A Brief Note on WECARE’s Federal Tax Status

Good News

West End Community Alliance for Recreation and Education (WECARE) is pleased to announce it is exempt from federal income tax status under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3).  Donors can deduct contributions under IRC Section 170.  As a public charity, WECARE is qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under Section 2055, 2106, or 2522.

WECARE is hoping you will consider donating to defeat any developer plans to change the zoning from Recreational to Residential on the West End Golf Course property and find a way to keep this property for Recreation.  A 9-hole golf course, driving range, hiking/biking trails, sports bar and grill, playground, education/event center, swimming/therapy pool are among the possibilities. 

Checks to: WECARE, 14260 W Newberry Rd. #129, Newberry, FL  32669.

GoFundMe: WECARE gofundme.com/f/yrj8c-wecare

Thank you for your help in this community effort.

Stephanie

WECARE Continues its Work to Provide Recreational Green Space for Alachua County

WECARE and FOWE continue to work on behalf of the citizens of west end and the County of Alachua to provide a recreational green space for golf/golf practice and various out-door recreational activities. An education/event center and sports bar and grill would also be a great addition to the approximate 75-acre recreational property.

Meetings between JBPro (developer representative) and the surrounding Home Owner Association Boards of Directors are ongoing. Several plans have been proposed, one of which included the developer leasing a 9-hole golf course, for one year. This plan was fraught with loopholes and uncertainties and was rejected.

Stay engaged at westendcare.org, Nextdoor, and WECARE GoFundMe. Any questions please email westendcare1969@gmail.com

Thank you all.

Keep Spreading the News!

Even though Mr. Sayed Moukhtara (developer) has not submitted an application to Alachua County Planning and Zoning to amend the Alachua County Comprehensive Land Use Plan and rezone the West End Golf Course property to Residential, the West End Community Alliance for Recreation and Education (WECARE) and Friends of West End (FOWE) continue our fight to keep the property zoning Recreational.

A 9-hole golf course with driving range, practice putting and chipping areas, a clubhouse with snack bar, education/event center for kids after school and senior programs, dog park, hiking/biking trails are some possibilities for this Recreational zoned property.   No, we will most likely not get everything we want BUT it is likely that we will get what the citizens of Alachua County want and need which is recreational green space in this extremely fast developing area west of I-75 up to the City of Newberry. 

Please continue to get everyone you know involved in this community effort by signing the petition, writing the commissioners, passing out brochures, watching the video, hosting a WECARE presentation and keeping up with the news on NextDoor, GoFundMe, Facebook and westendcare.org.  

Please email westendcare1969@gmail.com for additional information.

New Plans For West End Presented By Developer

Chris Potts, Dir. Of Civil Engineering, JBPro has been presenting various plans to members of the HOA Boards of the surrounding communities of the West End Golf Course property on behalf of developer, Sayed Moukhtara.  Another meeting will be held with the HOA Boards next week.  A list of questions has been given to Mr. Potts regarding the proposed plan.

One of the plans contains a 9-hole golf course and a park that would surround 138 homes from $500,000-$800,000.  On its face, this looks good for golfers and the community.  His plan, which has not been submitted to Alachua County Planning and Zoning, would continue to require changing the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the property zoning to Residential for the developed land and the rest would remain Recreational.  The developer plans to retain ownership of the entire property and lease the Recreational portion.  No details have been provided on the length of the lease, specific conditions and other criteria of the lease, how a lessee will be chosen, etc.  Other amenities proposed were a pool, dog park, playground, tennis courts.  It is not clear if these amenities would be strictly for the owners of the homes he proposes building on the property.

The Friends of West End (FOWE) and West End Community Alliance for Recreation and Education (WECARE) also have plans for this property that could include a 9-hole golf course, a two-tiered driving range, practice putting and chipping area, playground, dog park, education/event center for after school and senior programs, and a sports bar and grill, all for general public use.  We are committed to keeping this property zoning Recreational.

