TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — A controversial land development project is moving forward in Leon County.
Leon County Commissioners and Tallahassee City Leaders voted to accept the changes made to the Welaunee plan on how to develop the land between I-10, Centerville, and Miccosukee Roads.
People who support the plan said it "represents a holistic approach to balancing the needs of our community and environmental protections as well as public amenities."
Supporters also said housing is an important component of the economic development and growth of the area.
"Through this project, what we're looking for is to make sure there's minority participation," said Katrina Tuggerson, the president of the Capital City Chamber of Commerce. "This opens up the opportunity for technical jobs that people are no longer keeping in our community."
But many living near the proposed construction said they didn't want the changes.
"The destroying of the neighborhood," said David Jacobson, the president of Stonegate Neighborhood. "The road through Killearn to Centerville is what really upsets the Killearn neighborhood."
Like many of his neighbors, Jacobson says the proposed Welaunee Plan isn't welcome.
"We need good roads to alleviate the traffic and development," said Jacobson. "That's the major issue. We're not opposed to development, but we really want to see the roads handled to move the traffic better than they are right now."
About two dozen meetings this year alone have brought commissioners and the community together to find common ground.
