sheriff prior to entering into such an agreement.

According to the agenda item, LCSO has been consulted and has agreed to enforce State traffic control laws upon execution of an agreement.

On August 2, 2023, the HOA Board of Directors voted to adopt a resolution to have state traffic laws enforced by LCSO within the Golden Eagle
Community and authorized the County and LCSO to proceed with the development of an agreement.

Under the agreement, the County will not assume any maintenance responsibility. Maintenance, repair, and signage associated with the private
roads remains the sole responsibility of the HOA. The HOA will also be responsible for installing any stop or speed limit signs the County determines necessary to enhance traffic safety within the subdivision.

The agreement does not entitle the HOA to any specific level of law enforcement presence or activity within the subdivision. LCSO will provide the same level of traffic enforcement in the Golden Eagle Community as to the general public. Specifically, LCSO will determine the allocation, disposition, assignment, and function of law enforcement within the subdivision based on its established prioritization criteria for any such speeding or other traffic related complaints.

The HOA may, however, request to employ off-duty LCSO deputies for traffic
enforcement during a specified period. If LCSO authorizes off-duty deputies to provide this extra level of enforcement, the Golden Eagle HOA will be responsible for payment for these services based upon a rate negotiated with LCSO. The provision of such services would be addressed in a
separate agreement between the HOA and LCSO. As such, the County would not be involved in the negotiation or payment of any of these services.

The item will considered by the Leon County Commission on September 12th.

There were five seats up for election, with two incumbents on the ballot. Both incumbents – Gloria Arias and Michael Flemming – ended up losing.

Assuming the unofficial count will be accepted, the five candidates that received the most votes were Luke Brown (640), David Hoodenpyle (603), Paul Munyon (565), Jeff Graverholt (484), and Susan Dickerson (458).

Pending the certification of the results, these five candidates will serve three year terms spanning 2021-2023.

In addition, Danielle Irwin, who was previously appointed to an unexpired term was confirmed by majority vote.

The current members who were not up for election and will remain on the board are Carla Gaskin Mautz, Steve Givens, and Charles Faircloth.

During the last two years a number of high profile and controvesial issues came before the KHA. The issues included the transition of the Killearn Golf and Country Club and the possible sale of community property.

However, no issue was bigger than the proposed Northeast Gateway which was designed to link Killearn Estates to the future development in Welaunee Plantation. The contentious issue was just recently resolved through a compromise, but the fallout from the issue included the KHA being openly critical of Leon County Commissioner Bryan Desloge. In fact, the KHA took the unusual step of endorsing his opponent Brian Welch who went on to win the November 3rd election.

The election results will be reviewed by the KHA board at a meeting scheduled on December 1st.

KGP is headed by Jimmy Graganella and Ron Tolliver.

According to KGP, the group is nearing its goal of raising $3.5 million dollars, which will be used over two years to rebuild facilities, add amenities, grow membership and make golf course improvement.

During the first week of offering investment opportunities, Killearn members have invested approximately $650,000 and more is expected.

“I could not be more proud of Killearn’s members,” said Graganella.  “They have shown incredible patience and loyalty through the worst period in the Club’s history.  Now, they are making significant financial commitments vital to the Club’s future.”

KGP still expects to close on the purchase of Killearn from current owner, Barton Tuck of Greenville, SC, in April.

During the construction period of approximately 24 months, the club is inviting non-members to play golf and learn about our future plans.

The private offering is expected to close before the end of February.  Anyone interested in receiving investment information should contact Killearn Country Club at 850-893-2186.

The latest concerns being voiced come from neighborhoods on the southeast corner of Thomasville Road and Kerry Forest Parkway in Northeast Tallahassee.

An eight acre mostly wooded parcel which has been home to a church for years is up for rezoning to facilitate the development of a commercial center.

Property records show the parcel is currently owned by Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tallahassee, Inc.

As the picture below shows, the parcel borders two small neighborhoods, Mint Hill and St. Ives.

The proposed application is for a non-residential mixed-use development allowing up to 25,000 square feet per acre and 200,000 square feet per parcel of commercial and office land uses.

The application states that the parameters of the development includes a 50-foot buffer along Thomasville Road and a 30-foot buffer along St. Ives Lane.

Despite these buffers, residents are concerned about the impact of the rezoning on their neighborhoods.

Signs have been placed around the neighborhood voicing opposition to the plan and an online petition has been started to mobilize forces.

So far the petition has gathered 35 signatures and 17 comments.

Concerns gleaned from the comments focus on traffic issues. For example, Abbey Derby writes:

As a St Ives homeowner, I oppose the rezoning of this parcel. I’m pretty sure my tenants will not appreciate the increase of traffic in their neighborhood. The neighborhood needs the buffer of trees from Thomasville Road to keep the noise levels down. We want St Ives to remain a calm place to take a walk where people can let their children play in the street!

And Rita Stevens adds:

We are against spot zoning which is exactly what this appears to be. The only adjacent property is a residential neighborhood which has no other outlet besides the small road which will now be shared with this shopping center. When we bought our house in St. Ives, we loved the fact that our street had one outlet. If this rezoning gets approved, the one outlet will be a detriment to our neighborhood because we will be fighting traffic just to enter our residential street. Please reconsider. Imagine if this was your neighborhood.

The petition can viewed here.

The intersection of Kerry Forest and Thomasville has become a major thorough fare in the area.

To the west, the intersection provides access to retail destinations like WalMart, Starbucks and Rummies. The road also provides access to Bull Run, Ox Bottom Manor and ultimately connects to Merdian Road.

To the east, Kerry Forest Parkway  provides access to retail businesses which includes Red Elephant, Beef O’Brady’s and El Jalisco. The road also provides access to Killearn Acres and Killearn Estates.

A similar parcel across Thomasville Road was recently developed. That commercial center includes a dentist office, a mattress store, and a space which is currently vacant.

Check back for updates.