We need your support.  How You Can Help.  1) Sign the Petition-Change.org No Zoning Zoning for West End Golf Course.  2) Write/email County Commissioners bocc@alachuacounty.us cc: glb@alachuacounty.us  Gerry Brewington.  3) Donate to WECARE gofundme.com/f/yrj8c-wecare. Checks to WECARE 14260 W Newberry Rd., Newberry, FL  32669.   4) Post your questions and concerns on our Westendcare.org Blog.   5) Spread the word on your social networks.  6) Request a presentation for your community. Email westendcare1969@gmail.com.

West End Developer Has a New Plan

It isn’t over.  The developer has a new plan and the process will begin again.  I urge you to continue writing the Alachua County Commissioners, sign the petition, and contribute to GoFundMe WECARE.  WECARE has $19,479.69 for attorney fees, planner, and expert witnesses for the hearing before the BOCC.  I would like to see a minimum of $20,000.00.  Your support is critical to keep the West End Golf Course property zoning Recreational.

SAMPLE LETTER

Alachua County Commissioner
Anna Prizzia    aprizzia@alachuacounty.us
122 SSE 1st Street, 2nd Floor
Gainesville, FL  32601

Dear Commissioner Prizzia:

Please take into consideration how keeping the West End Golf Course property zoning Recreation will benefit all the communities in Gainesville, Jonesville and Newberry.  It is well known that Recreational green space Is the most cost-effective way to improve the health and quality of life for its citizens.  Smart growth preserves and enhance valuable natural and cultural resources, protects wildlife habitat, keeps the unique sense of community and place and takes in to account the mental and physical health of its citizens. 

The developer of the West End Golf Course property will probably cut down all trees and a unique Florida fern that only grows in sinkholes and cannot be transplanted.  The trees and vegetation on the property filter water, reduce pollution and flood risk, reduce temperature by as much as 10 degrees, provide oxygen and a habitat for butterflies, birds, turtles and other wild animals including deer.                                                                    

The proposed high-density development, of up to 700 residences, increases the risks of water pollution from oil and gas washing off paved surfaces.  Impervious surfaces such as concrete and pavement increases the potential for flooding and soil erosion.

I hope you will consider these factors and your love of out-door recreation and conservation when making your decision on the rezoning of the West End Golf Course property. Vote NO to amend the Alachua County Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2019-2040 and NO to change the zoning for the West End Golf Course property from Recreational to Residential.

Sincerely,

(Your Community)

Cc:  Gerry Brewington   glb@alachuacounty.us

A letter to the Gainesville Sun addresses the difficult driving conditions on Newberry Road

The Villages of West End and all the communities in the west end are experiencing increased traffic, road rage and accidents. Two-thousand homes are currently being built within two miles of the former West End Golf Course.

If the property zoning is changed to residential, up to 700 more residences could be built, which will make it extremely time consuming and frustrating to get to work at the University of Florida, hospitals, courts and prisons. 

Turning left onto Newberry Road is a daily gamble. Lower the odds of having an accident. Be patient, there will be a break in the traffic; wait for it. Be courteous to other drivers when leaving the neighborhood. Please do not double park in median, the first car out has the right of way and pulling out beside it makes it impossible for the driver to see if it is clear to move.

Be courteous and stay safe!

Stephanie Phillips, Gainesville

Attendance at recent WECARE meetings illustrates growing interest in keeping West End green

The Friday, July 23rd (Villages of West End Clubhouse) and Monday, July 26th (Arbor Greens Clubhouse) meetings of WECARE were very well attended. There were 65 people in attendance at the Arbor Greens meeting due to Casey Scott’s efforts to inform the community and reserve the clubhouse. A lively discussion followed Paul Hornby’s presentation.  Some topics discussed were: Interconnectivity roads into Arbor Greens, developer’s request for a meeting to present new plan and potential recreational uses for the property. Suzette Cooke’s article in the Main St. Daily News, “West End redevelopment application set to expire” is very informative.  Please take the time to read it!

Thank you for your support.