Ellie’s Notes – 3/1/2024
Hello Sun City Center,
If you have friends, neighbors, or associates that could benefit from our SaveSCC email blasts, please forward this communique to them. Anyone can sign up as a member and receive our email blasts by going to our web site and registering.
Fun Fest
Sun City Center Fun Fest – Saturday, March 9,2024, 9 -2, SCC Central Campus, 1009 N Pebble Beach Blvd. FREE park and ride from South Campus, 1910 S Pebble Beach Blvd.
This is a fabulous opportunity to support the community as a whole and have a great time. Visit with representatives of our local SCC Clubs and organizations, have some great food, make new friends and connections enjoy some entertainment.
Save Sun City Center will be there at booth 71, on the NW corner of the display tables by the shuffle board area and Needle Crafters.
If you have not signed our petition asking the Hillsborough County Commissioners to deny any development rezoning or permits for the SCC golf courses, this would be a great opportunity to do so.
We’d love to see you and address any questions you have. We’d also be happy to accept any donations in person or via our web site – SaveCCC.org.
We need volunteers to man our table so if you as so inclined, please contact Carol Hugill via email at cah5652@gmail.com and she’ll get you on the schedule
All my news that is fit to print.
Today seemed like a good time to change it up. I’ve been asked repeatedly if anything is happening with ClubLink and their development plans? Are our efforts are “dead in the water?” The follow-up question; what is the prognosis for success?
Just the facts, two simple points
ClubLink has not submitted their development plans or application to Hillsborough County. We continue to receive notices on all applications filed and there has not been one for ClubLink. They have no zoning approval to proceed. They could try to leverage the Live Local Act to bypass the normal process but there is no indication of that to date.
Only they know their plan and timeframe and they are not talking.
ClubLink was invited by Mike Blaine and his organization of Club Renaissance residents to a community meeting coming up in March but I doubt they will show and they have not responded to his certified notices to them.
In 2009 the Greater Sun City Community Plan was published after some 20 public meetings, much discussion and information gathering and many revisions. On the SSC website, go to the Community Plan to read it. The plan clearly states that green spaces will be protected and expanded if possible. Tied in with this statement is the wildlife, water conservation, adequate health services for community members, transportation and quality of life. This is in direct conflict with ClubLink’s desires. Thank goodness for the foresight of residents who were able to see into the future.
Second, the CA board is charged with protecting all existing stakeholders and not adopting contrary zoning codes to satisfy developers. In this case, the will of the people rules and additional revenue streams or an increased tax base should not come into play. As I interpret their mission, they are elected to guide and support the inhabitants of Sun City Center.
Strong and getting stronger every day
At the outset, our goal was to stand resolutely against obliterating more green space (golf courses) thereby protecting the investments of those who choose to settle in Greater Sun City Center. By taking this action, the wildlife, the clean environment, water usage, the roads, reasonable healthcare and the ability to be active would be safe from development and preserved for recreation use only in the future as needs and tastes change. This mission to protect our golf courses and green spaces will never change.
A group of extremely concerned citizens came together to try to block ClubLink’s unconscionable plan to close and development multiple courses in our community and block development of more than five hundred new homes on these properties (as if the area is not congested enough). We have a small active and committed group who are moving mountains, but we need more help if we are to ultimately succeed.
“Knowledge is power”
If you have a little time on your hands when not on the course, playing pickleball, going to CA Club activities, walking, running, at the gym, out with friends and family or vacationing, please join us. We specifically need good researchers and intelligent thoughtful individuals. Just email to us getinvolved@SaveSCC.org.
To understand what ClubLink is actually up to and how other efforts to develop have unfolded, Huron Bay, the Woodlands, and Palm Aire come to mind. We can learn from their strategies and mistakes and we will be ahead of the game. How does ClubLink operate in these situations and what signs do we need to watch for? Since the original plans were unveiled, we have not heard anything except the closure of Sandpiper last June 1, 2023. Can anyone find out what is going on? With seven golf courses at risk in one area, our community is very vulnerable as a potential goldmine for ClubLink. Are they working in secret, cutting deals to try to secure the agreement of the Zoning board and CA?
- In the past, the CA has made decisions regarding these courses without consulting the membership. We have new people on the board and want to know what they are thinking and doing? Is anything going on behind the scenes at the CA or are they just as much in the dark as we are? The ClubLink wagons are circling, and we need to be armed and ready for the fight.
- In the end, if and when we succeed, and ClubLink is prohibited from touching our courses, what happens? We must have a plan or options in place. If you are a strategic thinker and accustomed to long-range planning, please join our “we won, now what” committee or one of our other vital committees.
“ More hands make lighter work.”
The Live Local Development Act
https://commercialobserver.com/2024/01/florida-live-local-act-critics-affordable-housing/
So this is where we are. The signs are encouraging and we think right is on our side but we know nothing can be taken for granted. Keep encouraging friends and neighbors to sign petitions. There is much work to be done to load our quiver with facts and a compelling legal case against development. Preparation, good intelligence and well-conceived actions and plans are essential to our success.
While we have made great progress and are continuing to improve our information base, we still have much strategic work to accomplish.
Many of us will not rest until our community is safe but we are burned out, sick, and exhausted and need more people willing to serve. Help us keep pushing the boulder up the hill. I’m really tired and I need you!
If we fail to resist, others would be far too quick to go along and approve ClubLink’s plans. Please don’t let that be our fate. Get Involved Now!
ClubLink has too much to gain and we have too much to lose. This could be a long, protracted, and very resource (time, dollars and scope) intensive struggle. They spent over $10 million to pursue Glen Abby before giving up, what do you think they’ll do to have their way with 7 golf courses in one community?
Connect with us via email at GetInvolved@SaveSCC.org.
If it is to be, it is up to “we”! And you are part of “we”.
Ruthie and I will be out of the town cruising over the next two weeks but will be back and reinvigorated by mid-March.
All the best !
Ellie Anderson
312-282-7337